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Associate or Full Professor - Data Science: Multiple Areas

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Position description

The University of California, San Diego invites applications from outstanding candidates for a tenured faculty position for primary appointment at the Halicioglu Data Science Institute with optional joint appointment in another academic department. The appointment will be at the Associate or Full Professor level. Successful appointees will have a track record of scientific accomplishments, excellence in teaching, a commitment to university service and a commitment to support diversity, equity and inclusion at the university. The University of California, San Diego is committed to academic excellence and diversity within the faculty, staff and student body.

This search spans all areas of the data science including artificial intelligence, machine learning, data management and their applications and systems. For review purposes, candidates must submit an application to one of the following four broad areas of search that list topics of current interests, but are not limited to those listed.

A) Statistical Foundations of Data Science, Applied Statistics and Biostatistics
Statistical foundations of data science is one of the critical areas for hiring. Statistics (including Biostatistics) is the science of drawing inferences from data, thus forming a pillar of the emerging discipline of data science, together with Machine Learning. While both Statistics and Machine Learning are seeking optimal procedures for inference, e.g. prediction, the latter is more focused on algorithms and their computation/implementation, while the former is crucially entasked with quantifying the accuracy of such inference. Topics of current interest in Statistics include (but are not limited to): High-dimensional data, Large-scale Hypothesis Testing, Regularization and Sparsity, Functional Data, Causal inference, Complex Data, Dependent Data, Inference after model selection, Prediction Intervals, quantification of statistical significance and control of false discovery rate.

B) Digital and Data Infrastructure including Security
We invite candidates who build and study software systems and software-hardware integrated systems that serve as platforms to enable and amplify the impact of data science algorithms and applications. Our focus spans the whole lifecycle of digital data infrastructure, including (but not restricted to) systems for sensing and sourcing data, systems for storing, querying, learning, and analytics over data, streaming methods for analyzing very large datasets and systems for securely deploying data science methods in high-impact application verticals. Across this lifecycle, concerns of scalability, security, and usability will receive special attention. Examples of research areas that fit this focus include database and analytics systems, information integration and knowledge base construction, data mining and network/graph analytics, Internet of Things and cyber-physical systems, spatiotemporal information systems, cloud computing for data science, secure machine learning, database security. Examples of high-impact application verticals include smart and connected health, smart cities, e-commerce platforms, and social media platforms.

C) Artificial Intelligence, AI in Science Applications
We seek faculty candidates with a background in artificial intelligence or machine learning. This area includes, but is not exclusive to: natural language processing, computer vision, modeling high dimensional data with low intrinsic dimension, modeling dynamical systems, streaming methods for analyzing very large datasets, active learning, methods for incorporating machine learning into real-world systems that combine humans and machines, neural networks/deep-learning, reinforcement learning, optimization. We are interested in candidates with a strong applications emphasis as well as those that study the theoretical properties of the algorithms. Priority will be given to those who show a strong connection and relevance to data science.

D) Data Science in Public Policy
We seek faculty candidates with a background in statistics, computer science, economics, or public policy who are dedicated to exploring the use, risks, and benefits of data science for a well-defined vertical application area: such as democratic practice, media, trade in digital services, health, education, and societal infrastructure for energy, communication, transportation, and national security. Of particular interest will be candidates who are pursuing advances in theory, methods and tools that help us understand the opportunities and challenges that digital data pose to markets, organizations, society, and government; and (or) who are devising methods and evaluating policies to advance these opportunities and address these challenges, while considering both technical constraints and constraints related to social, political and economic feasibility.

A PhD in Computer Science, Math, Economics, Engineering or related discipline is required.

Successful applicants will be expected to teach graduate and undergraduate students in the Data Science major/minor degree programs offered by the Institute. In case of a partial joint appointment with another department, the teaching workload would include appropriate course work in the participating department. All candidates are expected to establish a vigorous program of high-quality federally funded research that focuses on innovations in one of the targeted search areas.

The preferred candidate will have demonstrated strong leadership or a commitment to support diversity, equity and inclusion in an academic setting. The level of appointment and salary is commensurate with qualifications and based on UC pay schedules.

Applications must be submitted electronically through AP-Online Recruit website:

The University of California is committed to creating and maintaining a community dedicated to the advancement, application, and transmission of knowledge and creative endeavors through academic excellence, where all individuals who participate in University programs and activities can work and learn together in a safe and secure environment, free of violence, harassment, discrimination, exploitation, or intimidation. With this commitment, UC San Diego requires all candidates for academic appointments with tenure or security of employment to complete, sign, and upload the form entitled “Authorization to Release” into RECRUIT as part of their application.

For applicants with interest in spousal/partner employment, please see the UC San Diego Partner Opportunities Program website.

UC San Diego is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer with a strong institutional commitment to excellence through diversity.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

Application Requirements

Document requirements
  • Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.

  • Cover Letter

  • Statement of Research

  • Statement of Teaching

  • Statement of Contributions to Diversity - Applicants should summarize their past or potential contributions to diversity. See our Faculty Equity site for more information.

  • Misc / Additional (Optional)

  • Authorization to Release Form - Applicants must complete, sign and upload this form. See Institutional Reference Check (https://aps.ucsd.edu/recruitment/background_check/) for more information

Reference requirements
  • 3-8 required (contact information only)