Duke University, Social Science Research Institute
Position ID:
Duke-SSRI-MIDSAAP [#31661]
Position Title:
Adjunct Assistant Professor
Position Type:
Non-regular rank faculty
Position Location:
Durham, North Carolina 27708, United States of America
Subject Area:
Appl Deadline:
(posted 2026/02/09, listed until 2026/06/28)
Position Description:
Position Description
Position Description: The Duke Master of Interdisciplinary Data Science (MIDS) program invites applications for an Adjunct Assistant Professor position with expertise in Natural Language Processing (NLP) and teaching. The successful candidate will be able to teach a core class in the MIDS curriculum that covers Natural Language Processing (NLP) methods, including Large Language Models (LLMs). MIDS is a two-year degree program offering a substantive educational experience, not simply a data science credential. The MIDS curriculum is designed to support students from different educational and technical backgrounds, including asynchronous summer review modules, a three-week, in-person programming boot camp, and a fall level-up for students with less experience with programming for data science. Cohorts are limited to about 50 students per year, and classes are structured around authentic team- and project-based learning opportunities with extensive student feedback and close attention to the communication and collaboration skills crucial to effective teams. The class is cross-listed with Duke’s Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) department within Duke’s School of Engineering. The NLP class to be taught will also be populated by students within this school. Electrical & Computer Engineering is a broad engineering discipline dealing with the processing, control, and transmission of information and energy, systems theory, and computational hardware and software. ECE students are encouraged to develop synergies with disciplines outside of engineering. The candidate should have demonstrated expertise in Natural Language Processing (NLP) and teaching. They should have the ability to teach both classical statistical methods and modern “black-box” approaches, including neural networks, retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), and model fine-tuning. The candidate should have the ability to instruct and mentor master’s students in data science and engineering on effective problem framing for NLP tasks, rigorous model evaluation, the design of end-to-end algorithmic workflows, assessment of methodological trade-offs and challenges, and the implementation of NLP systems using high-level programming languages. The successful candidate will also have demonstrated experience teaching and mentoring students from diverse backgrounds, skillsets, and technical abilities. The term of this appointment is from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2028, with an opportunity for renewal. Applicants should submit a letter of interest describing their research and teaching agenda, in no more than three pages, along with a curriculum vitae. Preferred Qualifications: • Ph.D in a related field • Experience working with data-driven problems • Experience in Natural Language Processing • Teaching experience and organizing class logistics • Experience as a mentor Duke is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to Duke is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunities without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status. Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values. Essential Physical Job Functions: Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department. Application Materials Required: Submit the following items online at this website to complete your application: Curriculum Vitae Letter of Interest Evidence of Teaching ExcellenceDuke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, (including pregnancy and pregnancy related conditions), sexual orientation, or military status.
Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.
Application Materials Required:
Submit the following items online at this website to complete your application:
- Cover letter
- Curriculum Vitae
- Letter of Interest
- Evidence of Teaching Excellence
- Reference (no actual letters, just names and email addresses
)
And anything else requested in the position description.
Further Info: