Rising Stars in Data Science

The Rising Stars in Data Science Workshop will take place November 9-10, 2026, at the University of Chicago, in collaboration with Harvard University,  the University of California San Diego, and Stanford University. The workshop focuses on celebrating and fast-tracking the careers of exceptional data scientists at a critical inflection point: the transition to a postdoctoral scholar, research scientist, industry research position, or tenure-track position. Over the past five years, the Rising Stars workshop has hosted over 180 Rising Stars from nearly 50 institutions.

The University of Chicago will host the seventh annual Rising Stars workshop to showcase the exciting, innovative data science initiatives at UChicago, Harvard, UC San Diego, and Stanford. This event will provide PhD students and postdocs the opportunity to plug into these networks, platforms, and opportunities. The workshop also aims to increase representation and diversity in data science by providing a platform and a supportive mentoring network to navigate academic careers in data science. All graduate students and postdocs, including those who belong to groups underrepresented in data science, are encouraged to apply, including but not limited to people of all racial, ethnic, geographic, and socioeconomic backgrounds, sexual orientations, genders, and persons with disabilities.

The two-day workshop will feature career and research panels, networking and mentoring opportunities, and research talks from the Rising Stars. Participants will gain insights from faculty panels on career development questions such as: how to start your academic career in data science; how to strategically sustain your career through research collaborations, publications, and skill development; and how to form meaningful interdisciplinary collaborations in data science with industry and government partners. Participants will also hear inspiring keynote talks from established, cutting-edge leaders in data science.

Eligibility & Guidelines

If you have any questions about your eligibility, please send an email to data-science@uchicago.edu.

• Applicants must be full-time graduate students within 1 year of obtaining a PhD, or a current postdoctoral scholar, fellow, or researcher.

• We welcome applicants from a wide variety of fields and backgrounds: any eligible PhD or postdoc who is engaging in rigorous, data-driven inquiry is encouraged to apply.

• Applicants from all institutions, including but not limited to the University of California San Diego, the University of Chicago, Stanford University, and Harvard University, are encouraged to apply.

• Applicants may only submit one application.

• Applicants may have nominations from a maximum of two faculty members or advisors.

The application period is now closed for 2026.

Workshop Format

• Rising Star research talks

• Panels (career development, data science research)

• Keynote address

• 1:1 meetings with faculty members

• Networking within the UChicago, Harvard, UC San Diego, and Stanford data science ecosystems

November 11:

November 12: