Career Development Network
Welcome!
The Academic Data Science Alliance's Career Development Network (CDN) is a community of data practitioners advancing best practices in the dynamic field of data science.
The CDN cultivates meaningful connections between early- and mid-career data scientists by providing an inclusive space where members can engage in peer-to-peer learning through the sharing of experiences, resources, and expertise.
CDN Activity Themes:
- CONNECTING: Building an interdisciplinary community of collaborative researchers and educators through regular communications and in-person meetings
- SHARING: Promoting knowledge and skill sharing to enable members to stay up-to-date with rapid developments in methods, tools, software, and pedagogy and integrate new approaches into their research and teaching
- MENTORING: Cultivating mentoring relationships between members to support career development
- FUNDING: Assembling interdisciplinary teams of members to jointly pursue competitive funding for collaborative research, and connecting existing research teams to available funding opportunities
Interested in becoming a CDN Member?
We are excited to welcome new members to the network. Please let us know if you are interested in joining us!
Fill out this form
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Stay up to date with the CDN and learn about upcoming opportunities.
Quick Links
CDN Steering Committee 2022 – 2024
Elie Alhajjar, Ph.D.
Army Cyber Institute
Senior Research Scientist
Karen Chen, Ph.D.
University of Maryland Baltimore County
Assistant Professor
Diya Das, Ph.D.
Genentech
Data Planning, Access & Sharing Lead
Maryam Vareth, Ph.D.
University of California, Berkeley
Innovate For Health Director and Research Lead in Health & Life
FAQs
Does it cost money to join?
No, the CDN is free to join.
Who should join the CDN?
Members of the CDN are primarily early- to mid-career data scientists employed by academic and academic-adjacent institutions. CDN members participate in scholarly research, teaching, training, and/or outreach.
Who is considered early- to mid-career?
Anyone who is 1-10 years into their career (e.g., senior-level graduate students to pre-tenure/first 10 years into their career).
Is the CDN only for people in academia?
No. The CDN is also for people employed by non-academic institutions, including for-profit companies, government institutions, and nonprofits. People who are currently looking for work in a data science field are also highly encouraged to join.
"Data Scientist" isn't in my job title. Can I still join?
Yes! The CDN welcomes anyone who works within a data-intensive field or wants to advance the field of data science.
I'm an undergraduate student. Should I join the CDN?
The CDN is mostly tailored to senior-level graduate students and above. Undergraduates are encouraged to join or start an ADSA student chapter at their school. Learn more here.
Can I join the CDN if I am not a member of ADSA?
No, you are not required to be a member of ADSA to join the CDN. However, we highly encourage everyone to become a member. Membership fees for students and postdocs are discounted. You can learn more about becoming a member of ADSA here.
Will I automatically become a member of the Academic Data Science Alliance (ADSA) by joining the CDN?
No, you must sign up separately and pay a fee to become a member of ADSA. Membership fees for students and postdocs are discounted. You can learn more about becoming a member of ADSA here.
What's expected of CDN members?
Members are encouraged to share their technical expertise and personal experiences on Slack and in ADSA’s community blog. Members also have the opportunity to mentor and shape the focus of our programs by taking on leadership roles like joining the CDN Steering Committee.
Do I have to be a member of ADSA to join the CDN?
No. The CDN is free for anyone to join.
How does the CDN support folks outside of academia?
The CDN supports non-academics in several ways, including career panels for those looking to switch or start new careers outside of academia. We also offer opportunities to present and collaborate on research, share tools, and network with some of the brightest minds in the field.
What if I'm no longer early- to mid-career?
You're welcome to remain a member. The CDN relies on people outside of early- to mid-career levels to facilitate connections and serve as mentors. However, you may find that ADSA can better serve your needs by joining our Data Science Leadership community.
What if I want to leave the CDN?
No problem. You can leave the CDN at any time by emailing info@academicdatascience.org. Include "Opt out of CDN" or "Opt out of CDN Directory" in the subject line and we will remove you within 5 business days.
Didn't see the answer to your question?
Send us an email at info@academicdatascience.org or post your question in our Slack.