UC Davis is dramatically expanding in the interrelated areas of data science, network science, and computational neuroscience. We have been approved to hire 10+ new faculty across a range of departments and centers over a 3-year period in a variety of departments including (but not limited to) communication, computer science, ecology, physics, psychology, statistics, mathematics, and neuroscience. Most of these positions are divided into three separate but interacting clusters: Data Science, Network Science, and Computational Neuroscience.
Data Science Cluster
UC Davis is creating a new academic unit for Data Science, seeded with four new tenure track positions. Data Science is the process and pipeline by which we develop insights and make breakthroughs via data-driven explorations and discovery of well-framed questions. It is a new "fourth" paradigm for research and policy.
Data Science is more than advances in Computer Science, Statistics and Mathematics. These are vital ingredients that Data Science integrates differently than any one of them alone. Data Science is inherently multidisciplinary, integrative and translational. It is broadening existing disciplines to address qualitatively new questions, in qualitatively new ways.
We are seeking a new, less traditional type of faculty that explicitly spans multiple disciplines and not siloed or labeled by one field. We want faculty who are focused on solving important problems in different domains with novel data-driven approaches. These faculty will enable qualitatively new research across many fields by developing collaborations that provide Data Science expertise and perspectives that are needed to make the research feasible. While solving problems in specific domains, they will generalize approaches and develop new and general data science methods, techniques and tools. The ideal candidates fall into either of two categories:
The faculty will work synergistically with the Data Science Initiative to explore challenging applications of Data Science, foster a broad Data Science community on campus, and engage industrial collaborators.
More information about the broad definition of Data Science at UC Davis can be found at the Data Science Initiative. Please contact Prof. Duncan Temple Lang to discuss any questions about the positions and vision for Data Science at Davis.
UC Davis is creating a new academic unit for Data Science, seeded with four new tenure track positions. Data Science is the process and pipeline by which we develop insights and make breakthroughs via data-driven explorations and discovery of well-framed questions. It is a new "fourth" paradigm for research and policy.
Data Science is more than advances in Computer Science, Statistics and Mathematics. These are vital ingredients that Data Science integrates differently than any one of them alone. Data Science is inherently multidisciplinary, integrative and translational. It is broadening existing disciplines to address qualitatively new questions, in qualitatively new ways.
We are seeking a new, less traditional type of faculty that explicitly spans multiple disciplines and not siloed or labeled by one field. We want faculty who are focused on solving important problems in different domains with novel data-driven approaches. These faculty will enable qualitatively new research across many fields by developing collaborations that provide Data Science expertise and perspectives that are needed to make the research feasible. While solving problems in specific domains, they will generalize approaches and develop new and general data science methods, techniques and tools. The ideal candidates fall into either of two categories:
- A PhD doing research in a core field of Data Science (e.g., Statistics, Machine Learning, Computer Science, Data Technologies, Data Visualization) whose focus is fueled by novel, advanced, challenging data-driven problems from applied domains, OR
- A PhD in a non-Data Science field that is pioneering and evangelizing Data Science in that field (and others) and who has a very strong applied Data Science credentials.
The faculty will work synergistically with the Data Science Initiative to explore challenging applications of Data Science, foster a broad Data Science community on campus, and engage industrial collaborators.
More information about the broad definition of Data Science at UC Davis can be found at the Data Science Initiative. Please contact Prof. Duncan Temple Lang to discuss any questions about the positions and vision for Data Science at Davis.
Network Science Cluster
UPDATE, Oct 23, 2017.
Link to detailed description of open position and application materials.
The paradigm of networks is emerging as a unifying theme across the scholarly disciplines, and at UC Davis we have tremendous strengths in empirical analysis of network data across all of our colleges, divisions, and campuses from political science to engineering to medicine. We plan to now grow our core of faculty who are focused on the foundations of network science including the mathematical theory and methodology to connect network structure with function and connect network theory with practice. We seek faculty hires who can integrate across theory traditions in the mathematical, physical and social sciences, and who are eager to partner with our broad existing base of network practitioners to develop deep understanding of network principles, actionable insights for empirical analysis, and policy implications for our modern world composed of interconnected networks. We have two specific target areas, each with an associated faculty hire at the Assistant or Associate Professor level:
1) The first hire was completed last year for a scholar to develop rigorous methodology for network analysis based in the Department of Environmental Science and Policy. The focus is on quantitative understanding of how social networks are linked to resilience, adaptation, governance, social sensing, and spatial and temporal networks, as they relate to agriculture, ecology and the environment. Understanding social-ecological systems is one of the most promising research frontiers, and one that intimately integrates science and policy. Welcome Assistant Professor Tyler Scott!
