Open Rank - Neuroengineering Cluster- Assistant/Associate/Full Professor

Appointment Type: Open Rank

Vacancy ID: FAC0006079

Full-time/Part-time: Full-Time Permanent

Hours per week: 40

FTE: 1

Position Location: North Carolina, US

Hiring Range: Commensurate with Education and Experience

Proposed Start Date: 07/01/2027

Be a Tar Heel!

A global higher education leader in innovative teaching, research and public service, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill consistently ranks as one of the nation’s top public universities. Known for its beautiful campus, world-class medical care, commitment to the arts and top athletic programs, Carolina is an ideal place to teach, work and learn. One of the best college towns and best places to live in the United States, Chapel Hill has diverse social, cultural, recreation and professional opportunities that span the campus and community. University employees can choose from a wide range of professional training opportunities for career growth, skill development and lifelong learning and enjoy exclusive perks for numerous retail, restaurant and performing arts discounts, savings on local child care centers and special rates on select campus events. UNC-Chapel Hill offers full-time employees a comprehensive benefits package, paid leave, and a variety of health, life and retirement plans and additional programs that support a healthy work/life balance.

Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit

In July 2026, UNC Chapel Hill launched the Division of Data Science and Society within the School of Data and Information Sciences (SDIS), a division devoted to data science teaching, research, scholarship, service, and creativity. DSS’s vision is to be a leader in shaping the field of data science through an interdisciplinary and rigorous grounding in theory and methods with a human centric approach to the entire data life cycle.

The mission of DSS is to empower a diverse community of faculty conducting research in the fundamentals and/or the applications of data science. The Division is training undergraduate, graduate, and professional students to be the next generation of data science leaders with the knowledge and skills to thrive in this data-driven world. The Division will serve the state, the nation, and the world through premier data science educational programs and innovative research directed to advancing the public good with human centric and ethical applications.

The core elements of SDIS include porous borders: leveraging our low walled collaborative Carolina culture to solve major societal problems. Interdisciplinary research clusters that cross Division and School boundaries are a vital element of our Scholarly community. The School of Data and Information Sciences is focused on students and education; the emphasis is not just on data science majors but on all students becoming data literate. The School’s culture has an open and transparent structure, governance, and business model.

Position Summary

The Division of Data Science and Society (DSS) at UNC-Chapel Hill’s School of Data and Information Sciences (SDIS) is excited to announce an open-rank tenure-track faculty position as part of the University’s neuroengineering cluster hire initiative. This cluster unites the Lampe Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, the Department of Computer Science, the Department of Neurosurgery, and DSS to build a collaborative, interdisciplinary hub in neuroengineering, focused on brain-computer interfaces (BCIs), brain function imaging and interpretation, closed-loop neuromodulation, and the translation of neuroengineering innovations into improved human health. Within this cluster, the DSS position will provide leadership in machine learning, statistical, and AI frameworks that transform complex large-scale, multi-modal neuroscience and behavioral data into clinically relevant insights, addressing core challenges of heterogeneity, dimensionality, harmonization, and data governance. This position complements cluster strengths in neuroengineering devices, real-time computing systems, and clinical translation, serving as a link between data acquisition, scientific discovery, and application.

The successful candidate will work with cluster faculty to develop and sustain an externally funded research program focused on understanding, predicting, and translating brain function into large-scale neural and behavioral data. Research areas of interest include machine learning and statistical inference for neural data, multimodal neural data integration and harmonization, computational modeling of cognition and behavior, neuroimaging analytics, adaptive neuromodulation, foundation models for neural and behavioral data, and related approaches that advance understanding of brain function and support neurotechnology development. A translational emphasis (such as clinical decision support or neurotechnology deployment) that can position this work to deliver direct, measurable benefits to human health is also desirable. Faculty in this cluster will be recruited with a strong commitment to team science, including joint appointments where appropriate, and coordinated research programs spanning devices, systems, computing, modeling, and translation. Through collaboration among faculty, students, external partners, and the clinical community, the Division of Data Science and Society in SDIS aims to translate research discoveries into tangible societal benefits. We invite you to join the DSS faculty and be part of this mission.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements

The applicants must have a Ph.D. and/or MD with expertise in artificial intelligence/machine learning, data science, computer science, statistics, computational neuroscience, biomedical engineering, or a related field that applies AI and data science techniques.

Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience

Preferred applicants will have a strong research record, evidence of interest in developing, teaching, and supervising courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels, and an aptitude in working collaboratively in interdisciplinary research. Research with a focus on machine learning and statistical inference for large-scale, multi-modal neural data is preferred. Expertise in areas such as computational modeling of cognition and behavior, brain-computer interfaces, closed-loop neuromodulation, neuroimaging, and explainable and interpretable AI is preferred. Additionally, candidates must be able to engage with researchers, clinicians, professionals, and stakeholders from diverse disciplines. A record of or the potential to secure external funding to support research projects is strongly preferred.

Campus Security Authority Responsibilities

This position is designated as a Campus Security Authority in accordance with the Clery Act. This position will be required to report Clery crimes to the Clery Compliance Manager and complete annual training about reporting responsibilities.

Special Instructions

Visit https://unc.peopleadmin.com/postings/325069 to apply. Application materials must be submitted online and include a curriculum vitae/resume, cover letter. The “other document” in the list of required documents to be submitted is a teaching statement and a research statement, combined in one document.

Please arrange for four reference letter writers to submit letters where indicated. They will receive an email with instructions for submitting letters of recommendation. Please ensure that at least one of the four letters address your teaching experience and qualifications.

Organization

The nation’s first public university is at the heart of what’s next, preparing a diverse student body to become creators, explorers, innovators and leaders in North Carolina and throughout the world. Carolina’s nationally recognized, innovative teaching, campus-wide spirit of inquiry and dedication to public service continue the legacy that began in 1795 when the University first opened its doors to students.

Here, in one of America's most beautiful college settings, we offer exceptional careers in richly diverse fields. Come explore what UNC-Chapel Hill has to offer you.

Undergraduate Enrollment: 19,117

Graduate/Professional Enrollment: 10,894

Total Student Enrollment: 30,011

Founded: 1789, as the first state university in the United States

Type of Institution: Public, four-year

Faculty: 3,000

Percentage of faculty who hold Ph.D.s or the highest degrees in their field: 94 percent

Faculty/student ratio: 1/14

Location: UNC is located in the heart of Chapel Hill, the best college town in America! It's a friendly town of about 40,000 in the geographical center of North Carolina. Chapel Hill is at the western point of the Research Triangle, an area of about one million people, comprised of Chapel Hill, the cities of Durham and Raleigh, and the Research Triangle Park, home of many corporate offices and scientific research centers. Carolina is about 30 miles from the state capital, Raleigh, and 20 minutes from Raleigh-Durham International Airport.