Assistant Professor of Intelligence Studies

The Intelligence Studies department within the Ridge College of Intelligence Studies and Applied Sciences at Mercyhurst University is looking to expand its faculty beginning in August 2021. 

The applied program welcomes applicants from a variety of backgrounds within the intelligence domain who are able to teach introductory intelligence theory and analytics classes along with those in one or more of the following: anti-money laundering, law enforcement intelligence, cyber intelligence analysis, data visualization, or research methods. Prior professional work experience in the field of intelligence is welcome, but not required.

Duties and Responsibilities

The successful candidate will be well prepared to teach multiple sections of the Introduction to Intelligence Studies (fall) and Intelligence Methods and Analysis (spring), which serve as the students’ first courses in the program and lay the theoretical and analytical groundwork for all subsequent courses. Additional courses to round out the 4+4 teaching load (24 credit hours per academic year) will include those aligned with the candidate’s interests and background and may include courses such as Law Enforcement Intelligence, Homeland Security, AML Risk Assessment, or Cyber Security Intelligence.

In addition to instruction, duties will include curriculum development, service to the profession, and participation in University and Ridge College activities, including student mentoring, development of internship and employment opportunities, and grant or contractual work with the Ridge College’s Center for Intelligence Research, Analysis, and Training. The selected candidate must demonstrate a commitment to teaching excellence, continued learning in their field, academic scholarship, and public scholarship.

The school is anticipating the fall will be fully in-person, but candidates should be prepared to switch to a hybrid approach if required. The current hybrid configuration has most faculty teaching in-person with up to 15 students (depending on social distancing configurations), whereby additional students in the class are online. Full-time faculty are expected to be on campus Monday through Friday, with a minimum of six office hours available.

Qualifications

The position requires either a terminal degree in a relevant academic field by the date of hire OR a Master’s Degree with substantial, demonstrated experience as an analyst in the field. The position prioritizes teaching and student mentoring/advising, with research and service as secondary, but no less important, priorities.

For consideration at the tenure-track assistant professor level, applicants should possess a Ph.D. degree. ABDs are encouraged to apply but hiring will be at the visiting instructor level without a tenure track option until Ph.D. is completed. Special attention will be given to those applicants with practitioner experience and the ability to manage applied analytic projects.

Application Process

Candidates should submit a letter of application (outlining interest in the position and qualifications), current CV, approach to teaching and advising, contact information for three references, and transcripts for all graduate work (copies are acceptable for application purposes). Screening of candidates will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.  Applicants must be currently eligible to work in the United States.

Submit candidate packages to:

Human Resources

Mercyhurst University

501 E. 38th Street

Erie, PA 16546

hrinfo@mercyhrust.edu

About Intelligence Studies at Mercyhurst University

Established in 1992, the Intelligence Studies major was the first non-military or IC-affiliated program in the United States. Graduates of the program hold leadership positions in government agencies, law enforcement, and private enterprises. In addition, the Center for Intelligence Research, Analysis, and Training offers opportunities for faculty and students to work on contract engagements for outside groups including IC-agencies and private industries.

The program offers both undergraduate and master-level degrees in intelligence, with an emphasis on preparing students for the types of work they will encounter upon graduation through an interdisciplinary combination of theoretical and applied learning focused on problem solving, communication, and the application of intelligence. Both degrees are working to align with the changes taking place in the world by expanding from the traditional national security, law enforcement, and business foci to include ant-money laundering, science and technology, security risk, and collection and exploitation.

The school has an established anti-money laundering minor that is open to students throughout the university and trains them to step into leadership roles within organizations that are required to follow BSA/AML regulations.

The college offers a challenging curriculum that emphasizes problem development, information collection, quantitative and qualitative analysis, and the application of technology to assist in information gathering, analysis, and communication. The importance of media and data visualization supporting communication and structured analytical techniques and managed attribution supporting collection and analysis are emphasized. Ultimately, students are prepared for leadership and managerial roles in intelligence and its applied sciences.

Current program enrollments in Erie, PA include over 300 undergraduates and 150 graduate students.

About the Ridge College of Intelligence Studies and Applied Sciences