Open Rank - Neuroengineering Cluster- Assistant/Associate/Full Professor
- Employer
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Location
- Chapel Hill, NC
View more categoriesView less categories
- Employment Type
- Full Time
- Institution Type
- Four-Year Institution
Job Details
Data Sci and Society - 371210
Posting Open Date:09/08/2026
Application Deadline:11/16/2026
Open Until Filled:No
Position Type:Permanent Faculty
Working Title:Open Rank - Neuroengineering Cluster- Assistant/Associate/Full Professor
Appointment Type:Open Rank
Vacancy ID:FAC0006079
Full-time/Part-time:Full-Time Permanent
Hours per week:40
FTE:1
Position Location:North Carolina, US
Hiring Range:Commensurate with Education and Experience
Proposed Start Date:07/01/2027
Be a Tar Heel!:A global higher education leader in innovative teaching, research and public service, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill consistently ranks as one of the nation’s top public universities. Known for its beautiful campus, world-class medical care, commitment to the arts and top athletic programs, Carolina is an ideal place to teach, work and learn.One of the best college towns and best places to live in the United States, Chapel Hill has diverse social, cultural, recreation and professional opportunities that span the campus and community.University employees can choose from a wide range of professional training opportunities for career growth, skill development and lifelong learning and enjoy exclusive perks for numerous retail, restaurant and performing arts discounts, savings on local child care centers and special rates on select campus events. UNC-Chapel Hill offers full-time employees a comprehensive benefits package, paid leave, and a variety of health, life and retirement plans and additional programs that support a healthy work/life balance.
Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit:In July 2026, UNC Chapel Hill launched the Division of Data Science and Society within the School of Data and Information Sciences (SDIS), a division devoted to data science teaching, research, scholarship, service, and creativity. DSS’s vision is to be a leader in shaping the field of data science through an interdisciplinary and rigorous grounding in theory and methods with a human centric approach to the entire data life cycle.
The mission of DSS is to empower a diverse community of faculty conducting research in the fundamentals and/or the applications of data science. The Division is training undergraduate, graduate, and professional students to be the next generation of data science leaders with the knowledge and skills to thrive in this data-driven world. The Division will serve the state, the nation, and the world through premier data science educational programs and innovative research directed to advancing the public good with human centric and ethical applications.
The core elements of SDIS include porous borders: leveraging our low walled collaborative Carolina culture to solve major societal problems. Interdisciplinary research clusters that cross Division and School boundaries are a vital element of our Scholarly community. The School of Data and Information Sciences is focused on students and education; the emphasis is not just on data science majors but on all students becoming data literate. The School’s culture has an open and transparent structure, governance, and business model.
The Division of Data Science and Society (DSS) at UNC-Chapel Hill’s School of Data and Information Sciences (SDIS) is excited to announce an open-rank tenure-track faculty position as part of the University’s neuroengineering cluster hire initiative. This cluster unites the Lampe Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, the Department of Computer Science, the Department of Neurosurgery, and DSS to build a collaborative, interdisciplinary hub in neuroengineering, focused on brain-computer interfaces (BCIs), brain function imaging and interpretation, closed-loop neuromodulation, and the translation of neuroengineering innovations into improved human health. Within this cluster, the DSS position will provide leadership in machine learning, statistical, and AI frameworks that transform complex large-scale, multi-modal neuroscience and behavioral data into clinically relevant insights, addressing core challenges of heterogeneity, dimensionality, harmonization, and data governance. This position complements cluster strengths in neuroengineering devices, real-time computing systems, and clinical translation, serving as a link between data acquisition, scientific discovery, and application.
The successful candidate will work with cluster faculty to develop and sustain an externally funded research program focused on understanding, predicting, and translating brain function into large-scale neural and behavioral data. Research areas of interest include machine learning and statistical inference for neural data, multimodal neural data integration and harmonization, computational modeling of cognition and behavior, neuroimaging analytics, adaptive neuromodulation, foundation models for neural and behavioral data, and related approaches that advance understanding of brain function and support neurotechnology development. A translational emphasis (such as clinical decision support or neurotechnology deployment) that can position this work to deliver direct, measurable benefits to human health is also desirable. Faculty in this cluster will be recruited with a strong commitment to team science, including joint appointments where appropriate, and coordinated research programs spanning devices, systems, computing, modeling, and translation. Through collaboration among faculty, students, external partners, and the clinical community, the Division of Data Science and Society in SDIS aims to translate research discoveries into tangible societal benefits. We invite you to join the DSS faculty and be part of this mission.
The applicants must have a Ph.D. and/or MD with expertise in artificial intelligence/machine learning, data science, computer science, statistics, computational neuroscience, biomedical engineering, or a related field that applies AI and data science techniques.
Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience:Preferred applicants will have a strong research record, evidence of interest in developing, teaching, and supervising courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels, and an aptitude in working collaboratively in interdisciplinary research. Research with a focus on machine learning and statistical inference for large-scale, multi-modal neural data is preferred. Expertise in areas such as computational modeling of cognition and behavior, brain-computer interfaces, closed-loop neuromodulation, neuroimaging, and explainable and interpretable AI is preferred. Additionally, candidates must be able to engage with researchers, clinicians, professionals, and stakeholders from diverse disciplines. A record of or the potential to secure external funding to support research projects is strongly preferred.
Campus Security Authority Responsibilities:This position is designated as a Campus Security Authority in accordance with the Clery Act. This position will be required to report Clery crimes to the Clery Compliance Manager and complete annual training about reporting responsibilities.