2) The second hire is now ongoing, for a scholar to focus on developing mathematical underpinnings of network science and will be based in the Department of Computer Science or the Department of Physics, with the ideal candidate holding joint appointments in both departments. This scientist should have expertise in statistical physics of networks, graph theory, or algorithms for networks. Desired focus areas include dynamics of and on networks, phase transitions, game theoretic underpinnings, with applications to real world systems. Uncovering the mechanisms of network growth and function, resilience, adaptation and robust distributed function should enable deeper understanding of real-world networks across domains. For more information contact Raissa D'Souza.
UPDATE, Oct 23, 2017.
Link to detailed description of open position and application materials.
The paradigm of networks is emerging as a unifying theme across the scholarly disciplines, and at UC Davis we have tremendous strengths in empirical analysis of network data across all of our colleges, divisions, and campuses from political science to engineering to medicine. We plan to now grow our core of faculty who are focused on the foundations of network science including the mathematical theory and methodology to connect network structure with function and connect network theory with practice. We seek faculty hires who can integrate across theory traditions in the mathematical, physical and social sciences, and who are eager to partner with our broad existing base of network practitioners to develop deep understanding of network principles, actionable insights for empirical analysis, and policy implications for our modern world composed of interconnected networks. We have two specific target areas, each with an associated faculty hire at the Assistant or Associate Professor level:
1) The first hire was completed last year for a scholar to develop rigorous methodology for network analysis based in the Department of Environmental Science and Policy. The focus is on quantitative understanding of how social networks are linked to resilience, adaptation, governance, social sensing, and spatial and temporal networks, as they relate to agriculture, ecology and the environment. Understanding social-ecological systems is one of the most promising research frontiers, and one that intimately integrates science and policy. Welcome Assistant Professor Tyler Scott!
2) The second hire is now ongoing, for a scholar to focus on developing mathematical underpinnings of network science and will be based in the Department of Computer Science or the Department of Physics, with the ideal candidate holding joint appointments in both departments. This scientist should have expertise in statistical physics of networks, graph theory, or algorithms for networks. Desired focus areas include dynamics of and on networks, phase transitions, game theoretic underpinnings, with applications to real world systems. Uncovering the mechanisms of network growth and function, resilience, adaptation and robust distributed function should enable deeper understanding of real-world networks across domains. For more information contact Raissa D'Souza.
Computational Neuroscience Cluster
Linking the biology of the brain to the complex mental processes that define thoughts and behavior is one of the grand challenges of modern science. Advances in experimental neuroscience have led to an explosion in our ability to gather increasingly sophisticated data on brain processes at all scales. These technical advances demand new methods for the statistical analysis of the massive data sets produced by new recording techniques, and new computational models and theories to connect such measurements to circuit function and behavior. To meet this demand, UC Davis is expanding its representation in Computational Neuroscience through the hiring of 3 new tenure-track faculty positions. We seek faculty who will interact with the 80+ members of the Center for Neuroscience and the Center for Mind & Brain, and who will form an interdisciplinary cluster of researchers that individually and jointly tackles major unsolved problems in neuroscience. Specific target areas include:
1) Innovative data analysis and modeling methods for linking cognitive and/or affective processes to their underlying substrates. This position will be a joint appointment between Psychology and either Computer Science or Statistics.
2) Models and methods for understanding how cognition and behavior emerge from electrical and chemical signals at the molecular, cellular, circuit and/or systems levels. This position will either reside entirely in the Department of Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior (NPB) or be joint between this department and a quantitatively focused department such as Math, Physics, Statistics, or Computer Science. This hire will occur in academic year 2017-2018.
3) Identifying general principles of brain function. This hire will develop and apply new theoretical frameworks for understanding neural recording data and for identifying common themes across different neurobiological systems. Depending on the background of the candidate, this position will reside in Physics, Mathematics, Statistics, or Computer Science, or be joint between one of those departments and the department of Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior. This hire will occur in academic year 2017-2018.
