Open Rank - Fixed Term - (Assistant/Associate/Full) Teaching Professor

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.

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 communication for data scientists and data science ethics. The successful candidate will contribute to undergraduate instruction through courses such as DATA 120 and DATA 150 and will have opportunities to develop and teach new courses aligned with the evolving needs of the data science curriculum.

We seek candidates with expertise and experience in one or more of the following areas:
* Effective communication of data and analytical findings, including data visualization, public speaking, stakeholder engagement, and translating technical concepts for diverse audiences.
* Ethical, legal, and societal dimensions of data science, including data privacy, data regulation, artificial intelligence, responsible data use, and related emerging issues.
* Teaching and engaging undergraduate students, particularly students in introductory and first-year courses.
* Teaching college-level courses addressing the foundations of data science.
* Advising and mentoring undergraduate students and supporting their academic and professional development.

The successful candidate will contribute to the continued development of the School’s undergraduate data science curriculum by identifying emerging topics and instructional needs, developing new courses and learning experiences, and supporting curricular initiatives, including the AI minor launched in Fall 2026. The candidate will collaborate with faculty and colleagues across disciplines to advance innovative, interdisciplinary approaches to data science education and ensure that course offerings reflect evolving methods, technologies, ethical considerations, and applications of data science.

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. The position provides a pathway for continued professional advancement through promotion in rank.

A PhD or equivalent terminal degree in data science, information science, computer 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.

* Teaching introductory data science courses, particularly courses designed for undergraduate or first-year students.
* Applying discipline or methodological expertise to data science questions and problems.
* Developing innovative, interdisciplinary, and student-centered instructional materials and learning activities.
* Advising, mentoring, and supporting undergraduate students in academic and professional development.
* Developing new courses or curricula that contribute to the undergraduate data science program.
* Collaborating across disciplines and working effectively with faculty, staff, and students in an interdisciplinary academic environment.

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.