Assistant 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
Statistics and Operations Res - 319200
Posting Open Date:09/28/2026
Application Deadline:12/15/2026
Open Until Filled:No
Position Type:Permanent Faculty
Working Title:Assistant Professor
Appointment Type:Tenured/Tenure Track
Vacancy ID:FAC0006123
Full-time/Part-time:Full-Time Permanent
Hours per week:40
FTE:1
Position Location:North Carolina, US
Hiring Range:Dependent on Experience or Dependent on Qualifications.
Proposed Start Date:07/01/2027
Be a Tar Heel!:The Department of Statistics and Operations Research (STOR) in the College of Arts and Sciences, and the Department of Biostatistics in the School of Public Health at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill have an opening for a tenure-track position at the assistant professor level starting July 1, 2027. The departments are seeking candidates with a doctorate (or foreign equivalent) in statistics, biostatistics, operations research, artificial intelligence or a related field. This early career hire will focus on foundational statistical and optimization methods for safe and reliable AI, with applications in biomedicine and public health. Areas of interest include, but are not limited to, robust and stochastic optimization, generative and foundation models, reliable and robust machine learning, uncertainty quantification, sequential decision-making, and AI systems operating under uncertainty in high stakes environments. The secondary appointment in Biostatistics will facilitate close collaboration with applied researchers and provide pathways for translating methods into practice. Candidates are expected to highlight the connection between their research and their application focus in their cover letters. Duties of this position include teaching, research, and service. The hired candidate will be expected to teach courses at both undergraduate and graduate levels at the intersection of their expertise and the needs of the department. Screening of applications will begin November 9, 2026, on a rolling basis. Applicants are encouraged to apply by that date to be included in the initial review cycle; applications submitted afterward will continue to receive full consideration while the position remains open. The application package should include a cover letter, an up-to-date curriculum vitae, research and teaching statements, representative papers, and a list of relevant graduate courses taken. Applicants should also arrange for four letters of recommendation. At least one of the letters should include an evaluation of the applicant’s teaching ability. Application materials and letters of recommendation must be submitted in electronic form only; click on https://unc.peopleadmin.com/postings/ to apply for this position. This position is part of a cluster hire on Safeguarding Artificial Intelligence in Health: Foundations, Uncertainty, and High Stakes Decision Making, at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill that involves three jointly appointed positions with the Department of Biostatistics and the Department of Computer Science. This is structured to strengthen collaboration across these departments. The ideal candidate will have research and/or teaching interests that make substantive connections with related fields and would be excited to engage in cross-disciplinary conversations and collaborations. For inquiries, please contact STOR-Cluster@unc.edu . Further information about STOR is at http://stor.unc.edu, and about BIOS at https://sph.unc.edu/bios/biostatistics/.
Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit:The primary mission of the Department of Statistics & Operations Research (STOR) in the College of Arts & Sciences is teaching, research, and service in statistics, operations research, probability, optimization, stochastic modeling, data science, analytics, and decision-making under uncertainty. The department is nationally recognized for graduate education and research; the College’s current rankings page lists Statistics at UNC-Chapel Hill as 11th nationally in U.S. News & World Report rankings, and the department’s research sits at the core of data science, machine learning/AI, analytics, network science, and related fields. The department administers graduate programs leading to the Ph.D. in Statistics and Operations Research and the M.S. in Statistics, Analytics and Data Science (STANDS), as well as undergraduate programs including the B.S. in Statistics and Analytics, the B.A. in Data Science, the undergraduate minor in Statistics and Analytics, and the Data Science minor. The Ph.D. program provides advanced training in statistics, optimization, probability, and stochastic modeling and typically requires four to five years of full-time graduate work; the M.S. program requires 30 credit hours of graduate coursework and a master’s essay and is normally completed in three to four semesters; the B.S. program requires four years of undergraduate study. In the most recent reporting year, the department awarded 223 B.S. degrees in Statistics and Analytics, 66 B.A. degrees in Data Science, 21 M.S. degrees, and 9 Ph.D. degrees. STOR also offers many high-demand courses serving students across the University in statistics, data science, optimization, analytics, probability, actuarial science, and quantitative reasoning. Historically, the department helped build the Research Triangle’s strength in the statistical and mathematical sciences through its support of the Center for Stochastic Processes, NISS, and SAMSI; today it continues this campus and regional role through interdisciplinary research, the UNC Statistical/Data Science Consulting Center, Data OPS, DataFest, industry/capstone activities, and participation in University initiatives in data science, AI, health systems engineering, and systems engineering. For more information about the department, please visit our website at https://stor.unc.edu/.
Position Summary:This early career hire will focus on foundational statistical and optimization methods for safe and reliable AI, with applications in biomedicine and public health. Areas of interest include, but are not limited to, robust and stochastic optimization, generative and foundation models, reliable and robust machine learning, uncertainty quantification, sequential decision-making, and AI systems operating under uncertainty in high stakes environments. The secondary appointment in Biostatistics will facilitate close collaboration with applied researchers and provide pathways for translating methods into practice.
Primary responsibilities of the position will include high-quality research, publishing in peer-reviewed journals and broader dissemination, seeking external funding for research, teaching undergraduate and graduate courses, contributing to research mentoring of doctoral students, and engaging in departmental, university, and professional service activities.
The departments are seeking candidates with a doctorate (or foreign equivalent) in statistics, biostatistics, operations research, artificial intelligence or a related field.
Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience:This position is part of a cluster hire on Safeguarding Artificial Intelligence in Health: Foundations, Uncertainty, and High Stakes Decision Making, at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill that involves three jointly appointed positions with the Department of Biostatistics and the Department of Computer Science. This is structured to strengthen collaboration across these departments. The ideal candidate will have research and/or teaching interests that make substantive connections with related fields and would be excited to engage in cross-disciplinary conversations and collaborations.
Campus Security Authority Responsibilities:Not Applicable.
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
Get job alerts
Create a job alert and receive personalized job recommendations straight to your inbox.
Create alert