[Hiring] Adjunct Professor of Data Science - PhD Chair @Eastern University

Role Description

The Dissertation Chair in the PhD in Applied Data Science program guides doctoral candidates through applied empirical research, leading committee oversight and ensuring methodological rigor from initial proposal through final defense. This is a part-time, adjunct faculty position in SMCS. This position is fully remote.

Position Responsibilities

• Faith-Grounded Mentorship & Care: Integrate Christian faith and servant leadership into dissertation supervision by modeling grace, patience, and intentional care, fostering a growth-minded, supportive learning environment tailored to working adult learners.
• Research & Writing Mentorship: Provide structured, actionable feedback on student drafts via collaborative digital tools (e.g., Google Docs), strictly adhering to a one-week turnaround to maintain momentum.
• Committee Leadership: Help students assemble a qualified doctoral committee consisting of the Chair, at least one additional Eastern University faculty or staff member, and an optional external subject-matter expert.
• Ethical & Methodological Governance: Ensure research designs adhere to quantitative, qualitative, or mixed-methods rigor, and mandate that any project involving human subjects completes Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval prior to data collection.
• Academic Guidance: Demonstrate intentional care, empathy, and patience throughout the dissertation journey, fostering an encouraging, supportive learning environment tailored to working professionals.

Qualifications

• Commitment to excellent teaching in a Christian context.
• Education: An earned doctoral degree (PhD or equivalent) in Data Science, Computer Science, Statistics, Analytics, or a closely aligned field.
• Experience: Demonstrated track record of scholarly research, industry practice, or doctoral-level instruction and advising.
• Skills: Expertise in empirical research methodologies, strong written critique capabilities, and familiarity with online/hybrid doctoral mentoring.

Background Checks

• Standard University employees are required to complete the background clearance process. Employment is contingent upon the successful results of an employment background screening.
• Youth Clearances are required for positions with direct contact with children and essential personnel positions.
• Employees working with or around minor age children are required to complete the youth clearance process which includes the following four child protection clearances:
  • Affidavit;
  • FBI Criminal Record Check;
  • Pennsylvania Department of Human Services Child Abuse History Clearance;
  • Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Record Check.

Description Disclaimer

This description is intended to describe the general level and nature of work performed by the person/people assigned to this position. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive list of duties and responsibilities of the person/people so assigned.

Statement of Non-Discrimination

Eastern University is committed to the principles of equal opportunity as defined under federal and state law, and does not discriminate unlawfully on the basis of race, gender, sexual orientation, color, creed, disability, national/ethnic origin, age, disabled veteran/Vietnam-era, Genetic Information and Nondiscrimination Act (GINA), or veteran status in its admission policy, program, or activities, educational policies, scholarship and loan programs, athletic and other University-administered programs, or employment practices and programs.