The Hertie School is recruiting an Endowed Professor of Data Science for the Common Good (open rank). The successful candidate innovates or applies data science to questions relevant to the common good, in particular the public sector and civil society. They have demonstrated capacity for research at the highest levels in their discipline, through a record of publications in top outlets. Furthermore, the candidate will contribute to data science teaching in the School’s MSc Data Science for Public Policy programme. In recognition of the burgeoning talent in this field, the professorship is open rank. Early-career candidates will enter a formal tenure track. The expected start date is 1 August 2023.

Applicants for this position must have a PhD (or expect to have this degree by the start of employment). They should have a research profile in fields such as data science, statistics, computer science, machine learning, quantitative social science, or related, and their work should connect methodological strength with relevance for society and/or the public sector. The candidate should ideally have previous engagement with the public and/or third sector to understand the depth of issues facing these sectors in the use of digital technologies and data science. Examples of relevant existing or planned research for the position may include: (1) the use of data science and data processing technologies to support policymaking, public services and civil society; (2) development of methods and applications related to responsible AI and AI ethics; (3) the use of data science to study other aspects related to public goods, including but not limited to critical infrastructure, data privacy, and environmental goods.

The successful candidate will hold a professorship based on a dedicated permanent endowment funded by the Dieter Schwarz Foundation. The professorship will have the opportunity to tap into and contribute to a network of partners of the Foundation such as TU Munich, the Oxford Internet Institute, HEC, and Stanford University. The professorship will be affiliated with the Data Science Lab and can be co-affiliated with other Centres of Excellence within the Hertie School. The successful candidate will actively contribute to the Data Science Lab’s research, outreach, and teaching activities. The Hertie School will offer substantial resources to support the professor in fostering their research agenda and contributing to outreach activities.

The Hertie School recruits faculty who will create a climate that embraces excellence and diversity with a strong commitment to high-quality teaching and innovative research of interest to the international scholarly community and policymakers. Candidates should enjoy working in an interdisciplinary, international environment with English as the language of instruction and operation. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to teach in the School’s Master, Executive, and PhD programmes. Teaching experience in data science, computer science, programming, machine learning, quantitative social science, or related fields is expected.

As a private non-profit university, endowed and supported by the Hertie Foundation, the Hertie School offers an internationally competitive salary as well as a paid sabbatical after every five semesters. We provide excellent working conditions with outstanding financial and administrative support for research. The Hertie School is fully embedded in Berlin’s vibrant research landscape and has close ties to the top institutions of the European and international teaching and research community.

The Hertie School is a diverse, international, and lively community located in the heart of Berlin. We welcome all applications – irrespective of gender, nationality, ethnic or social origin, religion, disability, age, or sexual orientation. The Hertie School expressly encourages women and/or persons from ethnic groups underrepresented in German Academia to apply. Equally qualified applicants with disabilities will be given preference. The Hertie School takes a family friendly workplace seriously. Under German law, there is standard paid leave for parents after the birth or adoption of a child.