Tenure-Track Assistant Professor Faculty Position in Statistics/ Data Science

Position: The School of Science and Mathematics at Truman State University is seeking applicants for at least one full-time Tenure-Track position in Statistics and Data Science to begin August 2023. The position is expected to be at the rank of Assistant Professor. Ample opportunities for additional summer teaching and research mentoring are available, as well as opportunities to participate in the rich interdisciplinary culture of our university.

Responsibilities: Successful candidates will provide classroom instruction in undergraduate statistics and data science classes and online graduate data science courses offered by the Department of Statistics, advise and mentor Undergraduate and Master's-level students, including supervising capstone and thesis projects, maintain scholarly activity consistent with Truman's teacher-scholar model, serve on departmental and university committees, and perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications: A doctoral degree in statistics, data science, or a closely related field with substantial coursework or teaching experience in statistics and/or data science (ABD candidates will be considered with an expected Ph.D. completion prior to the start of the next contract date in August 2024.); and Coursework, teaching, or other programming experience using R Statistical Software.

Candidates will be evaluated on: academic qualifications listed above; evidence of strong oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills; demonstrated potential for and evidence of excellence in teaching a variety of undergraduate statistics courses offered by the statistics department; demonstrated potential for and evidence of excellence in teaching undergraduate courses in data science and graduate courses offered within the professional data science and analytical storytelling program; ability to advise and mentor undergraduate and graduate students, including supervision of capstone projects, masters' theses, and other research projects; evidence of and potential for scholarly activity consistent with the teacher-scholar model; and desire and ability to support Truman’s liberal arts and sciences mission inside and outside of the department, including an understanding of the role of analytical storytelling as a component of data science, and how statistics and data science students should learn to consider communication, ethics, and their broader impact on society.

Salary:  Salary is commensurate with experience. Truman offers an attractive benefits package including life, health, and disability insurance.

Program: The Department of Statistics at Truman State University has, in addition to an undergraduate statistics major with concentrations in classical statistics and data science, recently launched a Professional Masters Degree in Data Science and Analytic Storytelling. The department has 10 full-time faculty members with a variety of specialties who support our programs and campus-wide needs with over 50 sections of undergraduate statistics and 20 sections of graduate data science courses annually. We also offer an undergraduate Statistics Minor and actively support an Actuarial Science minor, statistically-related majors across campus, and other interdisciplinary areas such as environmental science. More information about the department can be found at http://stat.truman.edu.

The University: Truman State University is home to a vibrant educational community. The approximately 4,000 students who make up its student body are well prepared for the challenging academics in a supportive environment. More than 20 percent engage in significant undergraduate research and creative projects. Most gain leadership experience and nearly half go on to graduate or professional school within a year of earning a degree. Founded in 1867, Truman is known for its focus on student learning and outcomes and places an emphasis on high-impact experiences such as internships, research and study abroad opportunities. Truman has the highest overall graduation rate among the state’s public colleges and universities. For more than two decades, Truman has been recognized as the No. 1 public university in the Midwest regional category by U.S. News & World Report, and Washington Monthly consistently ranks Truman as one of the best master’s universities in the nation. For more information regarding additional rankings and acknowledgments, visit truman.edu/about.

The Community: Located in northeast Missouri, Kirksville is a cultural and economic hub in the region. In addition to being the home of Truman, Kirksville is the birthplace of osteopathic medicine and features a medical school, dental school and community college, and the Kirksville School District is consistently recognized for academic excellence. The community takes pride in several annual events including the Round Barn Blues Festival and the FLATS Trail Half-Marathon. The charming downtown area features an arts center, as well as several local shops and restaurants. It is also the site of numerous community events including the Red, White and Blue Festival in the summer and the Red Barn Arts and Craft Festival each fall. Just a few minutes outside of town is beautiful Thousand Hills State Park with hiking and biking opportunities surrounding the 700-acre Forest Lake. Kirksville offers easy access by car to Kansas City, St. Louis, Chicago and Des Moines. Daily flights from Kirksville Regional Airport to St. Louis provide quick access to one of the Midwest’s major metropolitan areas. More information about Kirksville can be found at visitkirksville.com.

Application: The application process is handled by the School of Science and Mathematics.  Electronic submission of applications is preferred and the process can be completed at http://employment.truman.edu/. Application materials may also be submitted to hrstaff@truman.edu or by mail to Truman State University, Office of Human Resources, 100 E. Normal MC 101, Kirksville, 63501.   Completed applications must include a letter of application that clearly addresses the qualifications and evaluative criteria listed above, a statement of teaching philosophy, a statement of research interests and goals, current curriculum vitae, official or unofficial undergraduate and graduate transcripts, and three letters of recommendation.

Review of applications will begin on November 7, 2022 and continue until the position is filled.   If hired, applicants must provide proof of eligibility to work in the United States, official graduate transcripts, or documentation of degrees if transcripts are not available.  Final candidates will be expected to undergo and successfully pass a background check.

Questions about this position may be directed to Dr. K. Scott Alberts, Department of Statistics Chair, salberts@truman.edu.

Truman State University is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer committed to assembling a diverse, broadly trained faculty and staff. Women, minorities, people with disabilities and veterans are strongly encouraged to apply. In compliance with applicable laws and in furtherance of its commitment to fostering an environment that welcomes and embraces diversity, Truman State does not discriminate on the basis of age, color, disability, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or protected veteran status in its program or activities, including employment, admissions, and educational programs. Inquiries may be directed to the Institutional Compliance Officer, 660-785-4354 and titleix@truman.edu.

Truman State is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. To request this document in an alternate form or to request an accommodation, please contact Human Resources, McClain Hall 101, 100 E. Normal, Kirksville, MO 63501, 660-785-4031 or hrstaff@truman.edu.