Plant Science Phd Candidate Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Location : Remote
Job Type: Adjunct Faculty
Job Number: 1170
Department: Data Science - (College of Health and Sciences)
Opening Date: 09/02/2026
Join our vibrant community of dedicated faculty and staff who work to create a transformative educational experience rooted in faith, reason, and justice.
Eastern University is a nationally-recognized Christian university enrolling approximately 9,000 students in a wide array of undergraduate, graduate, professional, and seminary programs. The university's main campus is located in St. Davids, PA, with many programs also offered online. Eastern's core values of Faith, Reason, and Justice are woven into all of its educational offerings. Through dynamic programs, a vibrant campus community, and meaningful service learning opportunities, Eastern University is committed to providing students with transformative, accessible, and affordable education.
Position Description
The Dissertation Chair in the PhD in Applied Data Science program guides doctoral candidates through applied empirical research, leading committee oversight and ensuring methodological rigor from initial proposal through final defense. This is a part-time, adjunct faculty position in SMCS. This position is fully remote.
Position Responsibilities

1. Faith-Grounded Mentorship & Care: Integrate Christian faith and servant leadership into dissertation supervision by modeling grace, patience, and intentional care, fostering a growth-minded, supportive learning environment tailored to working adult learners.
2. Research & Writing Mentorship: Provide structured, actionable feedback on student drafts via collaborative digital tools (e.g., Google Docs), strictly adhering to a one-week turnaround to maintain momentum.
3. Committee Leadership: Help students assemble a qualified doctoral committee consisting of the Chair, at least one additional Eastern University faculty or staff member, and an optional external subject-matter expert.
4. Ethical & Methodological Governance: Ensure research designs adhere to quantitative, qualitative, or mixed-methods rigor, and mandate that any project involving human subjects completes Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval prior to data collection.
5. Academic Guidance: Demonstrate intentional care, empathy, and patience throughout the dissertation journey, fostering an encouraging, supportive learning environment tailored to working professionals.

Qualifications

• Candidates must have a commitment to excellent teaching in a Christian context.
• Education: An earned doctoral degree (PhD or equivalent) in Data Science, Computer Science, Statistics, Analytics, or a closely aligned field.
• Experience: Demonstrated track record of scholarly research, industry practice, or doctoral-level instruction and advising.
• Skills: Expertise in empirical research methodologies, strong written critique capabilities, and familiarity with online/hybrid doctoral mentoring.

About Eastern University
Eastern University is a Christian university of the arts and sciences that integrates faith, reason and justice for students in its undergraduate, graduate, seminary, urban, professional and international programs. Applicants should have a Christian commitment compatible with its mission and be willing to support the mission and vision of the university. The university complies with federal and state guidelines of nondiscrimination in employment; members of protected classes encouraged to apply.
Background Checks
Standard University employees are required to complete the background clearance process. Employment is contingent upon the successful results of an employment background screening. The employment background screening may include but is not limited to your consumer credit history (for positions that work with the university finances or alumni funds only), verification of education and professional credentials, criminal history, driving history, residency, immigration status, performance, references, and other qualities pertinent to your qualifications for the following position.
Youth Clearances are required for positions with direct contact with children and essential personnel positions. Employees working with or around minor age children are required to complete the youth clearance process which includes the following four child protection clearances:
1) Affidavit;
2) FBI Criminal Record Check;
3) Pennsylvania Department of Human Services Child Abuse History Clearance and;
4) Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Record Check.
In accordance with state laws, Act 73 of 2007, Act 153 of 2014, Act 168 (relating to the Child Protective Services Law), school employees of Eastern University who will have "direct contact with children" must complete the background check process prior to employment. Results must be submitted within ten days of receipt.
Description Disclaimer
This description is intended to describe the general level and nature of work performed by the person/people assigned to this position. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive list of duties and responsibilities of the person/people so assigned.
For all positions: Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.
Statement of Non-Discrimination
Eastern University is committed to the principles of equal opportunity as defined under federal and state law, and does not discriminate unlawfully on the basis of race, gender, sexual orientation, color, creed, disability, national/ethnic origin, age, disabled veteran/Vietnam-era, Genetic Information and Nondiscrimination Act (GINA), or veteran status in its admission policy, program, or activities, educational policies, scholarship and loan programs, athletic and other University-administered programs, or employment practices and programs.
We offer a complete benefits package to full-time faculty and staff including healthcare coverage, retirement plan contributions, flexible spending and health savings accounts, life insurance, long-term and short-term disability, tuition remission and tuition exchange participation as well as an extensive holiday, summer hours and paid time off leave schedule.
Part-time Regular staff who are scheduled 30-36 hours per week over the course of a year, receive a full benefit package based on their part-time scheduled hours. Healthcare coverage is based on the ACA medical coverage guidelines. Affiliate faculty receive a benefit package as outlined with their covenant. Adjunct faculty may be eligible for medical coverage under the ACA after an annual one year lookback review.
Part-time staff who are scheduled to work less than 30 hours per week schedule are eligible for employer contribution towards the retirement plan after one year of employment. Eligibility rules apply. Adjunct faculty may make employee deferral contributions towards the retirement plan.
Part-Time Graduate Assistant Coaches are eligible for participation in the Tuition Remission Coaches Program.
Temporary, Contractors and Seasonal Employees: Individuals in this status are scheduled on an as-needed-basis and are not eligible for participation in the University's benefits programs.
Detailed information regarding our benefits program and eligibility is provided once hired or you can contact Human Resources with any questions.