University of Connecticut, Graduate School

Program ID:UConn-Graduate School-495392 [#18921, 495392]
Program Title: Faculty Director, Data Science Program
Program Type:Tenured/Tenure-track faculty
Location:Storrs, Connecticut 06269, United States [map] sort by distance
Subject Area: Data Science
Appl Deadline: finished (2021/07/09, finished 2022/02/26, listed until 2021/08/23)
Description:    

*** this program has been closed and new applications are no longer accepted. ***

INTRODUCTION

The University of Connecticut (UConn) is pleased to invite applications for the Director of the Master in Data Sciences program 

The MS in Data Science is a new interdisciplinary 30 credit hour program drawing on courses and faculty expertise from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, School of Engineering, School of Business, College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources, and the Neag School of Education. The program is designed both for recent graduates with diverse undergraduate academic backgrounds who have an interest in applied data science and for working professionals who are looking to develop a career as a data scientist. 

The Director will possess broad data science knowledge, strong scholarly credentials, leadership experience, and exceptional communication and interpersonal skills to lead the vision of the new Data Science program at UConn. The Director will manage and oversee all academic aspects of the program with consultation from a Faculty Steering Committee and will provide guidance for administrative operation with oversight by a Deans Advisory Board. The successful candidate will have an interest in supporting emerging opportunities in the field of data science, developing strong partnerships with employers, and pursuing innovative workforce development opportunities.  

As a default, 50% of effort will be allocated to the direction of the program, with the exact percentage set to ensure sufficient effort allocated to ensure the success of the program both at its start and in its ongoing successful operation. The remaining level of effort will be allocated to teaching in the program and other duties to be specified at the time of hire in the home department. The exact distribution of these responsibilities will be determined at the time of hire, based on the needs of the program and the individual’s unique interests and qualifications.  

The Director will hold an appointment as a full-time faculty member (instructor, in-residence, tenure-track, or tenured) hired by the Provost’s Office with a home department in one of the Schools/Colleges at UConn. The Director’s faculty appointment will remain within a department appropriate to their field and their other time commitments as director and/or as a faculty member in their home department (e.g., research, departmental service) will be determined at the time of hire in consultation with the relevant Dean and Department Head. Depending on the academic discipline of the director, a component of their teaching responsibility may be in one of the program’s core courses. 

For their role as Director, this individual will report to the Provost’s Office (Dean of the Graduate School) with all decisions regarding the appointment and renewal as director made in consultation with the Deans Advisory Board. All aspects of the individual’s role that fall outside of their role as director will be overseen by the Dean of the director’s academic home.  

The successful candidate, in their faculty role, will be expected to contribute to research and scholarship through extramural funding (in disciplines where applicable), high-quality publications, measured through citations, performances, and exhibits (in disciplines where applicable), and national recognition such as honorific awards. The successful candidate will share a deep commitment to effective and innovative graduate-level instruction,  and the mentoring of students in research, outreach, and professional development. Successful candidates will also be expected to broaden participation among members of under-represented groups; demonstrate through research, teaching, and/or public engagement the commitment to, and support of, diversity in the learning experience; integrate multicultural experiences into instructional methods and research tools; and provide leadership in developing pedagogical techniques designed to meet the needs of diverse learning styles and intellectual interests. 

Founded in 1881, UConn is a Land Grant and Sea Grant institution and member of the Space Grant Consortium. It is the state’s flagship institution of higher education and includes a main campus in Storrs, CT, four regional campuses throughout the state, and 13 Schools and Colleges, including a Law School in Hartford, and Medical and Dental Schools at the UConn Health campus in Farmington. The University has approximately 10,000 faculty and staff and 32,000 students, including nearly 24,000 undergraduates and over 8,000 graduate and professional students. UConn is a Carnegie Foundation R1 (highest research activity) institution, among the top 25 public universities in the nation. Through research, teaching, service, and outreach, UConn embraces diversity and cultivates leadership, integrity, and engaged citizenship in its students, faculty, staff, and alumni. UConn promotes the health and well-being of citizens by enhancing the social, economic, cultural, and natural environments of the state and beyond. The University serves as a beacon of academic and research excellence as well as a center for innovation and social service to communities. UConn is a leader in many scholarly, research, and innovation areas. Today, the path forward includes exciting opportunities and notable challenges. Record numbers of undergraduate applications and support for student success have enabled the University to become extraordinarily selective. 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

Responsibilities as Director include: 

