Open Rank - Assistant or Associate Professor
- Employer
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Location
- Chapel Hill, NC
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- Employment Type
- Full Time
- Institution Type
- Four-Year Institution
Job Details
Info and Library Science - 371110
Posting Open Date:10/09/2026
Application Deadline:11/16/2026
Open Until Filled:No
Position Type:Permanent Faculty
Working Title:Open Rank - Assistant or Associate Professor
Appointment Type:Open Rank
Vacancy ID:FAC0006159
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:The School of Data and Information Sciences (SDIS) was founded in 2026 by joining the School of Information and Library Science (1931) and the School of Data Science and Society (2022). SDIS brings together longstanding excellence in information and library science with leadership in data science, including computational and statistical methods and societal applications.
Home to a top ranked library and information science program, SDIS is recognized for strong teaching, research and service and is the home to the Carolina Health Informatics Program (CHIP) and the Center for Information, Technology and Public Life (CITAP). The school teaches and trains undergraduate and graduate students in information science and library science, data science, and health informatics, as well as offering certificates for adult learners.
SDIS conducts research and scholarship across the data and information life cycle, with an emphasis on human-centric, ethical and applied approaches. Committed to data, information and AI literacy for all Tar Heels, SDIS faculty are tackling our communities’ most pressing needs and our world’s most intractable challenges.
Position Summary:The Division of Information and Library Science (DILS) in UNC-Chapel Hill’s School of Data and Information Sciences (SDIS) invites applications for an open rank 9 month tenure-track Assistant or Associate Professor position focused on the application of automated methods in cultural heritage and memory institutions broadly understood: libraries, archives, or museums, but also centers for data curation, research data management, or digital humanities. We seek a scholar-practitioner who can combine the craft work of design with the reflexive work of critique.
The successful candidate’s research will advance the understanding and use of automated methods while being deeply grounded in an understanding of cultural heritage and memory institutions and their values.
Key Responsibilities:
*Develop and maintain an active research agenda focused on the critical technical application of automated methods in cultural heritage and memory institutions, including but not limited to topics such as: designing benchmarks that reflect the missions and values of these institutions, investigating the use of open and ethically trained generative models, modeling data for both human and automated use, or grounding agentic workflows in trusted metadata infrastructures.
*Teach courses on topics related to the ethical design and implementation of automated systems, contributing to the core curricular requirements of both undergraduate and graduate degree programs at DILS. These would include technical courses as well as courses that critically examine the relations between automated methods and cultural heritage and memory institutions.
*Mentor and advise graduate and undergraduate students, guiding them in applied research and interdisciplinary projects.
*Publish scholarly publications in high-quality, peer-reviewed venues and/or produce tools that prove their worth through wide adoption.
*Seek external funding to support innovative research.
*Engage in service activities within the division, the school, the university, and the broader academic community.
*A PhD (or equivalent degree) in information and library science, data science, computer science, or a closely related discipline.
*A promising record of research productivity in the application of automated and algorithmic methods in cultural heritage and memory institutions, as demonstrated by publications, presentations, or adopted tools.
*A commitment to excellence in teaching and mentoring, with experience or demonstrated potential to teach both undergraduate and graduate courses, including contributions to the core curriculum.
*Experience with interdisciplinary research and collaboration, particularly with librarians, archivists, curators, or critical scholars of the sociotechnical implications of automated systems.
*Expertise in one or more specific areas of automated system design and evaluation.
*A passion for libraries, archives, museums, and other cultural heritage and memory institutions, and a vision for centering these institutions in the public discourse about automated systems.
*A strong interest in contributing to the division’s mission to train the next generation of leaders for cultural heritage and memory institutions.
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/326743 to apply. Application materials must be submitted online and include a curriculum vitae/resume, cover letter, list of references, Teaching Philosophy/evaluations, and research statement.
For full consideration, applications should be received by Monday, November 16, 2026. Anticipated starting date is July 1, 2027.
Please provide the names of four (4) references from senior scholars.
Additional Information:For additional information about this position, please contact the chair of the search committee, Dr. Ryan Shaw at ryanshaw@unc.edu. Additional information about the School of Data and Information Sciences (SDIS) can be obtained at our website at https://sdis.unc.edu/.
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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