Lecturer - Data Analytics & Computational Social Science (DACSS)

About UMass Amherst

The flagship of the Commonwealth, the University of Massachusetts Amherst is a nationally ranked public land-grant research university that seeks to expand educational access, fuel innovation and creativity, and share and use its knowledge for the common good. Founded in 1863, UMass Amherst sits on nearly 1,450-acres in scenic Western Massachusetts and boasts state-of-the-art facilities for teaching, research, scholarship, and creative activity. The institution advances a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community where everyone feels connected and valued-and thrives, and offers a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees across 10 schools and colleges, and 100 undergraduate majors. We believe every member of our university community can contribute to our ongoing success by striving for the highest level of excellence as we seek breakthrough solutions to mounting environmental, social, economic, and technological challenges in our world.

Job Description

The Data Analytics and Computational Social Science (DACSS) Program at the University of Massachusetts Amherst is accepting applications for a full-time (9-month academic year) non-tenure track Lecturer position in Data Analytics and Computational Social Science. This is a two-year position, with the expectation of reappointment contingent upon funding and the candidate's performance. The preferred start date is September 1, 2026.

The successful candidate will be expected to offer three unique in-person or online courses each year (6 total sections), including at least one of the four DACSS core courses covering topics in data science, quantitative analysis, research design, and data communication; and at least one technical elective covering topics such as text data, networks, machine learning, surveys, experiments, simulations, Bayesian inference, and advanced quantitative analysis. We are especially interested in courses on the applied use of generative AI, including courses on developing and using agentic systems and on using generative AI for analysis. All courses will be taught with guidance from a UMass faculty mentor.

In addition to teaching, lecturers are also responsible for some service to the program, which might include academic mentoring, supervising student research projects, refinement of curriculum, and serving on program subcommittees.

Requirement

• PhD (or ABD) in anthropology, communication, economics, political science, psychology, sociology, computer science, computational social science, data science, statistics, or a related discipline, and facility using R and/or Python for applied data science.
• Demonstrated teaching and/or research interests in computational social science. Applicants with a background in digital humanities will also be considered.

Application Instructions

To apply, please click the "Apply now" button on the top right of the job ad link.

Please be sure to submit:

• A letter of interest that addresses the candidate's research and teaching background in computational social science.
• Curriculum vitae (CV).
• An article-length writing sample.
• Evidence of quality teaching (teaching statement and/or summaries of teaching evaluations if available).
• Names and contact information for three references who may be contacted at an advanced stage of the selection process.

Please contact Prof. Doug Rice (drrice@umass.edu) with any questions about the application process.

Review of applicants will begin on Oct. 6, 2025, and will continue until a suitable candidate pool has been identified.

The University of Massachusetts Amherst welcomes all qualified applicants and complies with all state and federal anti-discrimination laws.