Career Center

INTRODUCTION     

The School of Business at the University of Connecticut (UConn) seeks applications for a non-tenure track Assistant Research Professor position with expertise in Data Science. The position has a preferred start date of August 23, 2022 and will be based in Stamford, Connecticut. Stamford and its surrounding region has among the highest density of data science/analytics jobs and companies in the United States.

The University of Connecticut, with additional funding from the state, is embarking on a unique and innovative multi-year data science initiative in Stamford. The initiative itself is comprised of three primary components: 1) the establishment of a data science technology incubator built as an extension of UConn’s technology incubation program (TIP), the largest and most successful tech incubator in Connecticut (https://innovation.uconn.edu/), 2) the creation of the Stamford Startup Studio, a yearlong entrepreneurial co-op experience for extremely motivated and talented undergraduates, and 3) a cluster hire of five cutting-edge data science faculty researchers spanning four colleges/schools at UConn. This initiative will integrate students and startups alongside top data science researchers , thus building a foundation to support both the mission of the institution and the continued economic development of the state. These positions emphasize research and application—no teaching is required—and will be situated in a newly updated Class A office building across the street from the UConn Stamford campus (co-located with UConn’s data science incubator).

Suitable areas of research include, but are not limited to:

• Applications of data science to business decision making
• Development of new modeling approaches to integrate predictive modeling and optimization
• Explicating how data science techniques such as machine learning, neural networks and artificial intelligence are used to create competitive advantage in organizations
• Development of novel analytic models using various data science techniques to derive theoretical insights and to provide business solutions.
• Large-scale network analysis
• Human resource management (e.g., algorithmic hiring, team formation)
• Process optimization
• Capital markets models
• Big data applications to health care management (e.g., claims management, risk analysis)
• Marketing analytics

The School of Business offers numerous master's and doctoral programs including three MBA programs—full-time, executive, and part-time; three specialized masters programs —accounting, business analytics and project management, and financial risk management; and a full-time Ph.D. program. It also offers a broad set of undergraduate majors in its BS degree program. Among its research strengths are a cluster of creativity, entrepreneurship, and organizational behavior scholars in the management department; a cluster of analytical scholars who will contribute to our big data and complex systems thrust in the marketing department, which is also highly rated by the Association of American Universities; and a strong body of analytical scholars in the operations and information management department. The School is developing strengths in its healthcare administration and insurance groups, both important for the economy of the state of Connecticut and Next Generation Connecticut.

Founded in 1881, UConn is a Land Grant and Sea Grant institution and member of the Space Grant Consortium. It is the state’s flagship institution of higher education and includes a main campus in Storrs, CT, four regional campuses throughout the state, and 13 Schools and Colleges, including a Law School in Hartford, and Medical and Dental Schools at the UConn Health campus in Farmington. The University has approximately 10,000 faculty and staff and 32,000 students, including nearly 24,000 undergraduates and over 8,000 graduate and professional students. UConn is a Carnegie Foundation R1 (highest research activity) institution, among the top 25 public universities in the nation. Through research, teaching, service, and outreach, UConn embraces diversity and cultivates leadership, integrity, and engaged citizenship in its students, faculty, staff, and alumni. UConn promotes the health and well-being of citizens by enhancing the social, economic, cultural, and natural environments of the state and beyond. The University serves as a beacon of academic and research excellence as well as a center for innovation and social service to communities. UConn is a leader in many scholarly, research, and innovation areas. Today, the path forward includes exciting opportunities and notable challenges. Record numbers of undergraduate applications and support for student success have enabled the University to become extraordinarily selective.

A city of approximately 130,000, Stamford is Connecticut’s 2nd largest and fastest growing city.  Located directly on the New York City - Boston corridor, Stamford is only a 45 minute train ride to Manhattan’s Grand Central Station.  Stamford is home to approximately one third of the Fortune 1000 companies located in Connecticut, and the Stamford metropolitan statistical area has the highest per capita density of Fortune 500 companies in the nation.  The city boasts over 150 restaurants, 40 parks/recreational areas, a vibrant arts and entertainment scene, excellent schools, and is consistently ranked among the safest cities in the country.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Earned Ph.D. in Data Science, Statistics, Economics, Information Systems, Operations Research or related field by August 23, 2022. Equivalent foreign degrees are acceptable.
• The ability to secure independent funding.
• Prior industry or entrepreneurial experiences or collaborations.
• The ability to build a successful and lasting independent research program.
• The desire and ability to work in a collaborative and dynamic environment with a diverse team evidenced through prior projects.
• Superior written and oral communication skills.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Prior involvement in securing research funding (either from government sources or industry partnerships).
• Potential to produce high quality publications.
• Evidence of serving as an advisor to businesses.
• Experience with technology commercialization (securing patents, startup formation, etc.).
• Desire to be a part of an experimental cohort of energetic and ambitious data science research faculty who come from different disciplines, but together can contribute to substantive paradigm shifts.
• Demonstrated experience working effectively in a diverse environment.

APPOINTMENT TERMS

These are full-time, nine-month, annually renewable non-tenure track appointments as Assistant Research Professors in Data Science. The candidates are preferred to begin work on or before  August 23, 2022. The positions will be fully funded for the first 1.5 years. Successful candidates will be expected to secure 50% of their salary from external sources for the following 1.5 years and 100% thereafter. The positions include full benefits (https://hr.uconn.edu/employee-benefits-overview/), a start-up package to provide a research runway, and minimal non-research responsibilities. The salary will be commensurate with experience, with the ability to further supplement the annual salary with 3-months of external funding.  

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Employment at the University of Connecticut is contingent upon the successful candidate’s compliance with the University’s Mandatory Workforce COVID-19 Vaccination Policy.  This Policy states that all workforce members are required to have or obtain a Covid-19 vaccination as a term and condition of employment at UConn, unless an exemption or deferral has been approved. 

Employment of the successful candidate is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background check.

TO APPLY

Please apply online to Academic Jobs Online https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/18113 and submit the following application materials:

• A cover letter,
• Curriculum vitae,
• Research and scholarship statement (innovative concepts that will form the basis of academic career, experience in proposal development, mentorship of graduate students, etc.);
• Entrepreneurship and innovation statement (including entrepreneurship/innovation/industry partnership/collaboration activities);
• Commitment to diversity statement (including broadening participation, integrating multicultural experiences in instruction and research and pedagogical techniques to meet the needs of diverse learning styles, etc.);
• Three (3) letters of reference.

Review of candidates will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. However, for full consideration, please submit your application on or before January 31, 2022.

For more information regarding the Operations and Information Management Department or the Management Department please visit the department websites at https://opim.business.uconn.edu/ or https://management.business.uconn.edu/.

At the University of Connecticut, our commitment to excellence is complemented by our commitment to building a culturally diverse community.

This position will be filled subject the budgetary approval.

All employees are subject to adherence to the State Code of Ethics which may be found at http://www.ct.gov/ethics/site/default.asp.

The University of Connecticut is committed to building and supporting a multicultural and diverse community of students, faculty and staff. The diversity of students, faculty and staff continues to increase, as does the number of honors students, valedictorians and salutatorians who consistently make UConn their top choice. More than 100 research centers and institutes serve the University’s teaching, research, diversity, and outreach missions, leading to UConn’s ranking as one of the nation’s top research universities. UConn’s faculty and staff are the critical link to fostering and expanding our vibrant, multicultural and diverse University community. As an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity employer, UConn encourages applications from women, veterans, people with disabilities and members of traditionally underrepresented populations.