Assistant Professor of Computer Science

The Computer Science Department at Western Washington University (WWU) invites applications for two tenure-track positions beginning September 2022 at the rank of Assistant Professor. All areas of specialization will be considered, but for one of the two positions the department is particularly seeking candidates with research and teaching interests in Computer Systems or Cyber Security.

Required Qualifications

• Doctorate degree at time of application OR ABD at time of application in Computer Science or a closely related field. If ABD, all degree requirements must be completed by June 15th of the first year of employment.
• Demonstrated ability to teach existing courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels 
• Ability to develop a research program that involves undergraduate and/or graduate students  
• Commitment to engage in curricular development at the graduate and undergraduate levels 
• Contribute to the department’s mission to support and promote diversity, equity, and inclusion among all students
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills. 

Preferred Qualifications

• For one of the two positions, scholarly interest and expertise in Computer Systems or Cybersecurity.
• Commitment to seek and secure external funding. 
• Interest in mentoring senior capstone projects as part of the standard teaching load.

Salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications.  This position is represented by the United Faculty of Western Washington (UFWW).

About the University

Western Washington University of about 15,000 students is recognized by US News & World Report as a top public masters-granting institution in the Pacific Northwest. The Chronicle of Higher Education names Western as one of the best colleges in the nation to work for, citing teaching environment, and tenure clarity and process, as noteworthy.  

Western Washington University is located in scenic Bellingham, a city of about 100,000 residents nestled between the mountains of the North Cascades and the waters of Puget Sound. Recreational opportunities abound nearby including biking, skiing, hiking, sailing, and mountaineering. Bellingham is 60 miles south of Vancouver, British Columbia, and 90 miles north of Seattle, Washington, each with a lively cosmopolitan atmosphere and home to many leading technology companies.

About the Department

The department offers an ABET-accredited B.S. in computer science, an M.S. degree in computer science, a Data Science B.S. degree, a Cybersecurity B.S., a CS Education B.A. degree, as well as multiple certificate programs. The department has a strong history of research collaboration with other disciplines across campus such as Linguistics, Biology, Chemistry and Environmental Sciences, as well as collaborations with regional tech partners, including the Pacific Northwest National Laboratories (PNNL).  Faculty-mentored projects are a hallmark of CS at WWU, which the department and college foster by funding student travel to conferences to present student and faculty co-authored publications.

The Computer Science Department is committed to cultivating equitable and diverse learning and work environments to fulfill Western’s strategic goals of Advancing Inclusive Success, Increasing Washington Impact, and Enhancing Academic Excellence. The department’s on-going efforts are evidenced by faculty involvement in workshops on inclusive pedagogy and educational research on student success, the CS/M Scholars Program that supports women and underrepresented minorities and is funded by a $1,000,000 NSF grant, and continued participation in the National Center for Women & Information Technology's (NCWIT) multiple efforts to create system change in CS.

As part of a public-private funding partnership between the Western Foundation and the Washington State legislature, more than $65 million has been appropriated for a new 50,000 square foot state-of-the-art building. Kaiser-Borsari Hall will open in 2024 and will house new student-centered learning labs, student breakout rooms, teaching classrooms, new faculty offices, and a showcase robotics labs. This will be in addition to the existing Computer Science departmental spaces in the current Communications Facility, which will be connected to the Kaiser-Borsari building via a skybridge.

Visit our department web page at http://www.cs.wwu.edu for more information.

How to Apply

Application materials must be submitted via WWU’s PageUp system at https://hr.wwu.edu/careers?job=498780" href="https://hr.wwu.edu/careers?job=498780">https://hr.wwu.edu/careers?job=498780 and include the following: 

1. Cover letter 
2. Curriculum vitae 
3. Statement on teaching, including experience and future plans 
4. Statement on research, including how your research could involve master’s students and advanced undergraduates 
5. Statement of diversity, and how your experiences (academic or non-academic) have prepared you to effectively teach an increasingly diverse student population, and how you would promote accessibility, diversity, equity, and inclusion in and outside your classroom 
6. Names and contact information for three professional references (references of finalists will be contacted to upload their confidential recommendation letters directly into Western’s PageUp system) 

Inquiries may be directed to the department and search committee chair, Dr. Filip Jagodzinski, at filip.jagodzinski@wwu.edu. 

Applications submitted by October 3, 2021 are assured to get priority consideration, although thorough review of applications will continue until the positions are filled.

Western Washington University's Employment Practices

Western Washington University (WWU) is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer committed to assembling a diverse, broadly trained faculty and staff. Women, minorities, people with disabilities and veterans are strongly encouraged to apply. In compliance with applicable laws and in furtherance of its commitment to fostering an environment that welcomes and embraces diversity, WWU does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy and parenting status), disability, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status or genetic information in its programs or activities, including employment, admissions, and educational programs. See WWU’s Policy on Ensuring Equal Opportunity and Prohibiting Discrimination and Retaliation. Inquiries may be directed to the Vice Provost for Equal Opportunity and Employment Diversity, Title IX and ADA Coordinator, Equal Opportunity Office, Western Washington University, Old Main 345 (MS 9021), 516 High Street, Bellingham, WA 98225; 360.650.3307 (voice) or 711 (Washington Relay); eoo@wwu.edu

Annual Security and Fire Safety Report: This report is provided pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act ("The Clery Act"). It includes statistics for the previous three calendar years concerning reported crimes that occurred on Western's campus; in certain off-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by Western; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus. The report also includes institutional policies concerning campus security, such as policies concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. You can obtain a copy of this report in printed or alternate formats by contacting the Office of the Vice President for Enrollment and Student Services at vpsa.office@wwu.edu. The report can be found at: Annual Security and Fire Safety Report.

WWU is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. To request this document in an alternate format or to request an accommodation, please contact Human Resources Disability Services, 360.650.3774 or 711 (Washington Relay).

All new employees must comply with the immunization policy and show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Service before beginning work at WWU. A thorough background check will be conducted on all new hires.