Assistant/Associate Professor

Job summary

This is a Tenure Track position. Academic tenure is based upon performance and approval of the faculty and may be considered after the initial or subsequent 3-year appointment period. Selectee may be offered initial appointment with tenure if their academic credentials warrant the action. Performs Assistant/Associate Professor of Data Science duties in the Department of Operational Sciences in the Graduate School of Engineering and Management at AFIT.

Major duties

Performs the following faculty duties in the Department of Operational Sciences, Graduate School of Engineering and Management, Air Force Institute of Technology: Teaching Teaches students in graduate courses, including the associated duties of enforcing classroom standards, preparing course materials according to published course descriptions, and providing extra instruction outside of normal class hours for students who require it. Teaching includes all activities by a faculty member within the formal academic degree programs of the Institute. Teaching contributes to the efforts of students to acquire intellectual skills, to extend knowledge and understanding, or to develop attitudes and habits that foster continuing growth. The diversity of teaching activities includes classroom lectures, laboratory and project course supervision and teaching, program and course development, development of pedagogical materials, supervision of doctoral and master's students, and related activities outside the classroom. Excellence in teaching draws continuously upon the teacher's ability as a scholar in the discipline. Provides well-organized instruction to facilitate, assess, and continuously improve student learning. Counsels and evaluates assigned students, providing student assessment and motivation. Research: Scholarly activities and professional accomplishments. Initiates and conducts a program of research in the field of specialization, which contributes to the body of knowledge. Pursues professional development through membership in professional societies and participation in conferences or other appropriate activities to maintain professional and academic currency in area of specialization. Research is defined as inquiry undertaken to establish facts, develop principles, or illuminate or answer questions within an area of intellectual pursuit through the systematic collection of evidence that can be subjected to replication, verification, or critical evaluation by persons other than the original researcher. Research activity is expected to result in peer-reviewed journal publications, invited or reviewed conference presentations and proceedings, research grants, review papers, monographs, and seminar and colloquium presentations. Faculty members are expected, over their careers, to establish and sustain sponsored research, to include funding sufficient to support their scholarly activities. Service and Administration Service is defined as contributions and activities that promote the general welfare of the Institute, the academic discipline, the Department of War, and society at large. Graduate faculty members provide advice and counsel to improve the quality of educational programs. Faculty members serve internally through various departmental, School and Institute committees. They are active in School governance, assume administrative duties within the Department, and mentor junior faculty members. Service includes displaying a collegial spirit of cooperation and contribution to the affairs of the Department, the School, and the Institute. Faculty serve their respective disciplines by refereeing journal articles, conference papers and grant proposals, organizing professional conferences or sessions, as members of editorial boards, as officers of professional societies, and as members of national and/or international review boards and committees. Faculty contribute to the overall mission of the U.S. Air Force and Department of War by providing expert consultation, serving on advisory boards, and facilitating technology transfer.

Qualification

This is a Tenure track position: Academic tenure is based upon performance and approval of the faculty and may be considered after the initial or subsequent 3-year period. Selectee may be offered an initial appointment with tenure if their academic credentials warrant such an action. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS: An earned doctoral degree in statistics, applied statistics, computational statistics, data science, operations research, industrial engineering, or a related discipline is required before employment begins (projected for Fall 2026). Commensurate with their intended academic rank, the applicant's record of scholarship must show the ability or potential to (1) conduct and disseminate scholarly research, (2) effectively teach graduate level courses in the fields of data science and operations research, and (3) meet professional and institutional service obligations. Knowledge and expertise of current defense technologies, and where appropriate, defense programs at the national level including political processes, military budgeting priorities, and developing alliances between departments and agencies. Possess the ability to communicate clearly and expertly in both verbal and written forms concerning academic, administrative, and technical subject matters. DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS: The applicant should be able to provide excellent instruction. Evaluation will be based on the quality, quantity, and relevance of recent instruction provided by the candidate with respect to relevant applied statistics, data science, or operations research courses. Experience in the specialty area of interest (i.e., applied and computational statistics such as multivariate regression, experimental design, response surface methodology, and natural language processing) is of increased value. For soon-to-graduated applicants, newly graduated applicants, or applicants without experience as a faculty member in academia, relevant coursework, industrial, and research experiences may serve as a (less-valued) proxy for actual teaching experiences. The applicant should be able to establish and maintain a high-quality research program. Evaluation will be based on the quality, quantity, and consistency of the candidate's recent past research record (e.g., within the last 5 years), the candidate's future research potential (e.g., plans for the next 5 years), theses and dissertations advised, industrial experience, awards, consultations, and grant monies received. The applicant should be able to actively support the academic environment at a level consistent with their intended academic rank. Evaluation will be based on the intensity and frequency of leadership and membership activities in professional, institutional, faculty, and student organizations. At the Assistant Professor Rank: A relevant earned doctoral degree from an accredited academic institution or equivalent experience and professional recognition; demonstrated or presumptive potential for effective teaching, research, consultation, and other scholarly and professional activities. At the Associate Professor Rank: A relevant earned doctoral degree from an accredited academic institution or an appropriate terminal professional or academic degree; evidence of sustained teaching effectiveness; research, scholarly, create, and professional activities including publication in appropriately recognized professional journals (normally refereed archival), books, or monographs; discipline-related community service; and normally, no less than 5 years of significant professional experience, normally including a minimum of 3 years of full-time university-level teaching at the rank of Assistant Professor. Academic rank alone does not suffice for promotion to Associate Professor. Applicants will be assessed based on education, evidence of teaching effectiveness, quality of scholarship, and demonstrated service to educational institutions and the discipline commensurate with years in the discipline. PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week. VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

This position has a positive degree requirement or education forms the basis for qualifications, you MUST submit transcripts with the application. Official transcripts are not required at the time of application; however, if position has a positive degree requirement, qualifying based on education alone or in combination with experience, transcripts must be verified prior to appointment. An accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education must accredit education. Click here to check accreditation. FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying.

Evaluations

Starting September 27, 2025, USAJOBS began restricting all resumes to two pages in length. Applicants possessing the required qualifications as contained within this announcement will be evaluated and ranked by a Faculty-Rating Panel based on the extent to which their experience and education relate to the requirements of the position. A personal interview and presentation to the faculty may be required of the top applicants. Applicants will be assessed based on their teaching credentials, scholarship, service, and education. Your application package (curriculum vitae, transcripts, supporting documents, etc.) will be used to determine your eligibility, qualifications, and quality ranking for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully. An incomplete package will result in non-consideration of your application. Interested persons should submit a curriculum vitae and a statement of interest that addresses the ways in which the applicant's qualifications meet the requirements of the ad to include evidence of teaching excellence and promise of research productivity. Additional documents are required to complete your application package, please reference the "How to Apply" and "Required Documents" section for more information.