Open Rank Teaching Professor in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence

UNC-Chapel Hill School of Data and Information Sciences; Chapel Hill (NC); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill invites applications for a 9- or 12-month, open-rank Teaching Professor in Data Science with a focus on artificial intelligence. The successful candidate will teach undergraduate courses in data science and AI, contribute to curriculum development, and support the AI minor launched in Fall 2026.

Responsibilities include teaching DATA 117, DATA 317, DATA 110, and creating hands-on learning experiences across disciplines, with opportunities to

Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent terminal degree in data science, computer science, information science, statistics, a social science, humanities discipline, or another substantive field relevant to the mission and academic programs of the Division of Data Science and Society.
• Demonstrated experience teaching at the college or university level, with experience in data science, artificial intelligence, or a related field.
• Knowledge of artificial intelligence and machine learning concepts, including supervised learning, unsupervised learning, reinforcement learning, generative AI, and related methods.
• Demonstrated ability to advise and mentor undergraduate students.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with faculty and colleagues across disciplines in an interdisciplinary academic environment.

Responsibilities

• Teach courses such as DATA 117, DATA 317, and DATA 110 and develop new courses and learning experiences in AI and related areas.
• Contribute to the School’s ongoing expansion of data science and AI education by identifying emerging topics and instructional needs.
• Develop innovative and accessible courses and support curricular initiatives, including the AI minor launched in Fall 2026.
• Collaborate across disciplines to ensure course offerings reflect evolving AI methods, technologies, applications, ethical considerations, and societal implications.
• Advise and mentor a growing undergraduate student population.

Job description

The Division of Data Science and Society (DSS) in the School of Data and Information Sciences (SDIS) at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill invites applications for 9- or 12-month, fixed-term, open-rank (Assistant/Associate/Full) Teaching Professor in Data Science, with a focus on artificial intelligence, including the ethical, practical, and societal applications of AI tools. The position is to provide high-quality undergraduate instruction in data science and artificial intelligence while contributing to the continued development and expansion of the School’s data science and AI curriculum.

The successful candidate will teach courses such as DATA 117, DATA 317, and DATA 110 and will have opportunities to develop and teach new courses and learning experiences in AI and related areas. The position will contribute to the School’s ongoing expansion of data science and AI education by identifying emerging topics and instructional needs, developing innovative and accessible courses, and supporting curricular initiatives, including the AI minor launched in Fall 2026.

The successful candidate will collaborate across disciplines to ensure that course offerings reflect evolving AI methods, technologies, applications, ethical considerations, and societal implications.

We especially seek candidates with expertise or experience in:

• Understanding how AI systems operate, including supervised learning, unsupervised learning, reinforcement learning, generative AI, and related approaches.
• Ethical, legal, and societal considerations in data science and artificial intelligence, including data privacy, regulation, responsible AI, and responsible data use.
• Making AI accessible to students with diverse technical backgrounds through engaging and inclusive undergraduate teaching.
• Creating hands-on learning experiences that apply AI to research, writing, data analysis, creative work, coding, and other academic and professional activities.
• Teaching introductory data science or AI courses, particularly courses serving undergraduate and first-year students.
• Advising and mentoring a growing undergraduate student population.

The standard instructional assignment is three courses per semester for 9-month appointments (six courses annually) and four courses per semester for 12-month appointments (eight courses annually).

This is a permanent fixed-term faculty position with an initial three-year appointment, subject to reappointment, and a pathway for advancement in rank.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements

A PhD or equivalent terminal degree in data science, computer science, information science, statistics, a social science, humanities discipline, or another substantive field relevant to the mission and academic programs of the Division of Data Science and Society.

Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience

• Demonstrated experience teaching at the college or university level, with experience in data science, artificial intelligence, or a related field.
• Knowledge of artificial intelligence and machine learning concepts, including supervised learning, unsupervised learning, reinforcement learning, generative AI, and related methods.
• Experience applying AI tools to research, writing, data analysis, creative work, coding, or other academic and professional contexts.
• Demonstrated ability to advise and mentor undergraduate students.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with faculty and colleagues across disciplines in an interdisciplinary academic environment.

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, race, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or status as a protected veteran.