Job Details

Program Director CSDS / ENGR

The University of Idaho College of Engineering invites applications for the position of Director of the Center for Secure and Dependable Systems and faculty member in the Department of Computer Science in the College of Engineering starting August 2026. The successful candidate will have an earned PhD in Computer Science, Cybersecurity, or a closely related field and evidence of the ability to grow a cutting-edge, strong, externally funded interdisciplinary research program, and evidence of strong teaching capability. This position is open to tenured Associate or Full Professors meeting the criteria outlined in the department and college bylaws.

We seek a highly accomplished, visionary leader to serve as the Director of the Center for Secure and Dependable Systems (CSDS). Reporting to the Dean of the College of Engineering, the Director of CSDS will provide institutional vision, strategy, and leadership in educational programming, research innovation, workforce development, outreach, special projects, and advocacy in the domain of secure and dependable systems. The Director will work closely with an industry advisory board, faculty, and staff to identify, develop, implement, and promote programming that advances the core values and strategic priorities of the university in keeping with the needs of industry.

This position requires a strong commitment to administration, research, teaching, and outreach. The Center Director is responsible for interpreting university and college objectives and policies for the faculty and staff of the Center and through effective leadership, ensuring participation in formulating and carrying out the Center's plans and policies within this framework. The Center Director is expected to expand the Center to support and grow activities in secure and dependable systems activities across campus.

The candidate will be expected to teach courses in their area of expertise, mentor graduate students, and participate in the research mission of the university. They will support the teaching mission of the department at all levels and provide service to the university community. Startup funding, research support, and a reduced teaching load will be extended to help the new appointee.

The University of Idaho is a land-grant research institution founded in 1889. It has a strong tradition of research and teaching at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. The CS department has expertise in cybersecurity, robotics, software engineering, embedded systems, machine learning, data science, programming languages and databases. This position will complement these existing strengths and leverage a large body of existing opportunities to collaborate across the University including our main (Moscow) and branch campuses (Idaho Falls and Coeur d'Alene).

Competitive base faculty salary + 10% base salary administrative stipend.

Specific Center Director Position Responsibilities:

• Provide vision and strategic approach for the establishment and perpetuation of research and educational initiatives in cybersecurity and in secure and dependable systems at the University of Idaho through leadership of cross-functional collaborations with industry and university leadership, faculty, and staff.
• Collaboratively develop short- and long-term strategic plans to achieve programming and research goals using best practices for transparency, partnerships, and trust.
• Develop and lead an industry advisory board.
• Lead development and delivery of original and joint coursework for effective, cybersecurity and secure and dependable systems literacy across campus.
• Build grant and contract funding streams with additional private sector cost sharing to support secure and dependable systems initiatives.
• Provide timely, dependable information and decision support to leadership on cybersecurity issues across the state.
• Prepare and implement the University's secure and dependable systems strategy, in coordination with the Dean of the College of Engineering, other related college deans, the Provost's Office and the President's Office.
• Steer the Center's efforts to achieve level III status as defined by the Office of Research and Economic Development.
• Create and coordinate annual research symposia to share research findings and best practices with collaborative partners and the community.
• Develop, recommend, and monitor annual and other program budgets.
• Uphold appropriate budgeting and reporting practices to maintain program integrity and stakeholder trust.
• Report periodically to college administration, program steering committee, and stakeholders regarding the progress of initiatives, opportunities, challenges, and tactics employed to achieve program objectives.
• Support and maintain compliance with university personnel policy and procedures, as well as federal, state, and local regulations.
• Lead efforts to secure and maintain CAE and/or ABET and/or other relevant pursued denominations or certifications for the University of Idaho Cybersecurity programs.
• Support the teaching mission of the College of Engineering: the center director should teach courses supporting the computer science and cybersecurity degree programs, striving for excellence and serving as a role model for faculty in the department in teaching and assessment approaches, methods, and tools.
• Mentor and support graduate students and doctoral researchers: The center director should serve of graduate committees for M.S. and Ph.D. both as a major professor and as a committee member for students advised by other faculty The director should mentor postdoctoral fellows to aid in the career development. The Center Director should mentor faculty and staff to help them excel in their career growth.

This administrative appointment or the administrative portion of the faculty appointment is temporary. Employee acknowledges and agrees that in the event there is no longer a need for the administrative assignment, as determined by the University in its sole discretion, University may change this Agreement and remove the administrative salary and/or course release during the contract year and employee may return to their faculty appointment, upon 60 days written notice.

Teaching & Advising - 30%

Scholarship & Creative Activity - 35%

Outreach & Extension - 0%

University Service & Leadership - 35%

Qualifications:

Minimum Education/Degree Required - Listed degree qualification is required at time of application.

Required Qualifications - PhD degree in Computer Science, Cybersecurity, or a closely related field. Must be tenured at the rank of Associate or Full Professor at current institution or have 10 years of work experience in industry whose work would meet the criteria for tenure and the rank of at least Associate Professor as detailed in the bylaws of the unit and college. Experience working collaboratively with others. Experience engaging, advising, and mentoring graduate and undergraduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and assistant and associate rank faculty. Experience as a teacher, academic program developer, and course content developer. Experience performing interdisciplinary and/or collaborative research in Cybersecurity including success in sharing results in publications, presentations, and/or other appropriate top venues. Experience pursuing and securing external funding for implementing and sustaining Cybersecurity-focused academic, research, and instructional programs. Authorized to work in the U.S.

Preferred Qualifications - Leadership experience in an academic environment. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Demonstrated ability to promote and maintain a productive collaborative environment for Cybersecurity research and education. Demonstrated leadership in the development, management, and implementation of NSF CyberCorps Scholarship for Service programs. Demonstrated ability to significantly contribute to securing and maintaining relevant Cybersecurity program accreditation and denominations such as ABET and CAE. Demonstrated ability to work successfully with collaborating internal and external personnel and entities to achieve organizational goals including demonstrated success in competitive or resource constrained environments and demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with different points of view. Eligibility to hold a security clearance.

Posting Information:

Posting Date - 11/22/2024

Closing Date

Open Until Filled - Yes

Special Instructions to Applicants - This position is open until filled with a first review date of December 1, 2025. Complete applications include:

Cover letter

CV

Research and Teaching Statement

Leadership statement describing transformational research activities and a vision for transitioning CSDS to a national center of excellence. (Other Document 1)

List of 5 references

Applicant Resources -

Background Check Statement - Applicants who are selected as final possible candidates must be able to pass a criminal background check.

EEO Statement - The University of Idaho is an equal employment opportunity employer, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.

A visa sponsorship is available for the position listed in this vacancy. - No