Assistant Professor

University of Maryland, College Park

 

iSchool/Government and Politics

 

2 Assistant Professors

 

American Politics, Comparative Politics, International Politics, and Political Methodology that intersect with Information Science.

 

 

Position Summary:

 

The Department of Government and Politics (GVPT) in the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences (BSOS) and the College of Information Studies (iSchool) at the University of Maryland, College Park, invite applications for two tenure-track positions at the assistant professor level. These positions are open to applicants from any fields within political and information sciences that apply data science concepts and methods in their work. GVPT and the iSchool particularly seek candidates whose scholarship and teaching interests address important social science problems in the fields of American Politics, Comparative Politics, International Politics, and Political Methodology that intersect with Information Science.

 

 

We encourage candidates to demonstrate how their research contributes toward social justice and equity, diversity and inclusion, or ethical access to information. Both faculty members will have joint appointments at GVPT and iSchool – one with a tenure home at GVPT and the other at the iSchool. Tenure home will be negotiated at the time of hire.

 

 

Position Duties/Responsibilities:

 

The successful candidates will be expected to contribute to the newly formed undergraduate Major in Social Data Science, which is a BSOS-iSchool joint program. We seek a candidate who will build upon our record of educating political and information scientists committed to leadership, service, research, and innovative practice and impact.

 

 

The successful candidates will be expected to have a high-impact research agenda and to seek external funding for research. They 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:

 

 

• Social media politics

   

  Information disorder (misinformation, disinformation, etc.)

   

  Online political and civic participation

   

  Political power in information systems

   

 

While these areas of expertise are of particular interest, candidates with expertise and interest in other relevant topics that apply data science methods 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.

 

 

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 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 research projects and disseminating research results

   

  Designing and developing curricula related to information science

   

  Crafting exceptional educational experiences for students

   

  Participating in shared governance

   

  Contributing to relevant professional communities

   

 

Minimum Qualifications:

 

• A Ph.D. degree at the time of appointment

   

  Demonstrate research excellence, including a record of peer-reviewed research in one or more areas described in the position summary above, or related areas and potential to attract external support 

   

  Interest in developing effective and innovative courses.

   

 

Preferred Qualifications: 

 

• Recognized for notable research projects, peer-reviewed publications, or other scholarly contributions 

   

  In-person and/or online course development and teaching experience in related areas

   

  Demonstrated dedication and service in academia, professional organizations, and research communities

   

 

Campus/Department Information:

 

With a commitment to advancing social justice, the iSchool envisions a world where information and technology break down barriers and create new possibilities for individuals, communities, and organizations to achieve their full potential. Our faculty and students are a multidisciplinary and generative community of approximately 40 tenured and tenure track faculty, 40 professional track faculty, and 90 doctoral students. Our College enrolls over 1,700 diverse students in nine degree programs: Ph.D. in Information Studies, Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS), Master of Information Management (MIM), Master of Science in Human Computer Interaction (HCIM), Master of Professional Studies in Game, Entertainment, and Media Analytics (GEM), Master of Professional Studies in Data Journalism, Bachelor of Science in Social Data Science, Bachelor of Arts in Technology and Information Design (InfoDesign), and Bachelor of Science in Information Science (InfoSci), which is the fourth largest major at UMD.

 

 

The Social Data Science (SoDa) Center is a joint effort between the iSchool and BSOS that leverages UMD’s substantial strengths in survey methods, measurement, information management, visualization, and analytics to conduct research, provide education, and work with partners to advance social data science and measurement.

 

 

Diversity Statement:

 

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.

 

 

Background Checks:

 

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

 

 

Vaccine Protocol:

 

The University of Maryland has made the safety of our students, faculty and staff, and our surrounding communities a top priority. As part of that commitment, the University System of Maryland (USM) recently announced that students, faculty, and staff on USM campuses this fall, including UMD, are required to be vaccinated against COVID. As a prospective and/or new employee at UMD, you will be required to comply with the University’s vaccination protocol. Proof of full vaccination will be required before the start of employment in order to work at any University of Maryland location. Prospective or new employees may seek a medical or religious exemption to the vaccination requirement and must have an approved exemption prior to the start of their employment.

 

 

Hiring and appointment are subject to College and University approval.

 

To apply you will need to provide:

 

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

   

  Your CV

   

  Provide 3 professional references.  Each will receive a request from the University ejobs@umd.edu system.  We ask that each references include their title, institution, contact information (including phone number and e-mail address), the capacity in which they have known you, and how long they have known you.

   

  A statement of your research interests and accomplishments

   

  A statement of your teaching philosophy

   

 

Interested candidates should apply using the University of Maryland ejobs system.  Goto:  https://ejobs.umd.edu/postings/98270

 

 

For best consideration, complete applications should be submitted by September 23, 2022.

 

 

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.