The School of Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISE) within the Gallogly College of Engineering (GCoE) at the University of Oklahoma invites applications for the inaugural Charles R. Jones Chair in Data Science and Analytics. Along with another new inaugural position – the Madeline Pfau Endowed Chair in Systems Engineering Leadership – the Jones Chair will elevate and expand research opportunities, develop innovative programs, and serve as a collaborative mentor and leader within the School.

The first Charles R. Jones Chair in Data Science and Analytics will join a School that has been experiencing a period of impressive growth: graduate enrollment is up, faculty lines have doubled, research activity has increased significantly, as has ISE’s laboratory space. These two Chairs will bring their own robust research programs and programmatic innovations to the School to build upon this momentum. 

ABOUT UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA

The University of Oklahoma is a Carnegie-R1 comprehensive public research university known for excellence in teaching, research, and community engagement, serving the educational, cultural, economic and health-care needs of the state, region, and nation from three campuses: the main campus in Norman, the Health Sciences Center in Oklahoma City, and the Schusterman Center in Tulsa. OU enrolls over 30,000 students and has more than 2,700 full-time faculty members.

More students than ever are choosing OU, with the last four years seeing record-breaking freshman classes. With nearly 5,600 students, the Class of 2028’s size represents a 20% increase over the last two years. The class is breaking other university records, with the highest number of first-generation college students and the most Oklahoma residents of any other incoming class.

OU’s research momentum continues to accelerate, reaching a record $411 million in externally funded research awarded. The OU research enterprise has achieved an average 12% annual growth rate for awards over the last four years, and OU ranks among the top 8% of research universities nationally.  

The mission of the University of Oklahoma is to provide the best possible educational experience for our students through excellence in teaching, research and creative activity, and service to the state and society.

Visit soonerway.ou.edu for more information.

ROLE OF THE CHARLES R. JONES CHAIR IN DATA SCIENCE AND ANALYTICS

The inaugural Charles R. Jones Chair in the field of Data Science and Analytics (DSA) will join the School during a moment of exponential growth and will focus on research in the application and theory of modeling and simulation in analytics, data science, and/or artificial intelligence. The endowed chair will continue to elevate the School’s research profile, create innovative programs, and enhance the visibility of ISE nationally and internationally. Serving as an inspiring academic thought partner and leader, the Chair will play a crucial role in mentoring junior faculty as well as graduate and undergraduate students, taking the School’s research to new heights and inspiring even more innovative program development.

The Charles R. Jones Chair in Data Science and Analytics will bring a well-established research program in data science and analytics as well as a collegial leadership style to build upon the School’s current strengths and priorities, which include the research focus areas of health and medical Systems and/or aerospace and defense manufacturing systems, as well as the interdisciplinary Data Science and Analytics Institute, a strategic initiative of the Gallogly College of Engineering (GCoE) at OU.

A visible and well-established academic in the field, the inaugural Jones Chair is expected to bring significant recognition to the School of ISE, the Gallogly College of Engineering (GCoE), and OU, through their scholarship, archival publications, successful research grants from federal and industry sources, and strong student and junior faculty mentorship. The Chair will demonstrate excellence in teaching at all levels and be passionate about developing classes in emerging areas. Their research, teaching, and service will have prepared the Chair to integrate and bolster OU’s commitment to excellence and given them the confidence to fully integrate students, faculty, staff, and others in their work.

The ideal candidate will hold a Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related discipline and will have the academic record to be appointed at the rank of full professor. The new Chair must support the student body through excellence in teaching undergraduate and graduate curricula and mentoring M.S. and Ph.D. students in the School of ISE.

Successful candidates for the Jones Chair are expected to develop a strong externally funded collaborative research program in the area of Data Sciences and Analytics.

In addition to the above requirements, candidates should also demonstrate:

·       Familiarity with the opportunities and challenges of a modern academic and R1 institution, and demonstrated experience in embracing emerging trends in an evolving environment;

·       Accomplished record of research and scholarship;

·       Commitment to supporting the mentorship of students and junior faculty as they pursue academic careers as well as promotion and tenure;

·       Commitment to the University’s mission and values; and,

·       The ability to contribute to fostering an inclusive culture in all aspects of faculty responsibility, including within the classroom, the academic community, and within their professional commitments.

Candidates will embody the following:

·       Integrity;

·       A growth mindset;

·       Excellence in teaching, scholarship, and service to the university, community, and society;

·       Dedication to cultivating and enhancing collaborative relationships with faculty, students, and    staff and valuing others’ contributions; and,

·       Well-developed communication and listening skills.

Applications should be submitted online via Interfolio/ByCommittee at http://apply.interfolio.com/161159. The application package should include: (i) single page cover letter describing how you meet the qualifications for this position; (ii) curriculum vitae; (iii)  a statement describing your professional experience and work in building collaborative and welcoming teaching and research environments; and (iv) list of five references. Application packages should be submitted using Interfolio (http://apply.interfolio.com/161159).  Inquiries about the position can be addressed to Professor Shivakumar Raman, chair of the search committee at [email protected]. We encourage applicants to apply by February 15, 2024 though application packages will be accepted until the position is filled.