Open Rank Faculty Position in Quant Methods & Data Science

Vanderbilt's Peabody College of Education and Human Development together with Vanderbilt's Data Science Institute invites applicants for an open-rank (tenure-track or tenured) faculty position with joint appointment in both the Quantitative Methods Program within Peabody College and the Data Science Institute (DSI). This search is part of a two-position hire spanning Peabody College and the DSI, and is also part of a broader multi-year faculty hiring initiative in the data sciences at Vanderbilt.

We seek candidates whose research involves developing innovative data science methods that interface with and relate to quantitative psychology in order to advance the emergent fields of behavioral data science and educational data science. Possible areas of methodological research specialization could include machine learning, data mining, computational methods for statistically modeling high-dimensional neurobiological/brain imaging data, and methods for social science genomic analyses (e.g., for genome-wide association studies with behavioral/educational implications). Applications are encouraged from individuals whose research interests span and translate between the fields of traditional quantitative psychology methods, machine learning/data mining, and/or computer science. A methodological specialization with broad application and connection to ongoing research at Peabody College is desirable as is capacity for effectively presenting complex technical content in a clear and understandable manner. Candidates should have an excellent record of research productivity, a strong commitment to inclusive teaching of a diverse population of students at the graduate and undergraduate levels, potential for securing external funding, and an earned doctorate in quantitative behavioral/social science or a related data science discipline.

We particularly welcome applicants interested in teaching courses that complement and expand the quantitative methods program offerings in Peabody College, including courses on data science methods; on statistical consulting; and on data visualization and wrangling. The candidate's tenure home will be in Peabody College and they will also be a core member of Vanderbilt's DSI, reinforcing ongoing connections between Peabody College and the DSI. As such the candidate will contribute to the research and teaching mission of the DSI, ideally fostering research collaborations with scholars from across the five departments within Peabody College as well as with other faculty working on data science-related topics. The position's responsibilities for the DSI entail teaching an annual data science methods course in either Vanderbilt's master's program in data science or Vanderbilt's newly created undergraduate data science minor. DSI methods courses are taught via a computational/resampling pedagogical approach using R and/or Python. DSI teaching needs currently include a graduate team-project-driven applications of data science methods course, and an undergraduate foundations of data science methods course.

Beyond Vanderbilt's Data Science Institute and Peabody's Quantitative Methods Program, there is a wealth of additional quantitative expertise embedded in the wider Vanderbilt community for networking, collaboration, and faculty development. This includes: Biostatistics, Peabody's Educational Neuroscience Program, Big Biomedical Data Science, Scientific Computing, the Genetics Institute, the Kennedy Center Data Science Core, and Computer Science, as well as a broad commitment to teaching excellence supported by our innovative Center for Teaching. Vanderbilt University is located in Nashville, TN, one of the fastest-growing and culturally rich metropolitan areas in the U.S. Peabody is one of the top-rated Colleges of Education and Human Development in the U.S., with relatively small class sizes, a strong institutional commitment to diversity and inclusivity in all areas, competitive salary, and excellent benefits.

Application materials received by September 15th, 2021 will be given full consideration. Applications should include a cover letter, curriculum vitae, at least 3 letters of recommendation, a research statement, teaching statement, a statement on commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion, a summary of prior collaborative projects, and relevant additional supplemental material (e.g., publications, student evaluation summaries, etc.). Applications may be submitted at https://apply.interfolio.com/88574. Requests for information should be sent to QM/DSI search chair Sonya Sterba sonya.sterba@vanderbilt.edu. Vanderbilt University values diversity and welcomes applications from individuals with diverse backgrounds. Vanderbilt is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer.

Vanderbilt University has made the safety of our students, faculty and staff, and our surrounding communities a top priority. As part of that commitment, the University recently announced that students, faculty, and staff, are required to be vaccinated against COVID. As a prospective and/or a new employee at Vanderbilt, you will be required to comply with the University's vaccination protocol. Effective, August 1, 2021, proof of full vaccination or an approved accommodation will be required before the start of employment in order to work at Vanderbilt University. Accommodations for medical and religious exemptions can be requested with the Equal, Opportunity and Access Office https://www.vanderbilt.edu/eoa/ .
The Chronicle of Higher Education. Keywords: Faculty Position, Location: Nashville, TN - 37203