Linking the biology of the brain to the complex mental processes that define thoughts and behavior is one of the grand challenges of modern science. Advances in experimental neuroscience have led to an explosion in our ability to gather increasingly sophisticated data on brain processes at all scales. These technical advances demand new methods for the statistical analysis of the massive data sets produced by new recording techniques, and new computational models and theories to connect such measurements to circuit function and behavior. To meet this demand, UC Davis is expanding its representation in Computational Neuroscience through the hiring of 3 new tenure-track faculty positions. We seek faculty who will interact with the 80+ members of the Center for Neuroscience and the Center for Mind & Brain, and who will form an interdisciplinary cluster of researchers that individually and jointly tackles major unsolved problems in neuroscience. Specific target areas include:
1) Innovative data analysis and modeling methods for linking cognitive and/or affective processes to their underlying substrates. This position will be a joint appointment between Psychology and either Computer Science or Statistics.
2) Models and methods for understanding how cognition and behavior emerge from electrical and chemical signals at the molecular, cellular, circuit and/or systems levels. This position will either reside entirely in the Department of Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior (NPB) or be joint between this department and a quantitatively focused department such as Math, Physics, Statistics, or Computer Science. This hire will occur in academic year 2017-2018.
3) Identifying general principles of brain function. This hire will develop and apply new theoretical frameworks for understanding neural recording data and for identifying common themes across different neurobiological systems. Depending on the background of the candidate, this position will reside in Physics, Mathematics, Statistics, or Computer Science, or be joint between one of those departments and the department of Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior. This hire will occur in academic year 2017-2018.
Examples of Current Positions
This is just a sample of the positions available this year. All currently open positions at UC Davis can be found here . Additional positions will be announced later this year and/or in subsequent years. Important: If you would like to be considered for more than one of the open positions, please submit separate applications for each position of interest.
This is just a sample of the positions available this year. All currently open positions at UC Davis can be found here . Additional positions will be announced later this year and/or in subsequent years. Important: If you would like to be considered for more than one of the open positions, please submit separate applications for each position of interest.
Computational Neuroscience: two positions available
We are seeking up to two computational neuroscientists who either focus on models and methods at the molecular, cellular, circuit, and/or systems levels, or who focus on identifying general principles of brain function. The appointments will be at the Assistant Professor level. The positions may reside solely in, or be joint between, the Departments of Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior; Mathematics; Physics; Computer Science; or Statistics. Laboratory space for the positions will be located at either the interdisciplinary Center for Neuroscience or in one of the affiliated departments. See the full advertisement and apply to the position here: recruit.ucdavis.edu/apply/JPF01722, or contact Prof. Mark Goldman for additional details.
We are seeking up to two computational neuroscientists who either focus on models and methods at the molecular, cellular, circuit, and/or systems levels, or who focus on identifying general principles of brain function. The appointments will be at the Assistant Professor level. The positions may reside solely in, or be joint between, the Departments of Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior; Mathematics; Physics; Computer Science; or Statistics. Laboratory space for the positions will be located at either the interdisciplinary Center for Neuroscience or in one of the affiliated departments. See the full advertisement and apply to the position here: recruit.ucdavis.edu/apply/JPF01722, or contact Prof. Mark Goldman for additional details.
Network Science: position in Network Theory
UPDATE, Oct 23, 2017.
Link to detailed description of position and required application materials.
We are seeking to hire a scientist developing the theoretical underpinnings of network science. The appointment is approved for the Assistant or Associate Professor level, with the opportunity to hire at the Full Professor level also possible. The appointment will reside in the Department of Computer Science or the Department of Physics, with the ideal candidate holding joint appointments in both departments. This scientist should have expertise in the statistical physics of networks, graph theory, or algorithms for networks. Desired focus areas include dynamics of and on networks, phase transitions, game theoretic underpinnings, and applications to real-world networks. We seek faculty hires who can integrate across theory traditions in the mathematical, physical and social sciences, and who are eager to partner with our broad existing base of network practitioners to develop deep understanding of network principles, actionable insights for empirical analysis, and policy implications for our modern world. The official application site will open in early Oct. Contact Prof. Raissa D'Souza for more details with the subject "Network Theory Hire".
