What are the responsibilities and job description for the PHD Graduate Student position at William & Mary?
Company Description
Located in Williamsburg, Virginia, William & Mary is one of the nation’s oldest and most distinguished universities, with a history spanning over 300 years. The university uniquely combines the resources and global reach of a leading research institution with the close mentorship and personalized education of a liberal arts and sciences environment.
William & Mary consistently ranks among the top public universities in the United States and is widely recognized for delivering exceptional value. The university offers a broad portfolio of undergraduate and graduate programs across disciplines, with a strong and growing emphasis on STEM, data science, and computational research. A defining feature of the institution is its commitment to faculty-mentored research, with a large majority of undergraduates and all graduate students actively engaged in research.
The recently established School of Computing, Data Sciences, and Physics (CDSP) brings together computing, data science, and physics within a cohesive framework, positioning William & Mary at the forefront of interdisciplinary research and education.
Role Description
This is a full-time, on-site PhD position in Data Science within the School of Computing, Data Sciences, and Physics at William & Mary, located in Williamsburg, VA.
The PhD student will conduct original research at the intersection of data science, machine learning, and the physical sciences, contributing to high-impact publications and collaborative research projects. Responsibilities include working closely with faculty mentors, participating in interdisciplinary research initiatives, and contributing to the broader academic mission of the department.
Additional responsibilities may include:
- Presenting research at leading conferences and workshops
- Contributing to open-source or scientific software development
- Engaging with national laboratories and external collaborators
- Contributing to outreach and engagement within the scientific community
Qualifications
- Strong background in data science, physics, applied mathematics, computer science, or a related field
- Demonstrated ability in research, analytical thinking, and problem solving
- Experience with programming, data analysis, and machine learning frameworks
- Familiarity with scientific computing, statistical inference, or numerical methods
- Strong written and verbal communication skills for academic and technical audiences
- Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in interdisciplinary environments
- Commitment to rigorous, ethical, and reproducible research practices
- A Master’s degree or equivalent preparation in a relevant field is preferred (exceptional candidates with a Bachelor’s degree will be considered)
- Demonstrated interest in applying AI/ML to scientific or real-world problems