Appointments, Retirements, and Searches

  • M.S. in Data Science Director

    The Graduate School, University of Connecticut

    Summary

    The Graduate School at the University of Connecticut invites applications for the position of Director of the interdisciplinary Master of Science in Data Science (MSDS) program.

    Launched in 2022, MSDS is a fee-based, 30-credit professional master’s degree program with approximately 35 in-person students and an additional 75 students enrolled online. Operating out of the Graduate School, the program is a collaboration among:

    • The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
    • The College of Engineering
    • The College of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources
    • The School of Business
    • The Neag School of Education

    The curriculum of the program includes core courses in Machine Learning and Statistics, with additional courses in ethics, causal inference, and visualization as well as two electives.

    The Director is responsible for all aspects of program operations, with particular emphasis on:

    • Student recruitment
    • Hiring of TAs and adjunct faculty
    • Enhancing student professional development opportunities
    • Building and maintaining industry partnerships, including recruiting capstone sponsors

    The Director consults regularly with a Faculty Steering Committee and a Dean’s Advisory Board. Program administration is supported by an Academic Program Administrator, who reports to the Director.

    The successful candidate will possess:

    • Broad knowledge of data science
    • Strong scholarly credentials
    • Leadership experience
    • Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills

    This is an internal search. The position is half-time, and the Director must hold a full-time faculty appointment (Instructor, In-Residence, Tenure-Track, or Tenured) at the University of Connecticut. In addition to administrative responsibilities, the Director may teach in the program as appropriate.

    The Director reports to the Dean of the Graduate School regarding MSDS matters and remains a faculty member within their home department in one of the University’s schools or colleges.

    The successful applicant will receive:

    • An additional month of salary
    • A reduction in teaching and/or service responsibilities within their home department (to be negotiated between the Provost’s Office and the faculty member’s home school or college)

    Position Responsibilities

    • Maintain productive working relationships with deans, department heads, faculty, and staff involved in the program across the University.
    • Meet regularly with the Faculty Steering Committee and Dean’s Advisory Board.
    • Expand partnerships with industry to support the capstone requirement and ensure curricular alignment with industry needs.
    • Develop an industry advisory board (or similar mechanism) for formal consultation.
    • Strengthen recruitment efforts for both in-person and online cohorts, with short-term enrollment goals of:
      • 45 in-person students
      • 150 online students
    • Oversee program finances. MSDS is a fee-based program that returns net revenue to participating programs on a per-credit-hour basis.
    • Allocate teaching resources (e.g., TAs) in consultation with participating departments.
    • Hire adjunct faculty for elective and capstone courses.
    • Supervise program staff (currently the Academic Program Administrator), providing regular feedback and performance evaluations.
    • Oversee program marketing, including the program website.

    Minimum Qualifications

    1. Current full-time, tenured or in-residence faculty member at the rank of Associate or Full Professor.
    2. Terminal degree or equivalent professional qualifications in Data Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Computer Science, or a closely related discipline.
    3. Excellent record of scholarly or professional activity in Data Science or a related field, including demonstrated expertise in a core area such as statistical methods or machine learning.
    4. Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively across multiple schools and colleges.
    5. Ability to build and maintain relationships with external partners, including companies and donors.
    6. Strong communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
    7. Commitment to supporting a diverse student population, including international students.

    Preferred Qualifications

    1. Leadership experience in an academic setting, including graduate program/curriculum administration (e.g., admissions, assessment, scheduling, advising).
    2. Established professional network in data science or related fields.
    3. Experience with online programs, including student recruitment.
    4. Experience with budgeting and resource allocation, particularly in fee-based programs.

    Application Process

    Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until Thursday, March 12, when formal review by the search committee will begin.

    Please email the following materials to martha.marroni@uconn.edu:

    • A cover letter addressing how your experience meets the minimum and preferred qualifications
    • Curriculum Vitae (including publications, grants, and records of teaching, extension, and/or service)
    • A Leadership Statement outlining your goals and approach to innovative leadership
    For more information, contact: Martha Marroni at martha.marroni@uconn.edu