Faculty Professor Teaching Assistant - Full-Time at University of Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Job Description:

Faculty Leadership Role for Innovative Academic Programs
The School of Computing and Information (SCI) at the University of Pittsburgh (Pitt) invites applications for an inaugural Faculty Director for academic programs. The Faculty Director will spearhead SCI’s Professional Graduate Program Initiative (PGPI) for an innovative new class of academic programs (online and residential) that are inclusive, accessible, and affordable at scale for the workforce. The Faculty Director will work closely with a professional staff team, current and future faculty members, and future staff hires to shape the school’s PGPI offerings. These programs include the school’s signature online Master of Data Science (MDS) and our interdisciplinary residential undergraduate data science major as well as future offerings. The Faculty Director will teach courses and hold an appointment as Teaching Assistant, Teaching Associate, or Teaching Professor.

The Faculty Director will promote and implement a vision for graduate and undergraduate education at SCI focused on career advancement and social mobility of learners. This role involves a combination of curricular innovation, academic program leadership, and teaching, along with establishing partnerships across the university and industry to ensure programs meet high quality standards and evolving workforce needs.

The key responsibilities of the Faculty Director include:
• Lead faculty in managing, improving, and developing academic programs, focusing on interdisciplinary, workforce-aligned curricula to expand access.
• Collaborate with faculty to design and implement stackable credentials that support lifelong learning and career development for a wide range of learners.
• Teach courses at SCI with a reduced teaching load to accommodate administrative responsibilities.
• Oversee academic program resources, including hiring and mentoring new faculty and staff, managing budgets, and advocating for infrastructure and support.
• Foster relationships with stakeholders to strengthen curricular relevance, experiential learning opportunities, and career placement outcomes.
• Develop program assessments, report outcomes, and implement improvements based on findings.
• Promote a representative, inclusive, and welcoming environment.

Commensurate with experience, the faculty rank for this position may be Teaching Assistant Professor, Teaching Associate Professor, or Teaching Professor in the appointment stream outside the tenured/tenure stream. The Faculty Director is appointed with a faculty position and has reduced teaching and summer compensation for administrative service. The Faculty Director’s home department will be selected through consultation with the candidate, department faculty, and the Dean.

Learn more about the school at our website https://sci.pitt.edu. Inquiries and nominations may be sent in confidence to sci-recruit@pitt.edu.

Required Qualifications
• Doctoral or terminal degree in Data Science, Computer Science, Information Science, or a related discipline.
• At least three years of teaching experience related to Data Science, Computer Science, Information Science, or a related discipline.
• Experience teaching in online or hybrid (online/in-person) environments.
• Experience with workforce-aligned curriculum development and academic program design.
• Interpersonal and communication skills to engage effectively with partners.

Preferred Qualifications
• Experience designing and delivering online courses and scalable programs at the undergraduate or graduate levels, especially for adult learners.
• Experience coordinating and/or developing faculty development initiatives focused on course design and delivery for the adult and online learner.
• Experience collaborating with private and public sector partners to develop career-focused, timely curricula.
• Leadership and management experience, such as budget oversight, strategic planning, staff management, grant writing, and faculty-staff collaboration.
• Proficiency in teaching and developing data science or computer science curricula, including capstone projects and experiential learning opportunities.
• Experience working in interdisciplinary settings and collaborating on complex initiatives with multiple stakeholders.
• Experience in using data-informed strategies for forecasting, assessment, and continuous improvement.
• A record of contributions to the field through research, scholarship, professional practice, or educational innovation.

About the School of Computing and Information (SCI)
As Pitt’s newest school, SCI is a growing, interdisciplinary community dedicated to collaboratively transforming lives for a better digital future, from our community to the world. Since 2017, SCI has hired over 40 faculty members and continues to expand. We create transformative education and conduct research that enrich both individual and societal growth, powered by innovation and impact. We seek candidates who share our values to nurture and sustain an equitable and inclusive environment for students, faculty, staff, alumni, and our many partners.

SCI is committed to the well-being of our community through its scholarship, education, and faculty development initiatives, including programs and policies to promote a healthy work-life balance; support for two-career couples; professional development, career advancement, and mentoring; and ongoing efforts to recruit, retain, and develop a faculty representative of society. Candidates who have experience working with students from varied lived experiences are especially encouraged to apply.

Application Process
Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, a teaching statement, optional evidence of teaching assessment, optional letter of commitment to representation, and the names of at least three recommenders. The cover letter should outline the candidate’s vision for academic programs and detail their experience in academic programs and curricular innovation. Six recommendation letters are needed for appointment at rank of Teaching Associate Professor or Teaching Professor. Candidates have the option to be notified before recommenders are contacted.

Application review is underway. For full consideration, please submit applications by February 1, 2025. Applications will be accepted after this date until the position is filled or May 1, 2025, whichever comes first. On-campus interviews are expected to begin after February 1, 2025, with a start date of August 15, 2025.

Questions about the search and/or application status may be emailed to sci-recruit@pitt.edu.

The University of Pittsburgh is committed to championing all aspects of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility within our community. This commitment is a fundamental value of the University and is crucial in helping us advance our mission, which includes attracting and retaining diverse workforces. We will continue to create and maintain an environment that allows individuals to discover, belong, contribute, and grow, while honoring the experiences, perspectives, and unique identities of all.

The University of Pittsburgh is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and values equality of opportunity, human dignity and diversity. EOE, including disability/vets.

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