The Michigan Institute for Data Science (MIDAS) is seeking applications for its Michigan Data Science Fellows (DS Fellows) Program. This two-year program provides outstanding early-career researchers with intensive data science experience as they ready themselves for independent research and faculty positions. In addition, they will develop collaborative relationships with other Fellows in the program and within the University of Michigan (U-M) data science community.
As data increasingly permeates every field of research, strong skills in data science methodology and applications are a prerequisite for responsible research and Big Data’s positive societal impact. As the major component of U-M’s Data Science Initiative, MIDAS is dedicated to building a data science research community and external partnerships, advancing innovative and responsible data science, and establishing a data science education pipeline. The DS Fellows Program accepts young researchers who have a strong track record of research in their respective fields and who plan to acquire additional skills in data science, broadly construed, with a focus on either methodology or applications (including societal impact). While in the program, Fellows will be expected to work at the boundaries between data science methods and domain sciences in an intellectually vibrant environment, and build interdisciplinary relationship with other Fellows and over 200 MIDAS affiliate faculty. They are expected to be strong candidates for university faculty and other research positions when they leave the program.
DS Fellows will also be expected to contribute to the U-M data science community. They will be expected to interact with the U-M data science community through research presentations and other events. Based on their career plans, they may choose to interact with data science graduate and undergraduate students through mentoring. The Fellows will be allocated office space at MIDAS so that they can build their own network and enhance the interdisciplinary reach of MIDAS.
Fellows will be fully funded by MIDAS and receive a stipend commensurate with their qualifications and experience, starting at $70,000 per year plus benefits. They will also receive an allocation of $10,000 per year for research and conference travel expenses. Appointments will be for 24 months.
Eligibility Criteria: Applicants must be outstanding, intellectually curious researchers who will be ready to pursue independent research positions after two years in the program. They should have a doctorate in a related area before the expected start date of their fellowship. They should not yet have a faculty position/offer. Collaboration experience and strong communication skills will be viewed favorably. We recognize that strength comes through diversity and actively seek and welcome people with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and identities.
Individuals already at U-M are also eligible to apply. In their research statement they should indicate how their work on this fellowship will differ from their current work at U-M. Their current research mentor(s) may not serve as sponsor(s) on the fellowship application.
Faculty Sponsors. Each Fellow must identify on the application form two MIDAS affiliate faculty as sponsors. Preferably, one sponsor is from a methodological discipline and one is from an application discipline. One of the sponsors should be identified as the primary sponsor. Some applicants may not know faculty in multiple disciplines at U-M, in which case the primary sponsor can help locate a suitable second sponsor.
Application Information: The application should include:
- A CV.
- A Research Statement (between 2 and 4 pages, minimum font 10) that includes 1) the proposed data science research, including its importance and potential impact; 2) the applicant’s career plan and how this Fellowship will benefit the plan; and 3) qualifications that make the applicant particularly suitable for this program.
- Names of two faculty sponsors at U-M. The primary sponsor should provide a Letter of Support; the second sponsor should provide either a Letter of Support or a brief acknowledgment. See the “Faculty Sponsors” section above.
- Names and contact information for two or three additional references.
Applications received by April 30, 2019 will be given fullest consideration. Applications received after this date will be considered until all positions are filled.
Notifications will start on June 10.
Start date may be between June 15, 2019 and Jan 1, 2020.
The University of Michigan is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, height, weight, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.
For questions about this application, please contact midas-research@umich.edu