  • Developing working relationships with the department heads, faculty, and staff of all departments involved in the program. 
  • Developing working relationships with industry partners and cultivating relationships with other key stakeholders through the UConn Foundation and through school or college industry engagement committees. 
  • Ensuring that courses are staffed appropriately and that department heads support staffing commitments. 
  • Developing student recruitment strategy and coordinating student recruiting efforts. 
  • Identifying key performance indicators and developing a program evaluation plan to assess enrollment success, student success, and placement success.  
  • Advancing goals of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion throughout all aspects of the program including coordination with the Office of Diversity & Inclusion as well as relevant representatives and units at the school/college level. 
  • Consulting with the Faculty Steering Committee and Deans Advisory Committee to ensure alignment of course learning outcomes into measurable program learning outcomes. 
  • Consulting with the Faculty Steering Committee and Department Heads to develop program course schedule, including core and elective courses, and including in-person and online modalities. 
  • Evaluating curriculum and program structure on a regular basis to ensure program value proposition and program goals are being met. 
  • Convening regular meetings of the program faculty and the Faculty Steering Committee to enhance coordination and collaboration and to address academic issues as they arise. 
  • Establishing and convening regular meetings of the Industry Advocacy and Consultancy Board to ensure appropriate alignment with industry/employer trends and needs.  
  • Overseeing the program budget and making budget-related decisions related to staffing, marketing/promotion, and day-to-day program operation. 
  • Direct supervision of administrative staff, resolving personnel and workforce issues, and providing regular feedback and evaluation of performance.  
  • Overseeing the development of a program website that includes all relevant information, including program objectives, expected outcomes, support available for students, etc.  
  • Preparing comprehensive analysis and reports in key areas of budget, enrollment, placement, and other critical program outcomes. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

  1. To be considered for the faculty rank of instructor, applicants will possess an M.S. in related fields. To be considered for the faculty rank of assistant, associate, or full professor, applicants will possess a Ph.D. or terminal degree in related fields. Related fields include computer science, data science, engineering, information technology, mathematics, statistics, or closely related fields. Candidates with an advanced degree from other fields with substantial experience and technical expertise in data science will also be considered. Equivalent foreign degrees are acceptable.  
  2. Proven industry-based or academic research and/or distinguished industry experience, as well as a strong commitment to excellence in teaching, instruction, or coaching 
  3. Demonstrated evidence of using data science skills in solving real-world problems.  
  4. Research, teaching, or prior industry experience with a deep commitment to the use of data analytics for promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion. 
  5. Demonstrated excellence in written and oral communication about complex topics with proven experience interacting effectively with members of diverse constituencies. 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS 

  1. At least 5 years of experience in academia or industry, using data science skills in solving real-world problems and demonstrating successful collaborative leadership and consensus building in the completion of projects or initiatives that welcome diverse perspectives.  
  2. Commitment to effective teaching and an ability to involve students in applied research, problem-based learning, and/or provide them with industry-based experience. 
  3. The ability to contribute through research, teaching, and/or public engagement to the diversity and excellence of the learning experience. 
  4. Demonstrable experience applying sound judgment and political acumen in the administration of an interdisciplinary program or initiative.  
  5. Demonstrated business acumen in allocating resources and managing budgets; prioritizing and balancing the needs of administrative professionals, faculty, students, advisory boards, industry partners, and other stakeholders.  
  6. Working knowledge of higher education program management, particularly student enrollment, curriculum development, and other academic issues. 

APPOINTMENT TERMS 

This is a full-time, 10-month, faculty position (instructor, in-residence, tenure-track, or tenured) with an anticipated start date of October 22, 2021. The successful candidate’s academic appointment will be at the Storrs campus. Faculty may also be asked to teach at one of UConn’s regional campuses as part of their ordinary workload. Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. 

TO APPLY 

Please apply online to Academic Jobs Online https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/18921 and submit the following application materials: 

  • A cover letter, 
  • Curriculum vitae, 
  • Research and scholarship statement (innovative concepts that will form the basis of academic career, experience in proposal development, mentorship of graduate students, etc.); 
  • Teaching statement (including teaching philosophy, teaching experience, commitment to effective learning, concepts for new course development, etc.); 
  • Commitment to diversity statement (including broadening participation, integrating multicultural experiences in instruction and research and pedagogical techniques to meet the needs of diverse learning styles, etc.); 
  • Writing samples, journal articles, or books 
  • Contact information for three (3) professional references. 

Evaluation of applicants will begin August 9, 2021. 

At the University of Connecticut, our commitment to excellence is complemented by our commitment to building a culturally diverse community. 

Employment of the successful candidate is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background check.  

This position will be filled subject to budgetary approval. 

All employees are subject to adherence to the State Code of Ethics which may be found at http://www.ct.gov/ethics/site/default.asp. 

The University of Connecticut is committed to building and supporting a multicultural and diverse community of students, faculty and staff. The diversity of students, faculty and staff continues to increase, as does the number of honors students, valedictorians and salutatorians who consistently make UConn their top choice. More than 100 research centers and institutes serve the University’s teaching, research, diversity, and outreach missions, leading to UConn’s ranking as one of the nation’s top research universities. UConn’s faculty and staff are the critical link to fostering and expanding our vibrant, multicultural and diverse University community. As an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity employer, UConn encourages applications from women, veterans, people with disabilities and members of traditionally underrepresented populations. 


Application Materials Required:
Submit the following items online at this website to complete your application:
And anything else requested in the description.

Further Info:
 
The Whetten Graduate Center,
Second Floor
University of Connecticut
438 Whitney Road Extension, Unit-1152
Storrs, CT 06269-1152