The Department of Statistics in the Faculty of Science at the University of British Columbia (UBC), Vancouver invites applications from outstanding new investigators for a tenure-track position at the rank of Assistant Professor in the area of statistical machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI), with an anticipated start date of July 1, 2024 or January 1, 2025.
This position is offered as part of a new, interdisciplinary research cluster, AI Methods for Scientific Impact (AIM-SI) within UBC's Centre for AI Decision-making and Action (CAIDA). CAIDA consists of over 100 researchers whose research leverages AI; AIM-SI is hiring five new faculty members: two in Computer Science, two in Statistics, and one in Mathematics. Those recruited will join over a dozen existing researchers who are highly active in the core AI Methods research community at UBC.
Candidates must have a Ph.D. in Statistics, Biostatistics, or a related field and must demonstrate evidence of research success and a high potential to be leaders in their research field. The successful candidate should have a strong record of research productivity commensurate with their experience and will be expected to develop an independent research program in an area that complements existing Department expertise and aligns with opportunities at UBC. The successful candidate will be expected to effectively supervise Statistics graduate students, collaborate with other faculty members, obtain external funding, teach undergraduate and graduate Statistics courses, and actively participate in departmental activities. The successful candidate will have a strong commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion, to create a welcoming community for all, particularly those who are historically, persistently or systemically marginalized.
The Department of Statistics is a leading international centre for statistical science. Faculty members excel in both theory and methods research as well as collaborative research with domain-area experts. The Department hosts a vibrant graduate program as well as growing undergraduate programs, with recent initiatives positioning the Department as a hub for innovation in statistical education. The Department is also home to the Applied Statistics and Data Science Group (ASDa), which supports research and graduate-level training both inside and outside the department. In conjunction with the Department of Computer Science, the Department co-offers a Master of Data Science and an undergraduate Minor in Data Science. As well, the Department is actively involved in the Faculty of Science’s research-focused Data Science Institute, which brings together a critical mass of Data Science researchers at UBC. The Vancouver campus of UBC is situated on traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam).
The hiring process will involve a departmental hiring committee, which will follow the department’s standard hiring process and consider criteria for a faculty member in areas of research, teaching and service contributions, and an AIM-SI Steering Committee, which will assess whether the candidates short-listed by the departmental hiring committee satisfy the following criteria: (1) the candidate’s demonstrated focus on AI methods research and sustained record of publication either (i) at recognized AI-methods venues or (ii) of work that the Steering Committee judges meets the bars both for quality and for focus on AI Methods required for publication at such venues; and (2) candidate’s commitment to interdisciplinary scientific impact, based on publication record and an interdisciplinarity statement. This statement, with a maximum length of two pages, must explain a candidate's track record and future plans for AI methods research aiming at scientific impact. This statement must also describe and advocate for a workshop the candidate would be interested in helping to organize at UBC for both AIM-SI members and interdisciplinary researchers beyond the cluster.
All applications must be submitted online via the Academic Jobs Online website. Interested applicants should submit a detailed Curriculum Vitae, a research statement, a teaching statement, a diversity statement, the interdisciplinarity statement described above, and the names of three references who have been asked to send reference letters (via upload to Academic Jobs Online). In addition to surveying key themes in their past and future research, candidates may choose to use part of their research statement to explain why their research program should be understood as focusing on AI methods. The teaching statement should address the applicant’s teaching interests and provide a record of their teaching experience. The diversity statement should describe an applicant’s experience working with a diverse student body, as well as past, present, and/or future contributions to creating/advancing a culture of equity and inclusion on campus or within a particular discipline.
Applications must be complete by November 15, 2023, including the receipt of the three reference letters.
Questions about the recruitment can be directed to the search committee chair, Dr. Trevor Campbell, at the address search [at] stat.ubc.ca.
UBC hires on the basis of merit and is committed to employment equity. Equity and diversity are essential to academic excellence. An open and diverse community fosters the inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented or discouraged. Inclusion is built by individual and institutional responsibility through continuous engagement with diversity to inspire people, ideas, and actions for a better world. We encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the B.C. Human Rights Code, including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Métis, Inuk, or Indigenous person. In assessing applications, UBC recognizes the legitimate impact that leaves (e.g., parental leave, leave due to illness) can have on a candidate’s record of research achievement. These leaves will be taken into careful consideration during the assessment process.
All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority, and members of historically marginalized groups will be given special consideration.
Also, within this hiring process we will make efforts to create an inclusive and equitable process for all candidates (including but not limited to people with disabilities). Confidential accommodations are available on request for applicants who are short-listed by contacting Dr. Paul Gustafson, at the address head [at] stat.ubc.ca.