Open Rank - Assistant/Associate/Full Professor

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; Chapel Hill (NC); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill seeks an Open Rank Professor (Assistant/Associate/Full) in Data Science and Society within the SDIS division. This full‑time, permanent faculty appointment focuses on data science foundations, societal impact, and interdisciplinary applications across sciences and humanities. We require a Ph.D.

and/or M.D. with expertise in AI/ML, data science, statistics, or related fields, plus a strong research record and ability to teach undergraduate and graduate

Qualifications

• Ph.D. and/or MD with expertise in AI/ML or related field.
• Strong research record and ability to teach undergraduate and graduate courses.
• Aptitude for interdisciplinary collaboration and external funding potential.

Responsibilities

• Teach and mentor students across undergraduate and graduate programs.
• Conduct interdisciplinary research within the Data Science and Society pillars.
• Collaborate with colleagues across departments and seek external funding.

Education

Ph.D. and/or M.D. with expertise in AI/ML, data science, statistics, or related field

Job description

Department:

Data Sci and Society - 371210

Posting Open Date:

09/08/2026

Application Deadline:

11/16/2026

Open Until Filled:

No

Position Type:

Permanent Faculty

Working Title:

Open Rank - Assistant/Associate/Full Professor

Appointment Type:

Open Rank

Vacancy ID:

FAC0006078

Full-time/Part-time:

Full-Time Permanent

Hours per week:

40

FTE:

1

Position Location:

North Carolina, US

Hiring Range:

Commensurate with Education and Experience

Proposed Start Date:

07/01/2027

Be a Tar Heel!:

A global higher education leader in innovative teaching, research and public service, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill consistently ranks as one of the nation’s top public universities. Known for its beautiful campus, world-class medical care, commitment to the arts and top athletic programs, Carolina is an ideal place to teach, work and learn.One of the best college towns and best places to live in the United States, Chapel Hill has diverse social, cultural, recreation and professional opportunities that span the campus and community. University employees can choose from a wide range of professional training opportunities for career growth, skill development and lifelong learning and enjoy exclusive perks for numerous retail, restaurant and performing arts discounts, savings on local child care centers and special rates on select campus events. UNC-Chapel Hill offers full-time employees a comprehensive benefits package, paid leave, and a variety of health, life and retirement plans and additional programs that support a healthy work/life balance.

Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit:

In July 2026, UNC Chapel Hill launched the Division of Data Science and Society within the School of Data and Information Sciences (SDIS), a division devoted to data science teaching, research, scholarship, service, and creativity. DSS’s vision is to be a leader in shaping the field of data science through an interdisciplinary and rigorous grounding in theory and methods with a human centric approach to the entire data life cycle.

The mission of DSS is to empower a diverse community of faculty conducting research in the fundamentals and/or the applications of data science. The Division is training undergraduate, graduate, and professional students to be the next generation of data science leaders with the knowledge and skills to thrive in this data-driven world. The Division will serve the state, the nation, and the world through premier data science educational programs and innovative research directed to advancing the public good with human centric and ethical applications.

The core elements of SDIS include porous borders: leveraging our low walled collaborative Carolina culture to solve major societal problems. Interdisciplinary research clusters that cross Division and School boundaries are a vital element of our Scholarly community. The School of Data and Information Sciences is focused on students and education; the emphasis is not just on data science majors but on all students becoming data literate. The School’s culture has an open and transparent structure, governance, and business model.

Position Summary:

This initiative aims to enhance research and innovation in the rapidly evolving field of data science. We are looking for strong contributors to the areas of data science foundations, the societal impact of data science, and applications in the medical, social, physical, biological, and environmental sciences. This initiative seeks to attract exceptional researchers working within or across the following DSS research pillars:

• Data: Techniques for collecting, storing, disseminating, and translating data into actionable insights.
• Algorithms and Models: Mathematical, computational and statistical tools that empower researchers and stakeholders to discover, create, analyze, present, synthesize, and utilize data.
• Applications: Innovative and effective uses of data and models to advance interdisciplinary knowledge and address pressing social issues.
• Social Impact: Examination of unintended consequences and ethical questions arising from using data to tackle society’s most pressing challenges.

UNC-Chapel Hill’s interdisciplinary approach to data science research will foster the development of innovative foundational research and applications across various fields. Through collaboration among faculty, students, and external partners, the Division of Data Science and Society in SDIS aims to bridge the gap between academia, industry, and community groups, translating research discoveries into tangible societal benefits. We invite you to join the DSS faculty and be part of this mission.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:

The applicants must have a Ph.D. and/or MD with expertise in artificial intelligence/machine learning, computational social sciences, data science, computer science, statistics, applied mathematics, or a related field that applies AI and data science techniques.

Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience:

Preferred applicants will have a strong research record, evidence of interest in developing, teaching, and supervising courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels, and an aptitude in working collaboratively in interdisciplinary research. Research with a focus on data science and its applications in addressing societal challenges is preferred. Additionally, candidates must be able to engage with researchers, professionals, and stakeholders from diverse disciplines. A record of or the potential to secure external funding to support research projects is strongly preferred.

Campus Security Authority Responsibilities:

This position is designated as a Campus Security Authority in accordance with the Clery Act. This position will be required to report Clery crimes to the Clery Compliance Manager and complete annual training about reporting responsibilities.