MTDA Program Director

MTDA Program Director

The Ohio State University

Columbus, Ohio

The Translational Data Analytics Institute (TDAI) at The Ohio State University is seeking a staff position as a Program Director  to support its recently launched Master’s degree program in Translational Data Analytics (MTDA). This innovative, cohort-based master’s program is focused on upskilling and reskilling working professionals who may not have extensive previous data science and analytics (DSA) experience. The program targets students in the incumbent and transitioning workforces. The program aims to provide students with practical, workforce focused education in the foundations of data analysis, computing, machine learning, data visualization and information design. Major goals of the program include diversifying the data science and analytics workforce and meeting the workforce skills needs of Central Ohio and the broader state of Ohio. The program aims to develop skilled data scientists/analysts who are also exceptional data storytellers.

Key Responsibilities: The Program Director will be responsible for overseeing the program’s academic content and assessment and providing key leadership over all aspects of the MTDA’s experiential learning curriculum. In addition, the Program Director will develop and teach a 2-semester long interdisciplinary culminating capstone series for 2nd year students. The Program Director will advise, and mentor students enrolled in the MTDA program, assist in supporting students’ academic success, oversee the formation of experiential project teams, and be involved in on-going programmatic assessment.

In partnership with TDAI’s Faculty Director, Managing Director and Academic Program Coordinator, the MTDA Program Director will engage in the recruitment of industry and community partners to enhance the educational experience of students enrolled in the program. The major focus is to engage industry and community partners to provide cross-domain, real-world challenge problems and data sets. The Program Director will work closely with an Academic Program Coordinator (0.5 FTE employed by TDAI) in administering the MTDA Program.  

The Program Director will be a key member of the MTDA Advisory Committee, a committee that is responsible for: devising guidelines for the MTDA; establishing admission requirements and selecting candidates; recruiting M/P status faculty (including instructors) to serve as advisors for MTDA students; establishing/reviewing curriculum requirements, course offerings and associated modifications; addressing student petitions; and other issues. The Program Director will also lead the development and implementation of a holistic candidate selection process and strategic candidate diversity and inclusive culture plan.

Key Values of the MTDA program: The MTDA program believes in holistic review and consideration of students’ ability to be successful. The program believes that students are embedded in a life context which must be considered, honored, and valued.

We believe in the value of a diverse and inclusive learning environment which recognizes the contributions of our individual diversity in backgrounds and life experiences.

Experiential education focused on real-world skills provides a high level of value for our students, community, and corporate partners.

About TDAI:  The Translational Data Analytics Institute is a foundational component of The Ohio State University’s Discovery Themes Initiative. Membership in TDAI provides an exceptional environment for cross-college interdisciplinary and external collaboration. Our Affiliated Faculty are part of an active community of scientists representing 14 colleges and more than 40 disciplines who work on developing programs, resources, and collaborative projects that span the traditional academic disciplines.

Through TDAI, affiliated faculty are connected to a vast network of existing and developing shared resources including datasets and databases and robust opportunities to test new technologies and platforms through external partnerships (i.e., SmartColumbus, Ohio Supercomputer Center, IBM, and Amazon Web Services). TDAI supports a virtual Data Commons connecting users for sharing data sets, knowledge, and software; shared services to accelerate tech transfer, health- and business-related analyses, and development of a secure interoperable analytical pipeline; and maximization of a cloud-based environment to integrate, develop, and incorporate workflow specifications compliant with the FAIR process. In June 2018, TDAI opened a 21,000 sq. ft. data analytics facility in the heart of The Ohio State University campus in Pomerene Hall. The facility has state of the art convening space and configurable project rooms that can accommodate 35-100 people; software, hardware, and visualization labs; hoteling workstations; and a Shared Services space for data and technical consultation.

Minimum Education Required

Master's degree in relevant field

Required Qualifications

At least 2 years of experience in:

• Designing courses/curriculum
• Mentoring and advising students
• Managing teams on complex projects
• Conducting external outreach

Desired:

• PhD in relevant field
• Diversity candidates are encouraged to apply

Final candidates are subject to successful completion of a background check.  A drug screen, physical, or psychological screening may be required during the post offer process.

The Ohio State University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation or identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other basis under the law. Employment at Ohio State requires the successful completion of a background check.