Professor & Chair, Department of Computer Science

University of Maryland, College of Computer, Math, and Natural Sciences, United States

Updated: 3 months ago
Location: College Park, MARYLAND
Deadline: 12 Mar 2024

The Department of Computer Science at the University of Maryland, College Park, invites applications and nominations for Chair of the Department. The Department is an academic unit of the College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences, and the Chair reports to the Dean of the College.

The undergraduate computer science program at the University of Maryland has ranked in the top 10 among public institutions every year for the past four years according to U.S. News & World Report. The graduate computer science program ranks 10th in the nation among public institutions and 17th overall according to U.S. News & World Report with four specialties ranking in the top 20 overall (artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, game development and software engineering).

Established in 1973, the Department has 65 tenured and tenure-track faculty members and 450 graduate students. The Department has seen a substantial increase in computer science majors. Enrollment has grown from 880 undergraduates in 2011 to over 3800 today. Computer Science is now the highest enrollment undergraduate major on campus. Strong in interdisciplinary research, the Department has close ties to the University of Maryland Institute for Advanced Computer Studies (UMIACS) and its many Centers including Computer Vision, Cybersecurity, Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, Human Computer Interaction, Quantum Information, and Computational Linguistics. The Department, combined with UMIACS, has annual research expenditures of more than $30 million.

The Department Chair will lead a thriving unit at a time of great opportunity. The university administration is committed to significantly increasing the number of tenure-track faculty in response to the high demand from students. In addition, the Department is housed in the new 215,000 square foot Brendan Iribe Center for Computer Science and Innovation , which opened in 2018. The Center includes common spaces designed to inspire ideas and collaborations on new ventures as well as eight classrooms with interactive technology to facilitate collaborative group work.

The Department holds 16 endowed chairs and professorships, including the Elizabeth Iribe Chair for Innovation , which is held by the Chair of the Department of Computer Science and is currently valued at over $2 million. 

The Department maintains close relationships with dozens of companies through its Corporate Partners in Computing program and believes strongly in fostering awareness and passion for computer science among K-12 students. The Department supports professional training programs on Bioinformatics, Data Science and Machine Learning in collaboration with the UMD Science Academy .

The Department Chair is expected to:

  • Lead the Department in achieving its vision for growth and development and move the Department to the next level of excellence.
  • Serve as the chief representative and advocate for the unit and practice effective shared governance through regular consultation with internal and external stakeholders.
  • Enhance the Department’s national research profile and strengthen partnerships with national laboratories and institutes, government agencies and private industry.
  • Establish interdisciplinary programs in partnership with other units and expand professional training programs through the UMD Science Academy .
  • Cultivate excellence in outstanding research, teaching and service among department faculty.
  • Recruit outstanding new faculty and staff members, make recommendations with respect to tenure and promotions, and ensure equity in hiring and personnel decisions.
  • Advance excellence through promoting equity, diversity and inclusion.
  • Engage with and attain support for the Department from alumni, friends, corporate partners and others.
  • Plan and administer the Department's budget, in consultation with the Dean and the Department Council.

    • The successful candidate will have a Ph.D. in computer science or a related field and be qualified for a full professor position in the Department of Computer Science. We are seeking candidates with outstanding records in research and education, along with administrative skills and vision to lead the unit.

    Applications will be reviewed beginning March 1, 2024, and will continue to be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Materials, including a cover letter, curriculum vitae, a one- to two-page vision statement; and the names, addresses, and emails of four references external to the University of Maryland, should be submitted via eTerp, the University’s electronic application system, at this link:

    https://ejobs.umd.edu/postings/115855

    Nominations may be submitted by email to the Search Committee Chair, Dr. Konstantina Trivisa, Professor, Department of Mathematics and Director of the Institute for Physical Science and Technology, University of Maryland, at [email protected] .  

    The University of Maryland, College Park, an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action; all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, age, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, creed, marital status, political affiliation, personal appearance, or on the basis of rights secured by the First Amendment, in all aspects of employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.


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