UPDATE, Oct 23, 2017.
Link to detailed description of position and required application materials.
We are seeking to hire a scientist developing the theoretical underpinnings of network science. The appointment is approved for the Assistant or Associate Professor level, with the opportunity to hire at the Full Professor level also possible. The appointment will reside in the Department of Computer Science or the Department of Physics, with the ideal candidate holding joint appointments in both departments. This scientist should have expertise in the statistical physics of networks, graph theory, or algorithms for networks. Desired focus areas include dynamics of and on networks, phase transitions, game theoretic underpinnings, and applications to real-world networks. We seek faculty hires who can integrate across theory traditions in the mathematical, physical and social sciences, and who are eager to partner with our broad existing base of network practitioners to develop deep understanding of network principles, actionable insights for empirical analysis, and policy implications for our modern world. The official application site will open in early Oct. Contact Prof. Raissa D'Souza for more details with the subject "Network Theory Hire".
Data Studies in Science & Technology Studies and Data Science
We are seeking an assistant or newly tenured professor with a strong research and teaching record in the social studies of the broad areas of data and data sciences. The appointee will help develop a Data Studies program focused on training Humanities and Social Science students to be strong contributors in data-driven jobs. These students will bring their critical reasoning training to ask the relevant questions and interpret the analytic results from the perspective of different stakeholders, and work with technical Data Scientists to provide value. The appointee will have a joint appointment in Science & Technology Studies and a new Data Science academic unit. Applicants should demonstrate authentic experience and hands-on work with real data. She/he will work collaboratively with Data Scientists, both on novel research applications and also studying the field of Data Science itself. Contact Prof. Colin Milburn and/or Prof. Duncan Temple Lang for additional details.
We are seeking an assistant or newly tenured professor with a strong research and teaching record in the social studies of the broad areas of data and data sciences. The appointee will help develop a Data Studies program focused on training Humanities and Social Science students to be strong contributors in data-driven jobs. These students will bring their critical reasoning training to ask the relevant questions and interpret the analytic results from the perspective of different stakeholders, and work with technical Data Scientists to provide value. The appointee will have a joint appointment in Science & Technology Studies and a new Data Science academic unit. Applicants should demonstrate authentic experience and hands-on work with real data. She/he will work collaboratively with Data Scientists, both on novel research applications and also studying the field of Data Science itself. Contact Prof. Colin Milburn and/or Prof. Duncan Temple Lang for additional details.
Data Science
We anticipate a search for one or more faculty in the broad area of Data Science. The appointee(s) will help to establish a new Data Science academic unit and several educational programs, and pursue a high-quality research program in both core Data Science and its interdisciplinary impact and applications. The appointee(s) will be either 1) a pioneer of Data Science in an application discipline and have very strong proficiency in several core Data Science sub-areas, or b) a researcher in a core Data Science field with a strong record in collaborative applications of Data Science. Data Science spans the entire research pipeline of data analysis, and includes identifying, accessing, transforming, organizing, managing, exploring, visualizing, modeling, and disseminating data, as well as results and insights. It also includes data technologies, high performance computing, scientific computing, governance, privacy, security, reproducibility, and provenance. All appointments will be either joint appointments with our emerging Data Science unit and another department, or entirely within the Data Science unit. Contact Prof. Duncan Temple Lang for additional details.
We anticipate a search for one or more faculty in the broad area of Data Science. The appointee(s) will help to establish a new Data Science academic unit and several educational programs, and pursue a high-quality research program in both core Data Science and its interdisciplinary impact and applications. The appointee(s) will be either 1) a pioneer of Data Science in an application discipline and have very strong proficiency in several core Data Science sub-areas, or b) a researcher in a core Data Science field with a strong record in collaborative applications of Data Science. Data Science spans the entire research pipeline of data analysis, and includes identifying, accessing, transforming, organizing, managing, exploring, visualizing, modeling, and disseminating data, as well as results and insights. It also includes data technologies, high performance computing, scientific computing, governance, privacy, security, reproducibility, and provenance. All appointments will be either joint appointments with our emerging Data Science unit and another department, or entirely within the Data Science unit. Contact Prof. Duncan Temple Lang for additional details.