Instructor for Data Science in the Life Sciences

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.

Minimum Qualifications: A Master's 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 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-Cozatl (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.

Candidate screening will begin January 20, 2025, but applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

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.

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 person's 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.