Associate Director for Data & AI Investigations and Partnerships
Not Disclosed•Full-TimeOn-site
location_onPlanifyr
About the Philip Merrill College of Journalism
The Philip Merrill College of Journalism at the University of Maryland is consistently ranked among the world's top journalism schools. Located just miles from Washington, D.C., the college employs acclaimed researchers and award-winning journalists, preparing students to join a dynamic profession with rigorous reporting, research, and analytical skills. The college is home to the award-winning Howard Center for Investigative Journalism and hosts the national office of the National Association of Black Journalists.
About the Howard Center for Investigative Journalism
The Howard Center is an investigative reporting unit and journalism training program funded by the Scripps Howard Foundation. It regularly partners with major national newsrooms—including NPR, PBS NewsHour, The Associated Press, and FRONTLINE—to produce deeply reported investigations. The center specializes in investigative reporting that leverages complex data analysis, open source intelligence (OSINT), applied machine learning, and large language models.
Notably, the center was a finalist for the 2025 Pulitzer Prize in Investigative Reporting for a data-driven investigation into police custody deaths. This project utilized large language models to sift through hundreds of thousands of digital documents and built an original database documenting over 1,000 deaths following the use of "nonlethal" restraint methods.
About the Role
The Howard Center is seeking an innovative and collaborative data journalist to serve as the Associate Director for Data & AI Investigations and Partnerships. This is a 12-month, full-time, professional track faculty position (Lecturer) based in-person at the University of Maryland campus in College Park.
In this role, you will help launch and manage a new initiative to curate newsworthy data and document collections for journalists and researchers. You will work closely with the Howard Center director to establish data-driven reporting collaborations with professional and academic newsroom partners. A key part of your day will involve responsibly incorporating large language models and AI into the investigative reporting workflow, while also overseeing staff and graduate fellows.
As a member of the Merrill College faculty, you will also teach one hands-on class per year tied to Howard Center data investigations. This position offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of investigative journalism by blending traditional reporting with cutting-edge AI tools.
The Hiring Process
To apply, please submit a resume, a cover letter explaining your interest and how your prior work aligns with the role, and links to three examples of your work (such as data-driven stories, databases, tools, or teaching materials) along with a brief explanation of your role in their production.
The best consideration date for applications is June 18, 2026. Offers of employment are contingent on the completion of a background check.
Equal Opportunity Employer
The University of Maryland, College Park is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status. The University is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive community.
Work location
Work model: On-site
Planifyr
Key Responsibilities
- check_circleLaunch and manage a new initiative to gather and maintain curated data and document collections for journalists
- check_circleEstablish and manage data-driven reporting collaborations with professional and academic newsroom partners
- check_circleIncorporate large language models and artificial intelligence into the investigative reporting workflow
- check_circleOversee the work of Howard Center staff members and graduate fellows specializing in investigative data journalism
- check_circleManage student-driven investigative data journalism projects in collaboration with professional news organizations
- check_circleTeach one hands-on class per year focused on Howard Center data investigations
Requirements
- verifiedBachelor's degree
- verifiedMinimum of four years of post-college experience as a professional journalist
- verifiedData journalism experience
- verifiedWork authorization verification (Form I-9)
Nice to Have
Experience producing investigative data journalism as a reporter; experience managing investigative data journalism projects as an editor, project manager or similar role; experience building and maintaining newsworthy databases or document collections for internal newsroom or external partner use — or managing people engaged in that work; experience experimenting with — or a demonstrated interest in learning — new approaches to investigative reporting using large language models, agentic systems, machine learning or other forms of artificial intelligence; experience establishing or managing editorial collaborations with internal or external newsroom partners; teaching and mentoring experience (which could include university-level teaching, running a workshop at a professional conference like IRE or NICAR, or informally teaching newsroom colleagues); management experience (which could include experience managing professionals or experience managing early career journalists, interns or students); experience with – or a demonstrated interest in learning – storytelling forms tailored to reach new audiences.
Benefits & Perks
check_circle41 days of leave per year including 22 vacation days, 3 personal days, 16 holidays, and 15 days of sick leavecheck_circleChoice of defined-benefit pension or defined-contribution plan with 7.25% employer contribution and no employee contribution requiredcheck_circleComprehensive health, prescription drug, dental, vision, term-life, accidental death, and long-term disability insuranceTuition remission at University of Maryland, College Park and other University System of Maryland schools for employee and dependents
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Skills, education and keywords
Skills: Data Journalism, Data Analysis, Investigative Reporting, Digital Document Analysis, Open Source Intelligence, Osint, Machine Learning, Large Language Models, Artificial Intelligence, Database Management.
Education: Bachelor's degree required.
Frequently asked questions about Associate Director for Data & AI Investigations and Partnerships at University of Maryland – College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences
What does a Associate Director for Data & AI Investigations and Partnerships at University of Maryland – College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences do?expand_more
A Associate Director for Data & AI Investigations and Partnerships at University of Maryland – College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences is responsible for the following: Launch and manage a new initiative to gather and maintain curated data and document collections for journalists; Establish and manage data-driven reporting collaborations with professional and academic newsroom partners; Incorporate large language models and artificial intelligence into the investigative reporting workflow; and Oversee the work of Howard Center staff members and graduate fellows specializing in investigative data journalism.
What are the requirements for this Associate Director for Data & AI Investigations and Partnerships role?expand_more
University of Maryland – College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences is looking for candidates who meet the following requirements: Bachelor's degree; Minimum of four years of post-college experience as a professional journalist; Data journalism experience; and Work authorization verification (Form I-9).
Where is the Associate Director for Data & AI Investigations and Partnerships role at University of Maryland – College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences located?expand_more
Associate Director for Data & AI Investigations and Partnerships at University of Maryland – College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences is based in Planifyr. This is a on-site role.
Is this Associate Director for Data & AI Investigations and Partnerships job remote, hybrid, or on-site?expand_more
University of Maryland – College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences has listed this Associate Director for Data & AI Investigations and Partnerships role as on-site.
How much experience is required for this Associate Director for Data & AI Investigations and Partnerships role?expand_more
Associate Director for Data & AI Investigations and Partnerships at University of Maryland – College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences typically requires 4+ years of relevant experience at the lead level.
What skills do you need for the Associate Director for Data & AI Investigations and Partnerships role at University of Maryland – College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences?expand_more
Key skills for Associate Director for Data & AI Investigations and Partnerships at University of Maryland – College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences include Data Journalism; Data Analysis; Investigative Reporting; Digital Document Analysis; Open Source Intelligence; Osint; Machine Learning; and Large Language Models.
What education is required for Associate Director for Data & AI Investigations and Partnerships at University of Maryland – College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences?expand_more
Educational requirements for this role: Bachelor's degree required.
What category does the Associate Director for Data & AI Investigations and Partnerships role belong to?expand_more
Associate Director for Data & AI Investigations and Partnerships at University of Maryland – College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences is part of the scientific & qa job category on Recrutus.