Founded in 1856, University of Maryland, College Park is the state’s flagship institution. Our 1,250-acre College Park campus is just minutes away from Washington, D.C., and the nexus of the nation’s legislative, executive, and judicial centers of power. This unique proximity to business and technology leaders, federal departments and agencies, and a myriad of research entities, embassies, think tanks, cultural centers, and non-profit organizations is simply unparalleled. Synergistic opportunities for our faculty and students abound and are virtually limitless in the nation’s capital and surrounding areas. The University is committed to attracting and retaining outstanding and diverse faculty and staff that will enhance our stature of preeminence in our three missions of teaching, scholarship, and full engagement in our community, the state of Maryland, and in the world.

The Joint Program in Survey Methodology (JPSM) at the University of Maryland:

The Joint Program in Survey Methodology (JPSM), housed in the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences at the University of Maryland, College Park, was established in 1993 to support the U.S. Federal Statistical System by providing advanced training in survey statistics and methodology. The founding of JPSM resulted from an initiative of federal statistical agency heads, the head of the Office of Management and Budget’s Statistical Policy Office, and the chair of the President’s Council of Economic Advisors. The founders of JPSM brought together a consortium of organizations, disciplines, and researchers to provide the necessary expertise in survey methodology. Since then, JPSM has grown, offering onsite Master and PhD programs, online courses, and non-credit coursework for those seeking professional development in survey methodology. The onsite Master of Science program has expanded to include three areas of specialization — Statistical Science, Social and Psychological Science, and Data Science. The online graduate degree programs include a Master of Professional Studies and three certificate programs.

Successful applicants may be eligible to join The Social Data Science (SoDa) Center. SODA is a joint effort between INFO and BSOS that leverages UMD’s substantial strengths in survey methods, measurement, information management, visualization, and analytics. It conducts research, provides education, and works with partners to advance social data science and measurement.

Offers of employment are contingent on completion of a background check. Information reported by the background check will not automatically disqualify you from employment.

The College of Information Studies (INFO) at the University of Maryland, College Park invites applications for an open rank tenured or tenure track faculty focused on pursuing novel, innovative, and impactful research at the intersection of data science and survey methodology to address core societal information problems. We welcome candidates whose scholarship explores the use of complementary sources of information, including social media and the web, to enhance traditional surveys; as well as candidates exploring the design of novel survey methodology approaches through novel technologies and platforms.

The faculty member will have an appointment and tenure home in INFO. The faculty member will be expected to teach courses in the Joint Program in Survey Methodology (JPSM) in the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences (BSOS) and the newly formed undergraduate Major in Social Data Science (SDSC), which is an INFO-BSOS joint program. We seek a candidate who will build upon our record of educating information and data scientists committed to leadership, service, research, and innovative practice and impact.

The faculty member will be expected to have a high-impact research agenda and to seek external funding for research. The faculty member will also teach at the undergraduate and graduate levels, provide research advising to students at all levels, and engage in service to the profession and shared governance within the university.

In particular, candidates whose scholarship speaks to the following broad substantive topics are encouraged to apply:

● Use of survey methodologies in social data science

● Novel human subjects data collection sources and survey strategies

● Web data sources as a complement to traditional survey methods

● Innovation in survey and questionnaire design using data science methods

● Novel approaches to surveying hard-to-reach populations

● Analysis of biases associated with the collection of survey data through novel technologies and platforms.

While these areas of expertise are of particular interest, candidates with expertise and interest in other information science topics that apply survey methodology are encouraged to apply. Candidates whose work recognizes the information norms and assets of marginalized communities particularly relating to the topics above and other relevant topics, are especially encouraged to apply.

Position Duties/Responsibilities:

This is a tenure-track appointment. Tenure-track Assistant Professors are hired for 3 years, with potential renewal for three more years and tenure review. Salary and benefits are competitive based upon qualifications and experience. Tenure-track and tenured faculty typically have 9-month appointments, with opportunities for grant-funded research and university-funded teaching in summers. For this position, the successful candidate will be involved in:

● Developing and conducting high-impact research agenda and disseminating research results

● Designing and developing innovative information studies and survey methodology courses and curricula

● Crafting exceptional educational experiences for students

● Contributing to relevant professional communities

● Participating in shared governance
Hiring and Appointment are subject to College and University approval.

● A Ph.D degree at the time of appointment

● Demonstrated research excellence, including a rank-appropriate record of peer-reviewed research in one or more areas described in the position summary above, or related areas

● Interest in developing effective and innovative courses.

● Exceptional recognition of research, teaching or service contributions

● A record of, or potential for, securing external funding, as appropriate to rank

● Teaching experience in related areas, as appropriate to rank

● A record of leadership contributions, as appropriate to rank

● A letter of interest that clearly describes your background and expertise in the area and the unique contributions you would make to the INFO, JPSM, and the University of Maryland.

● Your CV

● A list of 3 professional references. For each reference include the person’s title, institution, contact information (including phone number and email address), the capacity in which you know this person, and how long you have known this person.

● A statement of your research interests and accomplishments

● A statement of your teaching philosophy

The University of Maryland, College Park, an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action; all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, age, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, creed, marital status, political affiliation, personal appearance, or on the basis of rights secured by the First Amendment, in all aspects of employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.