Instructor, Business Analytics/Data Science, Economics

The Department of Economics at the University of Nebraska at Omaha invites applications for an Instructor in the area of business analytics and data science.  The College of Business Administration (CBA) offers several high-demand data science programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels with concentrations in Econometrics and Data Analytics as well as Business Analytics. This position will play a key role in growing and expanding the program through teaching and curriculum development activities. We recommend the candidate familiarize herself with the following program pages:

1. https://www.unomaha.edu/college-of-business-administration/economics/graduate-programs/concentrations/concentration-econometrics.php
2. https://www.unomaha.edu/college-of-business-administration/mba/program/data-analytics.php
3. https://www.unomaha.edu/college-of-business-administration/economics/undergraduate-program/business-analytics.php

CBA’s Department of Economics has a strong culture of teaching.   The department houses the UNO Center for Economic Education, the production office of the Journal of Economics Teaching, and multiple faculty members who research education or learning.  Additionally, the successful candidate will join an existing team of faculty data scientists with a strong commitment to teaching quality and student success.  She should want to join this community of teachers and be equally committed to student success.

A top candidate is expected to be a teaching specialist with a strong passion for teaching Business/Data Analytics courses.  She will likely teach courses such as master’s level econometrics, advanced econometric classes with some machine learning content, business reporting classes (e.g. Power BI, Tableau, Google Data Studio), SQL and database/data storage class, quantitative/statistics courses, and, when the need arises, principles-level economics classes.  Given the nature of these courses, a deep understanding of data storage and programming techniques is highly valued. However, the Department of Economics prefers a candidate who is a passionate instructor with fluency in some of the listed skills (and interest in future mastery of the listed languages and software) over a candidate who has mastered all of the languages and software but is less enthusiastic about providing excellent instruction at the graduate and undergraduate levels.

UNO is strongly integrated with local employers, forming partnerships with local organizations to enhance the students' learning experience is expected.  In particular, we expect that some classes taught by the instructor will be integrated with partners in the Department of Homeland Security as part of a grant recently awarded to our college through the National Counterterrorism Innovation, Technology, and Education Center of Excellence (NCITE).  Other local partnerships (as well as other innovative teaching techniques) are encouraged, and UNO strives to “grow with and within our thriving community.”

UNO is both a metropolitan university of distinction and a Carnegie Doctoral Research institution.  With a metropolitan mission, UNO serves a diverse student body with a large number of first-generation college students and is also actively engaged with the community in myriad ways.  Our mission is to transform and improve the quality of life locally, nationally, and globally.  Learn more about how we live our mission here. The University and department have a strong commitment to achieving diversity among the faculty and staff.  The University of Nebraska does not discriminate based on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and/or political affiliation in its programs, activities, or employment.  UNO is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor and an E-Verify employer. The university and department have a strong commitment to achieving diversity among faculty and staff, and we are particularly interested in receiving applications from members of under-represented groups and strongly encourage women and persons of color to apply for this position.

The College of Business Administration at the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO), an AACSB accredited institution, is located in the heart of Omaha, Nebraska, a metropolitan area with an MSA population of approximately 942,198. Omaha is home to ten Fortune 1000 firms and has a strong business environment. UNO offers about 200 programs of study to approximately 15,575 students. Despite its size, small classes are the norm. Additional information about UNO can be found at https://www.unomaha.edu.

To apply for this position, go to https://unomaha.peopleadmin.com/postings/11363.  Required qualifications are a completed master’s degree in economics (Ph.D. preferred) or closely related field including, but not limited to, statistics, operations research, demography, political science or psychology. Strong evidence of data science expertise is also required. Also required is evidence of data science expertise and the potential for excellence in graduate and undergraduate teaching.

Application materials consist of 1) a cover letter, 2) curriculum vitae or resume, 3) evidence of teaching effectiveness (e.g., teaching innovations designed by the applicant, involvement in programs related to instructional excellence), and 4) A statement of teaching philosophy addressing the candidate’s ability to foster an inclusive learning environment for a community of diverse learners.  Letters of reference will be requested from finalists for the position at a later date. 

Review of applications will begin October 1, 2020. The position is open until filled but only applications received by October 1, 2020 can be assured full consideration. We will continue to accept applications until the position is filled. An ideal candidate would be available to begin work in January, 2021, but could be delayed to August, 2021 if needed. For general employment information, go to https://www.unomaha.edu/humanresources/.