Description

The Department of Operational Sciences at the Air Force Institute of Technology invites applications for a civilian faculty position at the rank of Assistant or Associate Professor of Data Science.  Candidates should possess an earned doctorate degree in statistics, applied statistics, computational statistics, data science, operations research, industrial engineering, or a related discipline at the time of employment and experience appropriate for the position.  The specific area of expertise of interest is applied and computational statistics, with work complementing the department’s focus on data science and operations research.  Rank and salary are commensurate with qualifications.  This is a tenure-track position.  United States citizenship is required for the position.  

The Department offers the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in both Data Science and Operations Research.  Successful applicants must have a strong commitment to teaching, research, publishing in high-quality journals, working within a research team, and a strong methodological foundation. Interdisciplinary research and multidisciplinary collaborations are encouraged.    

Due to hiring requirements for United States government positions, applications can only be accepted between January 13, 2026 and February 13, 2026.  The online link for the advertisement is https://www.usajobs.gov/job/854185600.  First consideration of applications is February 27, 2026.  Expected start date is August 2026, but is negotiable.

The Air Force Institute of Technology is a Doctoral/Research university and is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.  Women and minorities are strongly encouraged to apply.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• U.S. Citizenship is required
• The selected candidate will be subject to a security investigation leading to successful completion of a background investigation with a favorable adjudication. The selectee's failure to meet this requirement will be grounds for termination.  This is a Top-Secret position.
• Essential qualities expected of every Assistant Professor include the personal attributes of integrity, industry, cooperation, initiative, and breadth of intellectual interests.
• Must be registered for Selective Service, see Legal and Regulatory Guidance
• Disclosure of Political Appointments
• Travel by military or commercial transportation to gather ideas for improving the curriculum, establish research contacts and agreements, conduct research, and present results of research may be required.
• Initial appointment is under Schedule A appointing authority, Excepted Appointment Not-to-Exceed 3 years.
• At the time of the expiration of the initial appointment an employee who adequately demonstrates professional competence can be extended in increments of 1, 2 or 3 years or for an indefinite period.
• Appointment may be extended to the maximum period allowed by law without further competition.  
• An initial appointment can be allowed to expire for an employee who does not adequately demonstrate professional competence.
• The appointment cannot be converted to a permanent tenure in the competitive service.
• This civilian faculty duty period is normally 12 months, however a shorter duty period with a corresponding pro-rated salary (10/12 of an annual salary for a 10-month duty period) may be required.
• Current Federal employees on a permanent or indefinite appointment will be required to have a minimum of 3-day break in service if selected.

 Qualifications

Required qualifications

•  An earned doctoral degree in statistics, applied statistics, computational statistics, data science, operations research, industrial engineering, or a related discipline is required before employment begins (projected for Fall 2026).
•  Commensurate with their intended academic rank, the applicant’s record of scholarship must show the ability or potential to (1) conduct and disseminate scholarly research, (2) effectively teach graduate level courses in the fields of data science and operations research, and (3) meet professional and institutional service obligations.
• Knowledge and expertise of current defense technologies, and where appropriate, defense programs at the national level including political processes, military budgeting priorities, and developing alliances between departments and agencies.
•  Possess the ability to communicate clearly and expertly in both verbal and written forms concerning academic, administrative, and technical subject matters.

 Desired Qualifications

•  The applicant should be able to provide excellent instruction. Evaluation will be based on the quality, quantity, and relevance of recent instruction provided by the candidate with respect to relevant applied statistics, data science, or operations research courses. Experience in the specialty area of interest (i.e., applied and computational statistics such as multivariate regression, experimental design, response surface methodology, and natural language processing) is of increased value. For soon-to-graduated applicants, newly graduated applicants, or applicants without experience as a faculty member in academia, relevant coursework, industrial, and research experiences may serve as a (less-valued) proxy for actual teaching experiences.
• The applicant should be able to establish and maintain a high-quality research program. Evaluation will be based on the quality, quantity, and consistency of the candidate’s recent past research record (e.g., within the last 5 years), the candidate’s future research potential (e.g., plans for the next 5 years), theses and dissertations advised, industrial experience, awards, consultations, and grant monies received.  
• The applicant should be able to actively support the academic environment at a level consistent with their intended academic rank.  Evaluation will be based on the intensity and frequency of leadership and membership activities in professional, institutional, faculty, and student organizations.

 At the Assistant Professor Rank:  A relevant earned doctoral degree from an accredited academic institution or equivalent experience and professional recognition; demonstrated or presumptive potential for effective teaching, research, consultation, and other scholarly and professional activities.

 At the Associate Professor Rank:  A relevant earned doctoral degree from an accredited academic institution or an appropriate terminal professional or academic degree; evidence of sustained teaching effectiveness; research, scholarly, create, and professional activities including publication in appropriately recognized professional journals (normally refereed archival), books, or monographs; discipline-related community service; and normally, no less than 5 years of significant professional experience, normally including a minimum of 3 years of full-time university-level teaching at the rank of Assistant Professor.  Academic rank alone does not suffice for promotion to Associate Professor.

 Applicants will be assessed based on education, evidence of teaching effectiveness, quality of scholarship, and demonstrated service to educational institutions and the discipline commensurate with years in the discipline.

Essential qualities expected of every faculty member include the personal attributes of integrity, industry, cooperation, initiative, enthusiasm, and breadth of intellectual interests.