Teaching Fellow Position in Applied Social Data Science

The Department of Political Science, School of Social Sciences and Philosophy is seeking to appoint a Teaching Fellow in Applied Social Data Science, to commence on 1st January 2026.
 
The Department of Political Science wishes to make a Teaching Fellow appointment with a special focus on contributing to the postgraduate programme in Applied Social Data Science. In particular, this includes full-time support for the modules in this programme in terms of lectures and tutorials, with a focus on research-led postgraduate teaching. The candidate will also be capable of further developing the quality of our research-led postgraduate teaching. The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate strong experience, either as a teaching assistant or lead instructor. An ability to teach modules in research design, quantitative research methods, machine learning and quantitative text analysis at both undergraduate and postgraduate level is highly desirable. The Department is seeking to appoint an individual with vision and enthusiasm and a genuine commitment to the vital role of teaching.
 
The priority teaching expectations for this position are to provide teaching support (tutorials, seminars, grading, etc) for six semester length modules (or module equivalents) offered as part of a postgraduate diploma on Applied Social Data Science (computer programming, machine learning, research design, advanced statistics, text analysis, forecasting). Depending on the applicant’s skills and Departmental needs, the postholder may be asked to teach modules as main instructor, on data science topics or as part of the Department of Political Science’s other offerings at undergraduate or postgraduate level.

Application Procedure

Candidates should submit the following documentation via email to Natasha Halpin at recruit.polsci.sssp@tcd.ie, indicating “Teaching Fellow in Applied Social Data Science” in the subject line by 5 pm, Friday, 18 July 2025.
 
1. Cover letter – 2 x A4 pages maximum;
2. A full curriculum vitae with names, affiliation, and contact details of 2 referees included;
- For applicants who have completed a PhD, please state the PhD award date as shown on the degree certificate.
3. Teaching statement (summarizing teaching experience and approach – 2 x A4 pages maximum);
- The teaching statement should explicitly address readiness to teach the following data science modules:

• Applied Statistical Analysis (taught using R, two module sequence)
• Research Design for the Social Sciences
• Computer Programming for Social Sciences (taught using R and Python)

As well as at least one of the following:

• Introduction to Machine Learning
• Quantitative Text Analysis for Social Sciences
• Social Forecasting

- The applicant may also mention how they would be ready to teach any other modules in data science or political science they may wish to offer as main instructor. For more information about the current modules on offer in ASDS, please see  https://www.tcd.ie/Political_Science/programmes/postgraduate/pg-dip-app…
4. Materials in support of demonstrating teaching experience and excellence, such as student evaluations of modules taught, teaching awards, etc., where available.