Assistant Professor of Data Science

Lewis & Clark College of Arts & Sciences

The College of Arts and Sciences at Lewis & Clark College is a private liberal arts college with 2,000 undergraduates, located in the southwest hills of Portland, Oregon. We seek candidates who value and demonstrate excellence in teaching, in conjunction with sustainability, community engagement, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Lewis & Clark College is committed to achieving a diverse workforce. Candidates from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to status as a protected veteran or a qualified individual with a disability, or other protected status, such as race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status or age.

Assistant Professor of Data Science

We invite applications for a tenure-track assistant professor position in our new, interdisciplinary Data Science major. A Ph.D. or terminal degree is required at the time of appointment in Fall 2027. We seek a quantitative scholar with expertise in applying data science to substantive questions in one or more areas aligned with Lewis & Clark’s strategic priorities, including education, the environment, entrepreneurship, health, and law and public policy. The successful candidate will be prepared to teach introductory and intermediate data science courses, an advanced statistical modeling and inference course, and data-intensive coursework in their area of expertise. Previous experience teaching these courses is desirable.

The Data Science program at Lewis & Clark combines rigorous training in statistics, computing, and data analysis with the broad perspective of a liberal arts education. Students learn to ask meaningful questions, work with real-world data, and communicate insights clearly while developing strong skills in programming, critical thinking, and ethical analysis. The program is intentionally interdisciplinary and centered on applied work, bringing together faculty from mathematics and natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities. The rapidly growing program currently serves more than 45 minors and a newly approved major guided by an interdisciplinary steering committee of faculty members. Distinctive activities include the Data Café, which offers nightly peer coding support in the library, an annual Data Science Hackathon, a faculty-led study abroad program in Berlin, and courses that partner with community organizations to apply data skills to real-world challenges.

We invite applicants to join a supportive, creative, and collaborative community of scholar-teachers as we prepare students for meaningful careers, civic engagement, and lifelong discovery. Together we seek a just and sustainable society, both locally and globally. We seek candidates who wish to become excellent teachers and scholars at a liberal arts college and whose varied experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds can contribute to a diverse and inclusive community of critical thinkers. Our faculty typically teach five courses per academic year, including participation in the College’s general education program, and advise and mentor students with varied backgrounds from across the US and around the globe. The college provides a paid pre-tenure junior sabbatical, mentoring, and professional development support.

A complete application must include a cover letter which describes your interest in joining Lewis & Clark College, your research interests, your teaching philosophy, and a statement describing how your teaching and professional activities will contribute to an inclusive classroom and campus community. We also require a curriculum vitae, evidence of teaching effectiveness, a sample of scholarship (which may be work in progress), graduate transcripts, and three letters of recommendation (uploaded separately by your recommenders). Materials may be addressed to Professor Ellen Seljan.

Review of applications will begin on October 30, 2026 and continue until the position is filled.

Lewis & Clark College adheres to a nondiscriminatory policy with respect to educational programs, activities, employment, and admission. We do not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, sex, religion, age, marital status, national origin, the presence of any physical or sensory disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other basis prohibited by applicable federal, state, and local laws. The Associate Vice President of Human Resources has been designated to handle inquiries regarding employment- and disability-related non-discrimination policies. Title IX inquiries may be directed to the Title IX coordinator or deputy Title IX coordinators ().

Reasonable Accommodation

Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job or to perform your job. Examples of reasonable accommodation include making a change to the application process or work procedures, providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment.

Background Check

Lewis & Clark College will conduct a background check on the finalist, which will include a criminal record check. If a conviction is discovered, a determination will be made whether the conviction is related to the position for which the individual is applying or would present safety or security risks before an employment decision is made. A criminal conviction does not necessarily automatically bar an applicant from employment.

Eligibility to Work

In order to comply with US Homeland Security Department regulations, all employees must complete an I-9 form in Workday prior to or no later than the first day of work and bring originals (no photocopies) of their supporting documentation to Human Resources no later than the 3rd business day of employment. Failure to have a completed I-9 form on file with the College will result in immediate termination of employment.