Institution

University of North Texas

Job Title

Chair of Department of Information Science (Associate or Full Professor)

Department/College

College of Information

Dates

Opening Date: 10/28/2024
Closing Date:  10/28/2025

Job Description

The Department of Information Science at the University of North Texas (UNT) invites applications at the rank of Associate or Full Professor with the additional responsibility as the Chair of Department of Information Science. The department chair holds a 12-month appointment. We seek candidates who are dynamic, enthusiastic, and visionary leaders with an internationally recognized research reputation in one or more core information science areas that complement existing departmental strengths in information and knowledge creation, use, communication, discovery, selection, retrieval, analysis, evaluation, and management. The candidates will be expected to foster a vibrant educational environment, promote innovative research, and enhance community engagement.

Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the search is closed.

Job Duties

The Chair is expected to collaborate with faculty, staff, and students to advance the department’s mission and vision and bring a collaborative and forward-thinking approach to interdisciplinary/multidisciplinary/transdisciplinary education.

In addition to the administrative responsibilities as Chair of the Department of Information Science, the successful candidate will be expected to:
  • Contribute to the ongoing quality improvement of the Department’s academic programs
  • Initiate new interdisciplinary collaborations and expand existing ones with other research groups on campus, including but not limited to Computer Science, Data Science, Humanities and Social Sciences, and Learning Technologies, and health related areas
  • Spearhead efforts to recruit new students at the undergraduate and graduate levels
  • Work to build partnerships and internship opportunities with industry
  • Develop new relationships and strengthen existing ones with international partners
  • Build and cultivate alumni relations
  • Work with Advancements towards donor relations
  • Provide leadership in growing research efforts of the department, including grants and publications
  • Seek innovative funding opportunities for the department.

Experience/Qualifications/Knowledge/Skills

Minimum Qualifications
Candidates must have an earned doctorate in information science or related field. The successful candidate will have demonstrated an active research agenda, with a consistent and robust record of grant seeking and high-quality publications, as well as a strong commitment to innovative teaching. Applicants seeking appointment with tenure at the associate professor or professor rank must meet UNT’s criteria for tenure at the appropriate level.
Desirable qualifications include previous supervisory experience in an administrative position with budgeting authority and a demonstrated record of or potential for high-quality educational leadership, especially in the areas of curriculum and program development.


Supplemental Information

Values Overview

Welcome to the University of North Texas System. The UNT System includes the University of North Texas in Denton and Frisco, the University of North Texas at Dallas and UNT Dallas College of Law, and the University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth. We are the only university system based exclusively in the robust Dallas-Fort Worth region. We are growing with the North Texas region, employing more than 14,000 employees, educating a record 49,000+ students across our system, and awarding nearly 12,000 degrees each year. We are one team comprised of individuals who are committed to excellence, curiosity and innovation. We are transforming lives and creating economic opportunity through education. We champion a people-first values-based culture where We Care about each other and those we serve. We believe that we are Better Together because we foster an inclusive environment of respect, belonging, and access for all. We demonstrate Courageous Integrity through setting exceptional standards and acting in the best interest of our communities. We are encouraged to Be Curious about opportunities for learning, creating, discovering, and innovating, and are encouraged to learn from failure. Show Your Fire by joining our team and exhibiting your passion and pride in your work as part of our UNT System team. Learn more about the UNT System and how we live our values at www.UNTSystem.edu.

Department Summary

The Department of Information Science is part of the University of North Texas (UNT), which is ranked a Tier One university by the Carnegie Classification. The University offers 114 bachelor’s, 87 master’s, and 39 doctoral degree programs, many nationally and internationally recognized. Degree programs in the Department of Information Science include an undergraduate program in information science, masters programs in information science, health informatics, and library science and a PhD program in interdisciplinary information science, as well as several non-degree certificates. Additional information about degrees, courses, and faculty can be found at https://informationscience.unt.edu/. Our master’s programs are nationally recognized.

The Department of Information Science, one of four departments in the College of Information, promotes the understanding of, access to, and use of data and information through teaching, research and service activities. The Department prepares information professionals of the highest quality to serve in dynamic roles locally, nationally, and globally. Faculty members measure their success by scholarly activities and the quality of their students’ intellectual contributions to the profession and society. The American Library Association has accredited the Department’s master’s programs in Library Science and Information Science continuously since 1965.

The faculty in the Department of Information Science have historically and consistently brought an interdisciplinary/multidisciplinary/transdisciplinary approach to their teaching and scholarship. UNT has a highly diverse campus with a wide range of languages spoken in addition to English. We welcome candidates who have experience with HSI/MSIs and/or who speak Spanish, Vietnamese, American Sign Language, Chinese (Cantonese, Mandarin and other variations), Arabic, Tagalog, Farsi, French, or/and Yoruba.

Benefits

For information regarding our Benefits, click here: https://hr.untsystem.edu/benefits/index.php

EEO Statement

The University of North Texas System is firmly committed to equal opportunity and does not permit -- and takes actions to prevent -- discrimination, harassment (including sexual violence) and retaliation on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status in its application and admission processes, educational programs and activities, facilities and employment practices. The University of North Texas System immediately investigates complaints of discrimination and takes remedial action when appropriate. The University of North Texas System also takes actions to prevent retaliation against individuals who oppose any form of harassment or discriminatory practice, file a charge or report, or testify, assist or participate in an investigative proceeding or hearing.