Application

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Timeline:

• The application period for the Data and Democracy Postdoctoral Scholars program opens September 9th; reviews will begin on November 4th and continue until positions are filled
• Earliest start date: August 1, 2023

Eligibility:

If you have any questions about your eligibility, please feel free to send an email to data-science@uchicago.edu.

• Completion of all requirements for a Ph.D. required at the time of appointment.
• Applicants may only submit one application.
• We welcome applications from researchers who are using data science to advance the state of the art in their respective field (e.g., humanities, social sciences, natural and physical sciences).
• Postdoctoral scholars will be expected to be active participants in the Data Science Institute (DSI) at UChicago and the Center for Effective Government, and may be requested to take on leadership roles in one or more of the DSI/CEG initiatives.

Application Materials:

• Curriculum vitae;
• Summary of the candidate’s current research (250 words);
• Research statement that outlines research goals and significance, research plan, and motivation for seeking a postdoctoral appointment at UChicago (maximum of 3 pages, not including references);
• 1-2 representative publications or manuscripts;
• Names and contact information for at least two and up to five references (the application is complete only when two letters of reference have been submitted, so please contact referees early in the application process). Referees will be provided with a link to the submission portal;
• Names of potential UChicago faculty mentors;
• (Optional) Applicants may include a letter of collaboration from a UChicago faculty mentor who has agreed to mentor the applicant if the scholar is accepted into the program. Please use the following template for the letter:
  • “If Dr. [insert full name of applicant] is accepted as a Data Science Institute Postdoctoral Scholar at the University of Chicago, it is my intent to act as a mentor on a project of mutual interest.”

The Data Science Institute team will also be available to help identify potential faculty mentors if you move forward in the application process.

Evaluation Criteria:

Proposals will be reviewed by the DSI Data and Democracy Postdoctoral Committee using the following factors:

• Research Potential: Overall potential for research excellence, as demonstrated by the applicant’s research statement, goals and long-term career goals.
• Academic Progress: Academic progress to date, as evidenced by publications and endorsements from their faculty advisor or recommender.
• Data Science Background: Experience or coursework in computer science, statistics, data science, AI, or a related field.
• Impact: Approaches, methods, systems, measurement studies, or theory that advances foundational approaches in data science, develops solutions to real-world problems in industry or civil society, or both.
• Research Alignment: Relevance of research plan to DSI’s research initiatives and projects.

Contact:

For questions about this application, please contact data-science@uchicago.edu.