Assistant Professor

The School of Data Science ( SDS) (sds.charlotte.edu) is an interdisciplinary unit housed in the College of Computing and Informatics ( CCI). The SDS, established in January 2020, was the first School of Data Science in the Carolinas. Currently, the School offers a Bachelor of Science in Data Science, an undergraduate certificate in Sports Analytics, and two Master of Science programs (Data Science and Business Analytics and Health Informatics and Analytics). The SDS is planning to launch a Ph.D. in Data Science in the Fall 2025, pending final approval from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges ( SACSCOC). The SDS teaches and researches methods to apply statistics and computer science techniques to develop data-driven solutions to real-world problems. These areas vary from the ethical application and use of data to communication studies, business, healthcare, social sciences, transportation, engineering, and more. The School has grown quickly to more than 800 students, with half of them being graduate students, and is continuing to evolve with the needs of the students, university, and community. Currently, the school has approximately 80 full time, joint and affiliate faculty.

The College of Computing and Informatics ( CCI) (cci.charlotte.edu) at UNC Charlotte is one of the most comprehensive and innovative computing colleges in the country. With over 140 faculty and staff and 5,000 students, CCI graduates more than 1,300 Bachelor's, Master's, and Ph.D. students a year. The College is organized into four academic units: Department of Computer Science (CS), Department of Software and Information Systems ( SIS), Department of Bioinformatics and Genomics (BiG), and the School of Data Science ( SDS). CCI has distinct research strengths in AI & Machine Learning, Cybersecurity & Privacy, Computational Bioinformatics & Genomics, Human-Centered Design, High-Performance Computing and CS education. Located in Charlotte, the largest and fastest-growing city in the Carolinas, CCI engages with the community and neighboring industries around common social, research, and development initiatives.

The University of North Carolina at Charlotte recognizes the differentiation of mission, goals, and objectives inherent in the diversity of disciplines represented by its colleges and departments. Thus, the Job Responsibilities and Essential Functions for Tenured and Tenure Track Faculty should be interpreted in the context of the related departmental and collegiate goals.
Teaching, Advising, Curriculum and Instructional Development - Faculty responsibilities and essential functions with respect to teaching may include but are not limited to: subject matter competence, course design, course presentation, advising and consultation, directing student research, curriculum and instructional development, and grading student work.
Scholarly Research, Creative, and Other Professional Activities - All tenured and tenure-track faculty are expected to participate in expanding the knowledge base of their academic field by conducting research or engaging in other creative activities as appropriate to the faculty member's discipline. Faculty responsibilities and essential functions with respect to research may include but are not limited to: research/creative activity that generates new knowledge and/or synthesizes and/or integrates existing knowledge, publication, an on-going agenda for research, scholarly, and creative activity, and are expected to seek extramural support for their work.
Service to University, the Public, and the Profession - All tenured and tenure-track faculty are expected to engage in a program of service appropriate to their discipline. Faculty responsibilities and essential functions with respect to service may include but are not limited to: service to the administration and governance of the University, public service, and service to the profession.

To view the complete Job Responsibilities and Essential Functions for Tenured and Tenure-Track Faculty document visit our website: https://provost.charlotte.edu/academic-budget-hr/academic-personnel-procedures-handbook/

The qualified applicant will specialize in the areas of machine learning and large language models, be strongly interested in interdisciplinary and collaborative research, and will contribute to teaching undergraduate and graduate courses related to methodological approaches and advances in Artificial Intelligence. Applicants who go beyond algorithm design and address organizational, behavioral and/or technological challenges to bring AI technology to address real-world social and community challenges are of particular interest. The successful candidate will teach undergraduate and graduate courses in SDS and is expected to contribute to the research and teaching missions of the School.

UNC Charlotte gives primary consideration to the earned doctorate or terminal degree in the teaching discipline or a related discipline.

Applicants should have a Ph.D. in a related area, such as Data Science, Computer Science, or Information Science, by Fall 2025. Applicants should demonstrate interdisciplinary research, collaboration, and training, and have strong research and teaching interests in data science. Applicants are expected to show promise of a strong research record that includes both high-quality publications and external funding.

This posting will fill two (2) positions within the School of Data Science ( SDS), each focusing on different aspects of artificial intelligence. The two positions and their areas of focus are:

Application Review and Required Application Materials
Application review will begin on December 1, 2024 and continue until both positions are filled. Priority will be given to applications submitted on or before 12/1/24. Applications must include the following materials to be considered for review:

The University of North Carolina at Charlotte is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and an ADVANCE Institution that strives to create an academic climate in which the dignity of all individuals is respected and maintained. Women, minorities, veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, gender identity or sexual orientation. The University of North Carolina at Charlotte maintains an Affirmative Action Plan prepared in accordance with Executive Order 11246 and the Consent Decree.

The candidate chosen for this position will be required to provide an official transcript of their highest earned degree and submit to a criminal background check.