Contract Data Science Instructor Jobs in Winfield, IL

Description

The Data Science Institute at the University of Chicago invites applications for the position of Senior Instructional Professor (open rank) to lead the Data Science Clinic. The Data Science Clinic is an experiential project-based course where students work in teams as data scientists with real-world clients from industry, academia, and social impact organizations. You can view more information about the DSI Clinic on our website here ( ).

The candidate will be appointed as Assistant Senior Instructional Professor, Associate Senior Instructional Professor, or Senior Instructional Professor, depending on qualifications and years of experience in a similar role. The appointment will be made in the Data Science Institute.

The appointment will be for a term of up to five years, renewable. This is a career-track position with competitive salary and benefits. This position is expected to begin on or around December 1st, 2026.

Responsibilities include leading and teaching three quarters of the data science clinic courses as well as up to one additional course in data science. Additional responsibilities include hiring, evaluation, supervision, and mentoring of academic and staff appointees in the DSI Clinic program.

This position is benefits-eligible. The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook : 

The University of Chicago is implementing an ambitious plan for research and education in Data Science and AI, including new academic programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels and new cross-disciplinary research programs. The Data Science Institute  (datascience.uchicago.edu ) is a collaboration among the Department of Computer Science (cs.uchicago.edu ), the Department of Statistics (stat.uchicago.edu ), and other units on campus. Topics of interest include foundations and applications of artificial intelligence, machine learning, large language models, scientific AI and machine learning, data ethics and privacy, data visualization, societal impact of data and AI, safe and trustworthy AI, data engineering, scalable data systems, and high-dimensional statistical inference. 

We encourage applications from all researchers focused on developing the foundations and practice of Data Science as an emerging field. The Data Science Institute focuses on research that advances fundamental theories at the intersection of data science, artificial intelligence, statistics, and computing in the context of real-world and domain-specific problems. The Committee on Data Science (codas.uchicago.edu) is the home of data science education programs. The larger data science community at the University of Chicago includes the Committee on Computational and Applied Mathematics (cam.uchicago.edu ), the Toyota Technological Institute at Chicago (TTIC), the Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Fermilab and Argonne National Laboratory.

Qualifications

Required:

• A Ph.D. in a related field
• At least two years of experience teaching in a college or university as an instructor of record

Preferred:

• Training and professional experience in one or more of the following areas: data science, machine learning, artificial intelligence, databases, and applied statistics.
• Experience in management of experiential learning academic programs and personnel.
• And 3 years of industry experience with demonstrated quantitative, analytic, data science, and/or AI experience.

Application Instructions

Applications must be submitted online through the University of Chicago’s Academic Jobs website: apply.interfolio.com/ .

Review of applications will begin on October 1, 2026 and will continue until all positions are filled.

The following materials are required:

• Curriculum vitae
• Cover letter 
• A teaching statement including description of teaching philosophy, curricular development experience, and ability to interact with a diverse group of students
• Evidence of successful management of programs (or evidence of potential to do so)
• Evidence of teaching effectiveness (e.g., course evaluations, performance review, or other relevant assessments)
• Syllabi of courses previously designed and taught
• Three confidential letters of recommendation requested via Interfolio

Salary Range: 

Assistant SIP: $110,000 - $135,000; Associate SIP: $130,000 - $165,000; Full SIP: $165,000 - $200,000. This base pay range is for a nine-month academic appointment. Individuals may be eligible for additional summer work for additional pay.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information, please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination ( ). 

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call or email with their request.