The Interdisciplinary Institute of Data Science (http://www.idids.usi.ch) recently founded at the Università della Svizzera italiana, USI, Lugano, invites applications from social scientists within the broadly defined interdisciplinary fields of data science and computational social science.The elected candidates will have the unique opportunity to shape the research agenda of the Interdisciplinary Institute of Data Science with affiliated faculty coming from all areas of science represented at USI. Requirements: Candidates should demonstrate a solid disciplinary background. However, candidates’ research plans should extend beyond their home discipline to engage with other disciplines in the broadly defined field of data science.
Candidates with PhD in physics, computer science, computational linguistics, statistics, quantitative social sciences, quantitative biology and related disciplines are particularly encouraged to apply. Successful candidates for the position of assistant professor are expected to provide convincing evidence of their ambition, willingness and capacity to publish in high-impact interdisciplinary academic journals such as, for example, Science, Nature and the PNAS.
Successful candidates for the position of associate professor are expected to have a publication track record of international stature and presence in the journals just mentioned. Associate professors are also expected to provide clear evidence of scientific independence, intellectual leadership, and ability to attract and manage research funds from public bodies and private organizations. Both junior as well as senior candidates will have to provide solid evidence of their ability to work productively with colleagues in different disciplines and will be expected to contribute actively and personally to the growth of the new Institute and the development of the University more generally.
Teaching loads at the Università della Svizzera italiana are 18 ECTS for associate professors (roughly corresponding to three courses). The teaching load is reduced by roughly 50% for assistant professors. Facilities: USI offers state-of-the-art computer resources, thanks to the collaboration with the CSCS (Swiss National Computing Center managed by the ETHZ, located in Lugano: http://www.cscs.ch/index.html), currently ranked 6th among the 500 computer facilities in the world. The CSCS operates the very latest supercomputers and works with the world’s leading research institutions, computing centers, and hardware manufacturers. This enables the center to be a leading force in innovation in computational research at the national and international level. Application: Applications, consisting of a letter of application together with a statement of current and future research plans, a curriculum vitae, a publications list, and the name of three (junior positions) or five (senior positions) independent referees should be sent to IDIDS@usi.ch. Applications received before September 1 2015 will receive full consideration.
All applications will be acknowledged. The successful candidates will take up appointment as early as January 2016 or as soon as possible thereafter. Additional Information: USI is committed to active recruitment of a diverse faculty and student body. Because broad diversity is essential to an inclusive climate and critical to the University’s goals of achieving excellence in all areas, we will assess the many qualifications of each applicant and favorably consider an individual’s record of working with students and colleagues with broadly diverse perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds in educational, research or other work activities. We will also favorably consider experience overcoming or helping others overcome barriers to an academic degree and career.
Other conditions being equal, a working knowledge – or commitment to learn at least one of the four Swiss national languages will be considered an advantage. The successful candidate will take residence in Canton Ticino, the Italian-speaking part of Switzerland. Further information on the University is available at the following address: http://www.usi.ch