Data Science Research Assistant Jobs in Minnesota

The Department of Mathematics, Statistics, and Computer Science (MSCS) at St. Olaf College invites applications for a full-time, tenure track position in Statistics and Data Science at the Assistant Professor level, to begin August 2027. We are looking for candidates who can contribute broadly to our growing statistics and data science program through teaching, research, and supervision of undergraduate research.
The normal teaching load is five courses per year. Teaching responsibilities include courses at all levels of a curriculum, from introductory courses to upper-level courses in one's field of expertise. Other important aspects of the position include the promotion of community-building and inclusivity within the MSCS Department and the College, student advising, and other service work in the department and across the college.
Salary: $77,200 - $82,000
Qualifications
Candidates must have or be completing a PhD in Statistics, Biostatistics, Data Science, or a closely related field such as Computer Science, Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Bioinformatics, or Epidemiology with a demonstrated interest and background in Statistics and Data Science. While we will consider all areas of specialization, candidates with interest/experience in Data Science who are poised to expand our course offerings at the 300-level are particularly encouraged to apply
About the Department
Our Mathematics, Statistics, and Computer Science (MSCS) Department includes thriving programs in mathematics, statistics and data science, computer science, mathematical biology, and mathematics education. While maintaining disciplinary rigor, we promote interactions and synergy among MSCS programs and across the college. The entire department works together to provide excellent learning environments for our students. We celebrate and share multiple pedagogical approaches, we support each other in wisely stewarding departmental resources, and we meet regularly to make decisions together. Furthermore, our department is committed to the work of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and we seek a tenure-track colleague who will contribute to inclusive excellence, engage undergraduates in innovative research, and teach a variety of courses across our Statistics and Data Science curriculum.
Possibilities abound for collaborative research; projects involving undergraduates are supported by St. Olaf's Collaborative Undergraduate Research and Inquiry program. Additionally, our Center for Interdisciplinary Research is a nationally recognized program that pairs MSCS faculty and students with faculty and students from other disciplines to share in the excitement and challenge of working across the traditional academic boundaries to collaborate on research. The St. Olaf mathematics program is among the largest and most successful at American undergraduate institutions, annually graduating about 75 mathematics majors. The statistics and data science program is also vibrant; as a new major, its inaugural class (2028) is slated to graduate over 50 students. The computer science program is growing quickly, doubling the number of majors (from the 20's to the 40's) in just a few years. St. Olaf is among the nation's top undergraduate origins of PhDs in the mathematical sciences. For more information about the department, visit wp.stolaf.edu/mscs.
We strive to be a campus of welcome where students, faculty, and staff thrive by bringing their full humanity-gender identity, sexuality, race, ethnicity, national origin, socioeconomic class, disability, religion, spirituality, and age-to St. Olaf each day. Our goal is to generate conversations and processes that over time create greater clarity, transparency, trust, cooperation, consensus, respect, and measurable outcomes. Practices that support this goal include listening, cultivating a growth mindset, respecting those with different views, being informed by data, and understanding that the work is ongoing, collaborative, organic, and ever evolving. We encourage applicants to familiarize themselves with our Community and Belonging website to learn more about our commitment and to identify how you might contribute to these efforts.
How to Apply
Throughout your materials, include how you would contribute to the development of a diverse and inclusive learning community at our college through your teaching, research, and/or service. A complete application includes the following:
References: Provide contact information for three professional references who can speak to your abilities in teaching and scholarship. Letters will be solicited from references by the search committee for candidates who advance to the interview stage.
Supporting Documents and URLS:

1. Cover letter (no more than 3 pages) that provides an executive summary of your:
   1. specific interest in joining the MSCS Department at St. Olaf College;
   2. training and experience in Statistics/Data Science, particularly if you do not have a PhD in Statistics, Biostatistics, or Data Science;
   3. experience in and vision for diversity, equity, and inclusion initiative in teaching, scholarship, service and/or community engagement;
   4. experience in and vision for teaching undergraduate students; include experience using inclusive pedagogy, active and innovative teaching strategies, and assessment of learning outcomes as applicable; and
   5. contributions to the scholarly field and future research goals.
2. Graduate transcripts (unofficial)
3. Teaching Statement: Statement of your teaching philosophy, including a discussion of pedagogical techniques used to create an active, inclusive classroom
4. Professional Statement: Statement of your research and interests, including the potential for engagement in research with undergraduates, that is written for a general statistics and data science audience

Review of applications will begin on October 1, 2026, and will continue until the position is filled. Applications received by that date will receive fullest consideration. Finalist interviews are expected in November. Questions about the position, department, or College may be directed to Prof. Katie Ziegler-Graham, Search Committee Chair, at tt2027sds@stolaf.edu.
About Us
Join Our Community - Work at St. Olaf!
Founded in 1874, St. Olaf College is a residential, coeducational liberal arts college with approximately 3,000 students and 800 faculty and staff. The college is located on a picturesque 300-acre campus in Northfield, Minnesota, a vibrant, historic river town of 20,000 located 45 minutes south of culturally rich and diverse Minneapolis and St. Paul.
The college offers an academically rigorous, nationally ranked liberal arts education that fosters the development of the whole person in mind, body, and spirit and emphasizes learning in an inclusive and globally engaged community. We encourage applications from candidates committed to multicultural understanding and the enrichment of our diverse community.
The college offers a comprehensive benefits package, including a 9% retirement match, contributions to eligible employees' health savings accounts, a significant tuition discount (up to a 90% reduction) at ACM, GLCA, and ELCA colleges and universities for employees' children, and generous paid time off. For a full review of the college's benefits, please see the summary of our benefits here: https://wp.stolaf.edu/hr/benefits/
To provide a safe and secure educational environment, St. Olaf College verifies the accuracy of all credentials presented by applicants and conducts a criminal background check on every new hire.
A summary of the Flexible Work Policy for staff: https://wp.stolaf.edu/hr/flexible-work-policy/
A link to our Community and Belonging page: https://wp.stolaf.edu/equity-inclusion/
A virtual campus tour: https://www.stolaf.edu/multimedia/play/?p=483
An overview of Northfield: https://wp.stolaf.edu/admissions/visit/northfield/
An overview of the Twin Cities: https://wp.stolaf.edu/admissions/visit/twincities/
For Staff Application Assistance:
hrstaff@stolaf.edu
507-786-3068
For Faculty Application Assistance:
facultysearch@stolaf.edu
507-786-3356
Nondiscrimination Policy
St. Olaf College does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, creed, national origin, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability, marital status, veteran status, or status with regard to public assistance. St. Olaf College prohibits discrimination and harassment based upon these and any other legally protected status in any education program or activity that it operates, including in admissions and employment.
Inquiries about this nondiscrimination policy may be referred to St. Olaf College's Director of Equal Opportunity, the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights, or both. St. Olaf's Director of Equal Opportunity (who serves as the College's Title IX, Title VI, and Section 504 Coordinator) is Pamela McDowell, Tomson Hall, mcdowell@stolaf.edu, (507) 786-3465.