Position Function:
The Data Science Academic Institute at Mississippi State University seeks a full-time, 9-month, tenure track Assistant Professor in Computing for Data Science and Applied AI beginning August 16, 2026.
Salary Grade: UC
For salary grade UC, these positions are "Unclassified" and salary ranges are determined by the hiring department.
Department Profile:
Data science explores and advances methods, systems, and processes to represent the world as data objects; extract insights about the world from these data objects and turn these insights into discoveries, decisions, and actions; and create AI systems to perform tasks that have historically required human cognition and human decision-making abilities. MSU’s approach to Data Science goes beyond data analytics and embraces a vision in which data become the power behind the digital transformation of every field of human endeavor.
The Data Science program is organized within the College of Integrative Studies (https://www.datascience.msstate.edu/) and its academic programs are overseen by an intercollege data science committee. Data Science at Mississippi State offers a B.S. in Data Science (with 11 concentration areas), an undergraduate minor, a Graduate Certificate in Data Science Pedagogy, and a Master of Applied Data Science. Eleven bachelor’s concentrations have been created by MSU’s colleges that offer students the ability to apply Data Science knowledge and skills within specific fields. Current concentrations include:
• Biomedical Informatics
• Business Information Systems
• Computational Agriculture and Natural Resources
• Computational Intelligence
• Geoinformatics
• Marketing and Supply Chain Analytics
• Psychoinformatics
• Social Data Analytics
• Sports Science
• Statistical Modeling
• Visualization and Visual Analytics for the Built Environment
A concentration in Quantum Computing is currently under development.
Mississippi State University is a comprehensive Carnegie R1 “Very High Research Activity” campus and a top 100 university by research expenditure. The campus is situated in a small, cultured community boasting an exceptional standard of living (https://starkville.org). Within a short drive of Starkville are more than 120,000 acres of state and federal natural areas, with abundant opportunities for research and recreation. This includes the Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge (https://www.fws.gov/refuge/sam-d-hamilton-noxubee), and the Tombigbee National Forest. We are Mississippi’s land-grant institution and principal research university with an enrollment of over 23,000 students.
Area of Specialization:
High-Performance Computing, Cloud Computing, and Quantum Computing for Data Science and Applied AI
Anticipated Appointment Date:
August 16, 2026
Tenure Track Status:
Tenure-Track
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
The new faculty member will teach in-person and online undergraduate and graduate courses, including courses in the specialty area of computing for data science and applied AI. Courses will include a hands-on lab course in Cloud, Quantum and High-Performance Computing. Teaching assignments often include the support of graduate teaching assistants. The successful applicants will maintain a program of scholarly research, apply for external funding, teach undergraduates and graduate courses, and supervise graduate students.
There will be opportunities for additional teaching or research employment in the summer related to data science and high-performance computing.
Minimum Qualifications:
Ph.D. in a relevant discipline; instructional experience at the university or community college level; excellent communication and organizational skills; experience with data wrangling, statistical analysis, and implementing machine learning and deep learning models in Python; experience with GPU, cloud, and high-performance computing; and familiarity with common instructional technologies.
Preferred Qualifications:
Ph.D. in Statistics, Data Science, a computationally intensive natural science, Computer Engineering, or Computer Science. Multiple years of instructional experience at the university level. Preference will be given to candidates who demonstrate evidence of teaching excellence, experience in curriculum development, and a track record of innovative research and scholarship that leverages cloud and high-performance computing. The position would also benefit from experience with and interest in quantum computing.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills. Strong organizational skills. Demonstrated ability to use Python for data wrangling and training machine learning and deep learning models. Experience with the management of the data lifecycle including implementation of data pipelines that include acquisition, storage, augmentation, and processing of data. Ability to create instructional materials and tutorials.
Working Conditions and Physical Effort
Work takes place in a traditional office environment.
Instructions for Applying:
Interested applicants must apply online at https://explore.msujobs.msstate.edu and attach a cover letter; curriculum vitae (including link to code repository if possible); statements on research and teaching; up to three pre/reprints; and contact information for at least three professional references. Review of applications will begin October 15, 2025, but applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Questions about the position can be directed to the search committee chair, Dr. Jonathan Barlow barlow@datascience.msstate.edu.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:
Mississippi State University is an equal opportunity institution. Discrimination is prohibited in university employment, programs or activities based on race, color, ethnicity, sex, pregnancy, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, or any other status to the extent protected by applicable law. Questions about equal opportunity programs or compliance should be directed to the Office of Civil Rights Compliance, 231 Famous Maroon Band Street, P.O. 6044, Mississippi State, MS 39762, (662) 325-5839.
What do I do if I need an accommodation?
In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act (ADA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position with Mississippi State University, please contact the Department of Human Resources Management at tel: (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu.
If you have any questions regarding this policy, contact the Department of Human Resources Management at (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu. Upon request, sections of this job listing are available in large print, and readers are available to assist the visually impaired.
