Faculty Director, Translational Data Analytics Institute

The Ohio State University invites applications and nominations for the position of Faculty Director of the Translational Data Analytics Institute. Candidates should have an exceptional research record in data science or related fields; scientific leadership and vision; experience and capability to manage an academic unit or university-level center, including the ability to develop and execute a strategic vision; develop new projects and programs; mentor early career faculty and junior researchers, and administer the Institute; and an ability to connect to a wide range of constituents in academia, industry, foundations, and government. Candidates could come from a wide range of professional backgrounds that involve data science.

 

The Translational Data Analytics Institute (TDAI) began in 2014, with a mission to realize the university’s commitment to make Ohio a global hub for the development, application and study of data analytics solutions. TDAI is a cornerstone of the university’s Discovery Themes initiative, an investment of $500 million in new talent and resources to provide solutions to the globe’s most pressing challenges. TDAI is the largest Discovery Themes initiative, and to date has hired more than 50 faculty as joint appointments to TDAI and academic departments. The university plans to continue to hire additional faculty to expand Ohio State’s expertise in the foundational data science disciplines and applied domains, including core data and decision science, precision agriculture, population health, and digital humanities. TDAI strategically complements the expertise of its established faculty throughout Ohio State’s six campuses, 15 colleges, 105 departments, and more than 220 centers and institutes. In August of 2018, TDAI moved into new its new home in renovated Pomerene Hall, offering 21,000 square feet of research, teaching, and innovation space. This transformation of a campus landmark is the result of a $42 million investment. Set on the edge of Mirror Lake, the building houses spaces designed to spur discovery in the laboratory and the classroom, including open team environments; configurable project rooms; and unique laboratories for hardware, software, and visualization development.

 

The Ohio State University ranks among the nation’s top public research universities and has been a member of the AAU since 1916. The University enrolls 59,000 students at its main campus in Columbus and has approximately 200 undergraduate majors and more than 250 masters, doctoral, and professional degree programs. Ohio State is one of only a few universities in the U.S. that, in a single location, houses 15 different colleges, including seven health sciences colleges and a college of agriculture. The University is further recognized by a top-rated academic medical center and a premier cancer hospital and research center. As a land-grant university, Ohio State has a physical presence throughout the state, with campuses and research centers located around Ohio. Total annual research expenditures at the university are approximately $865 million, of which $465 million come from federal sources. Ohio State ranks fourth among all universities, and second among public universities, in industry-sponsored research. The university’s endowment exceeds $4.25 billion. In FY 2019, Ohio State projects revenues will grow to $7.5 billion and budgetary expenditures of $6.9 billion.

 

 

The Faculty Director of the Translational Data Analytics Institute will be expected to shape institutional priorities within a dynamic environment that values nimble adaptation, academic innovation, and commitment to excellence. The Faculty Director has responsibilities in the following areas: thought leadership, faculty affairs, diversity and inclusion, university relations, institutional and extramural partnerships, sponsored research, and advancement. The Faculty Director will be expected to work with TDAI leadership to envision, build, and sustain multi-disciplinary research partnerships and initiatives within the university and in the wider entrepreneurial ecosystem. The ideal Faculty Director will enhance Ohio State’s prominence as a leader in data science research and education across a range of rapidly evolving fields. The Faculty Director manages, oversees, and has budgetary oversight of TDAI.

 

Competitive candidates will have the following professional qualifications and personal characteristics:

  • Research Stature: distinguished research accomplishments, commensurate with appointment at the rank of professor in an AAU institution;
  • Program Leadership: proven ability in and a strong commitment to fostering team-based research, education, and translational activity in data science, including working with/ overseeing professional and technical staff;
  • Diversity and Inclusion: demonstrated record of increasing diversity and advancing a culture of inclusivity at every level of their current institutions: i.e., faculty, staff, and students; Institutional Experience: ability to navigate complex organizational structures with multi- faceted strategies, and especially the ability to work effectively with diverse groups of people, the capacity to listen, and the ability to gain trust and inspire others across the full spectrum of academic disciplines to further the Institute’s mission and programs;
  • Rainmaking Skill: experience in identifying opportunities for and the garnering of resources— institutional, sponsored or philanthropic—and leveraging those to foster and multiply the impact of TDAI activities; ability to draw upon and build strong networks among translational data scientists;
  • Impact: proven success in translating technical, social, and policy aspects of data analytics to solve real-world and global challenges;
  • Administrative Skill: fiscally responsible and able to lead decision-making in finance, space, and related resources.

 

The Search

Inquiries, nominations, and applications are invited. Although the search will remain open until the position is filled, candidate materials should be received as soon as possible. Candidates should provide a curriculum vitae, a letter of application that addresses the responsibilities and requirements described herein, and the names and contact information of five references. References will not be contacted without prior knowledge and approval of the candidate.

 

Materials should be sent electronically via e-mail to the University’s consultant, Dr. Jonathan Fortescue of Park Square Executive Search, at 92340@parksquare.com. Documents that must be mailed may be sent to Jonathan Fortescue, Ph.D., Managing Partner, or Kyle Meingast, Principal, Park Square Executive Search, LLC, 125 Summer Street, 18th Floor, Boston, MA 02110. Phone: 617-401-2991.

 

The Ohio State University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer committed to recruiting, supporting, and fostering a diverse community of outstanding faculty, staff, and students. All applicants who share this goal are encouraged to apply.