The Division of Plant Science and Technology (DPST) in the College
of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR) at the
University of Missouri (MU) seeks an Instructor for Data Science in
the Life Sciences. The position is a 12-month unranked, non-regular
faculty position. Data science is crucial to advance the field of
plant biology and tackle global challenges such as climate change
and food security. With the increasing volume and complexity of
biological and -omics data, understanding and enabling data science
techniques is a requisite to analyze and interpret large datasets
more efficiently. Our division is committed to training the next
generation of scientists and is planning to integrate data science
into our undergraduate and graduate plant science curriculum. We
are recruiting an effective instructor, who will design and teach
data science modules with an emphasis in the life sciences and
plant biology.
Responsibilities: Primary responsibility will be to develop
and deliver face-to-face and online courses as part of a new
undergraduate/graduate Data Science in the Life Sciences
certificate program. The candidate should be able to discuss
program goals and to establish clear course and learning
objectives. The successful candidate is expected to utilize
innovative classroom techniques and methodologies that involve
students from different life science disciplines in challenging
learning and creative active-learning experiences. The
responsibilities also include providing feedback to students that
will enhance their academic growth, adapting course objectives and
strategies according to student needs and student evaluations, and
conducting formative and summative assessments of student learning.
As an integral faculty member of DPST, the candidate will
collaborate with other teaching faculty of the Division and
participate in faculty meetings and committees.
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications: A Masters degree in data science,
computer science, informatics, mathematics, statistics, or a
related discipline at the time of hire.
Candidates will be evaluated on: Demonstrated skills in
verbal and written communication. Learner-focused orientation and
commitment to quality in all aspects related to content delivery.
Ability to multitask effectively and possess excellent time
management and organizational skills. Previous experience in any
area of life sciences and/or plant sciences Familiarity with SQL,
R, Python and other statistical tools.
Application Materials
Application Procedure: Apply online at https://hr.missouri.edu/job-openings
for Job ID 54330 . Please submit (1) your resume, (2) a
letter of application explaining your suitability for the
advertised position, (3) a teaching philosophy and examples of
previous teaching experience, (4) and the contact information for
at least 3 references.
Contact: Questions pertaining to the job may be directed to
Dr. David Mendoza-Czatl (mendozacozatld@missouri.edu), Chair of
the Search Committee, and Graduate Program Director of DPST.
Questions regarding the application process should be directed to
Human Resource Services at (573) 882-7976 or muhrs@missouri.edu .
Application Deadline
Candidate screening will begin January 20, 2025, but applications
will be accepted until the position is filled.
Other Information
The Division of Plant Science and Technology includes a diverse
group of approximately 50 faculty, including a strong agriculture
Extension program that works with dozens of agronomic and
horticultural Extension specialists located across the state. The
University of Missouri campus is located in Columbia, MO, a vibrant
and growing college town of over 120,000 with a high quality of
life and relatively low cost of living. Columbia is located in
central Missouri, half-way between Kansas City and St. Louis, about
2 hours from each of those metropolitan areas. Missouri is a state
with both a strong agriculture base and abundant natural areas for
recreation and enjoyment. Learn more about Columbia and Missouri at
https://www.visitcolumbiamo.com
.
Benefit Eligibility
This position is eligible for University benefits. As part of your
total compensation, the University offers a comprehensive benefits
package, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement,
and educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses. For
additional information on University benefits, please visit the
Faculty & Staff Benefits website at https://www.umsystem.edu/totalrewards/benefits.
Values Commitment
We value the uniqueness of every individual and strive to ensure
each persons success. Contributions from individuals with diverse
backgrounds, experiences and perspectives promote intellectual
pluralism and enable us to achieve the excellence that we seek in
learning, research and engagement. This commitment makes our
university a better place to work, learn and innovate.
In your application materials, please discuss your experiences and
expertise that support these values and enrich our missions of
teaching, research, and engagement.
Equal Employment Opportunity
The University of Missouri System is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Equal Opportunity is and shall be provided for all employees and
applicants for employment on the basis of their demonstrated
ability and competence without unlawful discrimination on the basis
of their race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex,
pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression,
age, disability, or protected veteran status, or any other status
protected by applicable state or federal law. This policy applies
to all employment decisions including, but not limited to,
recruiting, hiring, training, promotions, pay practices, benefits,
disciplinary actions and terminations. For more information, visit
https://www.umsystem.edu/ums/hr/eeo or call the
Director of Employee and Labor Relations at 573-882-2146.
To request ADA accommodations, please call the Director of
Accessibility and ADA at 573-884-7278.