The University of British Columbia, Vancouver invites applications for a Postdoctoral Teaching & Learning Fellow, associated with the Master of Data Science (MDS) program. This program is a collaborative effort of the Department of Computer Science and the Department of Statistics, within the Faculty of Science. The Fellow will be based in the Department of Statistics but will work closely with colleagues from both departments.
The MDS program focusses on the innovative and responsible use of Data Science tools across a broad spectrum of data types and domain areas. It is a 10-month, full-time program, delivered in course modules of four-week durations. The last two months are devoted to a capstone project. The first cohort of students began their studies in September 2016.
The Fellow will:
- Assist in updating and expanding the curriculum by identifying and developing instructional materials, including appropriate datasets, in collaboration with participating faculty and the MDS Directors.
- Take a lead role in planning and delivery of the capstone projects; mentor students in their capstone projects and liaise with capstone project partners.
- Collaborate on Data Science education initiatives with other groups at UBC such as the Sauder School of Business’ Master of Business Analytics program.
- Liaise with other UBC units engaged in Data Science teaching and learning initiatives.
- Be the primary instructor for a subset of the modules and provide instructional support to other faculty instructors for others.
- Train and supervise teaching assistants.
- Foster a positive learning environment for MDS students and be a continuous presence with the student cohort.
- Serve on the MDS admissions committee.
We aim to recruit one or two junior scholars. The Fellow must be committed to both the practice and the teaching of Data Science and be drawn to an academic environment. There are also opportunities for the Fellow to contribute to other Data Science research projects undertaken by the Applied Statistics and Data Science Group within the Department of Statistics.
The position is subject to final budgetary approval. The Fellow will be appointed for up to one year (with the possibility of renewal), with an anticipated start date of July 1st, 2019. The Fellow will primarily report to the MDS Option Co-Directors. We anticipate being able to offer an attractive salary compared to norms for postdoctoral fellowships.
Applicants should hold a PhD in an area relevant to Data Science. They should have experience in at least one of these areas and enthusiasm for all: practical data management and analysis (statistical inference and/or machine learning); curriculum development; R/Python/SQL; version control and other practices related to collaborative and reproducible scientific work; and teaching at the postgraduate level. The appointment must commence within 5 years of being awarded a PhD.
The application package should contain the following elements: cover letter, curriculum vitae, teaching statement, contact information for three references, and any other pertinent information (e.g., links to relevant data scientific work or evidence of teaching effectiveness).
The cover letter should specifically address how this position relates to the applicant’s experience and career aspirations. The application should be sent to info-mds [at] science.ubc.ca as either a single combined PDF file or a link to a public GitHub repository containing the application materials. Applications will be reviewed as they arrive; those received by March 31, 2019 will receive full consideration.
Equity and diversity are essential to academic excellence. An open and diverse community fosters the inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented or discouraged. We encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the B.C. Human Rights Code, including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Métis, Inuit, or Indigenous person. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents of Canada will be given priority.