Department

PSD Applied Data Science Staff

About the Department

The Master of Science in Applied Data Science (MS-ADS) program is a large professional graduate program within the Data Science Institute (DSI) and Physical Sciences Division (PSD) at The University of Chicago. Students may complete the degree full- or part-time and in-person or online. Beginning in autumn 2026, students may apply to an 18 course, thesis track pathway in addition to the current 12 course degree. MS-ADS also offers a joint degree with the Booth School of Business’s full-time program. The MS-ADS curriculum and co-curriculum are designed for those with strong academic backgrounds in technical STEM fields. MS-ADS’s competitive domestic and international student body wants to launch or advance their careers in data science. Faculty train students for careers in industry across multiple sectors by applying their extensive real-world experiences as data science leaders and teaching the latest topics in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and more.

Learn more about our program at  https://datascience.uchicago.edu/education/masters-programs/ms-in-applied-data-science 

Job Summary

Reporting to the Director of Academic Affairs and Operations, the Instructional Designer (ID) will support the translation of faculty subject expertise to educational technology platforms for effective educational outcomes in the MS in Applied Data Science (MS-ADS) program at the University of Chicago. The ID will join a mid-sized team that serves across multiple functional areas. The ID will provide critical expertise and input  regarding promising or best practices for how MS-ADS faculty teach and how students learn. Therefore, it is integral that the new hire provides both pedagogy and instructional technology support to Online Program full- and part-time faculty. Limited support will also be provided to faculty who teach with the In-Person program. Additionally, the ID will support the development, delivery, evaluation, and maintenance of high-quality, primarily online courses. More specifically, the ID will work with individual faculty members to create effective strategies in online pedagogy, including but not limited to 1) use of educational technology tools within the learning management system, rich media, assessment systems, real-time platforms, and related systems; 2) design of learning objectives that lead to analysis, synthesis, and evaluation; and 3) creation of appropriately rigorous learning resources, activities, and assessments. This position is based in NBC Tower in downtown Chicago, IL and is eligible for a partially remote work schedule.

Responsibilities

• Coach faculty on defining instructional goals, establishing learning outcomes, and designing learning activities, assignments, and assessments.
• Collaborate with faculty to identify and create engaging online learning experiences leveraging techniques and technologies to teach technical/STEM content.
• Promote the adoption of innovative learning technologies, instructional strategies, and pedagogical approaches and work with faculty to explore and incorporate instructional technologies and teaching methodologies.
• Lead the development and refinement of courses utilizing a Successive Approximation Model (SAM) approach, including managing development and implementation schedules.
• Maintain up-to-date, in-depth knowledge of best and emerging practices in online teaching and continuing and professional education and presenting on best and emerging practices to internal and external audiences.
• Assess effectiveness of learning experiences, course design, and development processes and identify and implement opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Evaluate course quality in terms of design and facilitation using established online learning and design rubrics, such as Quality Matters (QM), Online Learning Consortium (OLC), or Open SUNY Course Quality Review (OSCQR) rubrics.
• Apply learning theory and instructional theory necessary for excellent online and in-person course design and implementation.
• Execute on the development of online content in instructor’s Canvas sites and integrate agreed upon educational technologies to promote effective teaching strategies and to improve student-learning experiences.
• Develop resources and services, including tailored training programs, documentation, online reference materials, learning modules, and seminars ranging from basic online course management skills to the advanced applications of technology in teaching.
• Act as an expert resource for our Canvas learning management system and University supported academic technologies.
• Manage and coordinate the quarterly setup and maintenance of courses in Canvas and its associated applications such as Zoom, EdDiscussions, Gradescope, and Panopto.
• Develop and update online manuals, tutorials, orientations, and user reference documentation. Serve as a resource for colleagues and system users, and responds to inquiries related to use of the systems.
• Collaborate with MS-ADS Instructional Services staff, UChicago Instructional Technology staff, and other academic units to research, evaluate, and pilot new Canvas technology integrations and other instructional technologies.
• Remain current and have a thorough understanding of the latest academic and industry technology tools and trends in online education.
• Drafts teaching materials that support academic and professional writing and writing pedagogy. Implements and assists with evaluating writing program curricula, policies, and procedures.
• Gathers and analyzes data for possible solutions concerning program performance. Writes reports and expands knowledge and experience in the area.
• Performs other related work as needed. 

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Master’s degree or PhD in Instructional Design, Education or Learning and Development.

Preferred Competencies

• Demonstrated experience developing synchronous online courses.
• Demonstrated experience developing learning activities and materials for STEM fields.
• Familiarity with Universal Design and other accessibility principles to ensure course content is accessible to all learners.
• Excellent attention to detail and skills in communication, customer service, presentation design and delivery, and data collection and analysis.
• Work independently and as a member of a team, to take initiative, and adapt to dynamic and ever-changing environments.
• Experience in leading and managing multiple, complex projects, and the ability to schedule, prioritize and meet varied deadlines across these projects.
• Proven knowledge of instructional design strategies, along with the current techniques, tools, and procedures used in the design, development, and evaluation of STEM, technology-enhanced, and online courses and programs.
• Experience in synchronous and asynchronous online teaching or workshop facilitation in higher education.
• Demonstrated competence in working with learning management systems.

Working Conditions

• This position is eligible for a partially remote work schedule.
• This position may require occasional work outside of standard business hours to accommodate instructor schedules.

Application Documents

• Resume (required)
• Cover Letter (required)
• References – Name, email address, and phone number of 3 references (required)

When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family

Academic Affairs

Role Impact

Individual Contributor

Scheduled Weekly Hours

37.5

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Pay Rate Type

Salary

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FLSA Status

Exempt

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Pay Range

$76,000.00 – $92,000.00

The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

Benefits Eligible

Yes

The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University’s Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form. 

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history.  A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment.  Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

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