Chair and Professor in Computer Science

Cleveland State University
Chair and Professor in Computer Science

Job Summary:
Cleveland State University (CSU) seeks a dynamic and visionary inaugural Chair of the newly planned Department of Computer Science (CS) to work with, lead, and grow the department beginning July 1, 2023. The new Department will be established in Fall 2023. CSU is committed to academic excellence and diversity within the faculty, staff, and student body. CSU is striving to be a nationally recognized and student focused public research institution that provides accessible, affordable, and Engaged Learning opportunities for all.

The new Department will offer BS degrees in Computer Science and Data Science, and MS degrees in Computer Science and Software Engineering. These programs currently reside in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. In addition, CS faculty actively participate in the college wide PhD in Engineering degree program through the Computer Science PhD specialization. In addition, CS faculty will play an important role in the newly created Applied Data Science PhD specialization, which will be offered in collaboration with the Cleveland Clinic. There are currently 17 full time CS faculty including 10 tenured/tenure-track faculty and approximately 300 undergraduate, and more than 600 graduate (Master’s and Ph.D) students. The Computer Science undergraduate program is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).

CS faculty are currently involved in implementing computing clusters, thanks to the recent NSF MRI grant that will help spur the research and education efforts. There are also recent efforts in the area of Quantum Computing in collaboration with Cleveland Clinic and IBM, funded in part by grants from the NSF and the non-profit organization, PIT-UN. The department also has an important role to play in the $565 million JobsOhio, Cleveland Innovation District project, towards the goal of creating more than 20,000 Ohio jobs over the next decade. In the near future, the department will also play an important role in the senior leadership vision of the CS+X degree implementation collaborating with multiple departments across Cleveland State University (CSU). The department faculty are active in pursuing research grants and in supporting summer undergraduate research activities. The department’s research strengths center on data science, AI/ML, cybersecurity, Internet of Things, and quantum computing (see https://engineering.csuohio.edu/eecs/research-13).

Excellent opportunities for collaboration and outreach beyond the department exist within the college and university wide. Regionally, there are diverse options for collaboration with a variety of other institutions that conduct research and manage natural resources, including the Cleveland Clinic and NASA Glenn Research Center, as well as with nearby universities (e.g., Case Western Reserve University and Kent State University). Salary is commensurate with qualifications and competitive with other research-intensive universities. Competitive startup funds are available.

Responsibilities include leading the undergraduate and graduate programs, improving program enrollments by engaging in and supporting outreach, recruitment, and retention; managing the departmental budget and faculty resources; providing the leadership in developing the department’s mission and strategic plan; supporting and advancing the department’s teaching, research and service activities and in the multidisciplinary research, teaching and service efforts across campus; and representing the Department both internally (within the college and university) and externally.

Minimum Qualifications:

  • Applicants must have earned a Ph.D. in Computer Science or closely related field. It is expected that the applicant will qualify for a position at the level of Full Professor with tenure.
  • Demonstrated evidence of strong record of leadership and administrative experience in professional/research/teaching/service environments;
  • Strong teaching and student mentoring record;
  • Strong record of research experience;
  • Excellent communication skills;
  • Excellent organizational and leadership skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • An outstanding record of securing external funding from different agencies and the industry as Principal Investigator (PI);
  • Administrative or leadership experience within a college or an organization at the level of chair or director;
  • Prior experience with ABET accreditation;
  • Undergraduate (or) master’s degrees in Computer Science or related field;
  • Experience in promoting and leading the diversity, equity and inclusion efforts.

Application Instructions:
Applications will only be accepted online at https://hrjobs.csuohio.edu/postings/18663  Mailed or emailed application materials will not be accepted. Review of applications will begin January 24, 2023. Applications for this position will be accepted and will continue to be reviewed until the position is filled.

List of documents applicant is required to submit:

  • Cover Letter
  • Curriculum Vitae
  • Teaching Statement
  • Research Statement
  • Unofficial Transcript (Note: the successful candidate is required to submit an official transcript before their contract can be prepared)
  • Diversity Statement
  • Names and contact information of five references

Cleveland State University is an urban campus serving a racially, culturally, and economically diverse student body. Diversity is extremely important to CSU. Explain your experience serving diverse students and how you will make a positive contribution to CSU’s inclusive community. For applicants who have not yet had the opportunity for such experience, note how your work will contribute to CSU’s commitment to diversity and mission as an urban serving university.

CSU is an urban university with more than 15,000 students located in the heart of Cleveland, OH. According to the Brookings Institution, CSU is No. 18 in the U.S. among public universities that fulfill a critical dual mission: providing upward mobility and conducting impactful research. CSU is the only Ohio university in the top tier of the Brookings list. For additional information about the city of Cleveland, see https://www.thisiscleveland.com/

Hire is contingent upon the maintenance of existing levels of funding from the State of Ohio. Offer of employment is contingent on satisfactory completion of the University’s verification of credentials (including evidence of a Ph.D.) and other information required by law and/or University policies or practices, including but not limited to a criminal background check.

It is the policy of Cleveland State University to provide equal opportunity to all qualified applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran, or genetic information.

About Cleveland State University:
Cleveland State University is a vibrant urban campus serving racially, culturally, and economically diverse student body of over 15,000 undergraduate and graduate students. CSU is committed to solving society’s greatest challenges and providing every student an innovative, rigorous and valuable educational experience. CSU believes diversity of faculty, students and professional staff is key in delivering academic excellence. The University recently launched a dynamic strategic plan CSU 2.0 aimed at having high impact in the post-pandemic world. CSU strives to be a nationally recognized and student-focused public urban research university that provides accessible, affordable and engaged learning for all. CSU is committed to academic excellence and promotes the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion within the faculty, staff, and student body.

According to Forbes magazine’s “America’s Best Employers by State” 2022 ranking, Cleveland State University is ranked the best place to work in Greater Cleveland and the second-best employer in all of Ohio. CSU is a young (est. in 1964), rapidly evolving university with a growing research profile. According to the Brookings Institution, CSU is ranked 18th in the U.S. and first in Ohio among public universities that fulfill a critical dual mission, providing upward mobility and conducting impactful research. Downtown Cleveland and our campus and Cleveland are noted for their substantial revitalization.

About Cleveland:
Located on the southern shore of Lake Erie, the Cleveland area is one of the Ohio’s largest metro. Cleveland residents enjoy a cost of living that is lower than the national average. Residents also enjoy beautiful parks, a scenic lakefront and a vibrant arts and culture scene. The city is also home to major league sports teams and a booming technology industry and economic activity. The region offers diverse recreational opportunities and cultural activities, and affordable housing in a variety of neighborhoods within a short drive or ride via bike, bus, or train. Cleveland is central Midwestern hub for art, culture, and sports that boasts a low cost of living and is well connected by road and air.

For additional information about CSU and city of Cleveland, see
https://www.csuohio.edu/about-csu
https://engagecsu.com/visit
https://www.thisiscleveland.com/
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/06/29/travel/what-to-do-36-hours-cleveland.html
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/07/travel/cleveland-cuyahoga-river-pollution.html
https://www.thisiscleveland.com/things-to-do
https://www.thisiscleveland.com/blog/august-2019/48-hours-in-cle-parks
https://www.bikecleveland.org/resources/getting-around-bike/