Special Instructions:Visit https://unc.peopleadmin.com/postings/325069 to apply. Application materials must be submitted online and include a curriculum vitae/resume, cover letter. The “other document” in the list of required documents to be submitted is a teaching statement and a research statement, combined in one document.
Please arrange for four reference letter writers to submit letters where indicated. They will receive an email with instructions for submitting letters of recommendation. Please ensure that at least one of the four letters address your teaching experience and qualifications.
Organization
The nation’s first public university is at the heart of what’s next, preparing a diverse student body to become creators, explorers, innovators and leaders in North Carolina and throughout the world. Carolina’s nationally recognized, innovative teaching, campus-wide spirit of inquiry and dedication to public service continue the legacy that began in 1795 when the University first opened its doors to students.
Here, in one of America's most beautiful college settings, we offer exceptional careers in richly diverse fields. Come explore what UNC-Chapel Hill has to offer you.
Undergraduate Enrollment: 19,117
Graduate/Professional Enrollment: 10,894
Total Student Enrollment: 30,011
Founded: 1789, as the first state university in the United States
Type of Institution: Public, four-year
Undergraduate Admission: 15,961
Graduate/Professional Enrollment: 10,039
Total Student Enrollment: 26,000
Faculty: 3,000
Percentage of faculty who hold Ph.D.s or the highest degrees in their field: 94 percent
Faculty/student ratio: 1/14
Location: UNC is located in the heart of Chapel Hill, the best college town in America! It's a friendly town of about 40,000 in the geographical center of North Carolina. Chapel Hill is at the western point of the Research Triangle, an area of about one million people, comprised of Chapel Hill, the cities of Durham and Raleigh, and the Research Triangle Park, home of many corporate offices and scientific research centers. Carolina is about 30 miles from the state capital, Raleigh, and 20 minutes from Raleigh-Durham International Airport.
Chapel Hill's main street, Franklin Street, borders the campus and offers shops, coffee houses, cafés, movie theaters and houses of worship. The town has a historic district, museum, library, parks, malls, and many recreational facilities.
Origins of Carolina's students: 82 percent of UNC's freshmen are from North Carolina and 18 percent are from out-of-state. Our students come from 42 different states and our international students represent 37 countries.
Size of freshman class: Approximately 3,400
Class size: Barely five percent of undergraduate classes contain more than 100 students; two-thirds of undergraduate classes have fewer than 30 students. Forty-one percent have fewer than 20 students, including First Year Seminars, in which first-year students work closely with professors.
Sports and athletic programs: UNC is an NCAA Division I school with 28 varsity teams. Carolina is the proud home of the Dean Smith Center, Kenan Stadium, Carmichael Auditorium, Koury Natatorium, and many other fine athletic facilities. Students join more than 60 intramural and club sports, which include baseball, bowling, crew, golf, lacrosse, rock climbing, rugby, tae kwon do, and ultimate frisbee. The Student Recreation Center offers weight training, aerobics, stair machines, and all the equipment you would expect to find at a great health club! Carolina offers a newly renovated outdoor pool and indoor pools, a golf course, tennis courts, and the longest zipline in America!
Number of residence halls: Incoming undergraduates will live in one of Carolina's 29 residence halls, which are wired for Internet access and cable television. housing.unc.edu
Scholarships and financial aid: About 40 percent of UNC-Chapel Hill students receive scholarships and/or some form of financial aid. studentaid.unc.edu
Special research institutes: Institute for Research in Social Science, Institute of Outdoor Drama, Morehead Planetarium, Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise, Institute of Government, Institute of African American Research.
Career services: On-campus counseling, job fairs, résumé writing service, internships, placement services. www.unc.edu/depts/career
Technological facilities: Students find multiple uses for Carolina's state-of-the-art technological resources. They can access Carolina's computer services through Academic Technology and Networks, which manages academic computing, e-mail, microcomputing labs, interactive media presentation, video and classroom support, and a help desk. The MetaLab oversees the development of SunSITE, one of the world's busiest digital library and electronic publishing projects.
Students may open e-mail accounts, and many use campus computer resources to construct personal Web pages. Students in residence halls have hardwired network connections to the Internet and cable television in their rooms. At the ATN Training center, students may take classes on software packages and utilities. Computer labs are available for student use all over campus.
Carolina Computing Initiative: Beginning with the freshman class of 2000, undergraduates must purchase laptop computers. The University has arranged for IBM to offer computers at excellent prices. Students, faculty, and staff will enjoy cost savings, higher quality compatible equipment, and better technical support through CCI. www.unc.edu/cci
The Study Abroad program allows students to live and learn in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific Rim, Africa, and the Americas. www.unc.edu/depts/abroad
The Honors Program offers special seminars, research programs, and the chance to design your own independent studies. www.unc.edu/depts/honors
Carolina students spend time in public service through student organizations, the Campus Y, the Carolina Center for Public Service, and courses that incorporate community service.
UNC's chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, a national collegiate honor society, is the oldest in North Carolina, dating from 1904. There are many other honorary societies at Carolina.
UNC offers ROTC programs in all branches of national military service.
Through the First Year Seminars program, first year students will understand what it means to study at a premier research university. They will learn from faculty members and share in their research in seminars of no more than 20 students.
Life outside the classroom: More than 370 clubs, teams, and student organizations offer something for everyone! You can choose from among musical and dramatic performing groups, publications, ethnic and religious clubs, the Campus Y and other service organizations, fraternities and sororities, and pre- professional organizations. Whatever your interests, you will find others at Carolina who share them! www.unc.edu/depts/union/student/listintr.htm
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