Assistant Professor of Computer Science

The College of Engineering at the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) and the Alaska Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) invite applications for a tenure track Assistant Professor of Computer Science to begin August 2025. 

This position is funded partially by the Alaska NSF EPSCoR RII-track 1 research award Interface of Change (IoC) (https://www.alaska.edu/epscor/projects/interface-of-change/index.php). This five-year project is focused on connecting climate induced changes of terrestrial fluxes on coastal marine species and communities in the Gulf of Alaska. We are interested in candidates capable of teaching core courses in computing, data science, and cyberinfrastructure. The successful candidate will collaborate with researchers across disciplines to support IoC goals in addition to establishing a relevant research program in Alaska. For the first three years the expected workload per semester is to teach one three-credit course (20-25%), conduct research (70%) and perform service (5-10%).

The Department of Computer Science & Engineering serves over 300 majors and offers three degrees: A Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science, a Bachelor of Science in Computer Systems Engineering accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, and a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET. A proposed Master of Science in Data Science & Engineering is under review.

The Anchorage campus offers a full complement of programs and courses, including high-demand fields such as engineering, health, business, and education, as well as in the liberal arts, and sciences. UAA career and technical education programs are closely aligned with Alaska’s core industries, such as engineering, aviation, and oil and gas. In particular, this position will help meet rising demand for Computer Science and Computer Systems Engineering graduates.

UAA is the largest of the three main campuses of the University of Alaska system, serving nearly 20,000 students. Anchorage, the largest city in Alaska, is a vibrant community with an ethnically diverse population of 290,000, offering a lively intellectual and cultural life, including opera, symphony, theater, arts events, and diverse fine dining options. Set between the unmatched beauty of the snow-capped peaks of the Chugach Mountains and the ocean waters of Cook Inlet, the city offers ready access to state and national forests and parks, year-round outdoor recreational activities, and a strong sense of community that makes it attractive for growing families. Anchorage is also the hub for business and industry in Alaska, and leaders of those communities actively seek to employ UAA graduates.

We are seeking a candidate with teaching and research expertise and experience commensurate with a tenure-track Assistant Professor of Computer Science in a university setting. A successful candidate must have the ability to work collaboratively on research and academic projects across disciplines with other faculty. Graduate-level training in computer science, computer engineering or related fields is required, as well as excellent writing and oral skills, and an ability to advise and work with diverse individuals and groups. An ability to be a spokesperson for the program and the university, and the capacity to acquire funding from external sources and publish in peer-reviewed outlets in the field are desired.

Successful candidates must have demonstrated their ability to teach core computer engineering or computer science courses and upper-level undergraduate courses in one or more areas of specialization. Course development and curriculum development experience is preferred. Experience or interest in teaching Data Science, Databases, Operating Systems, Software Engineering, and/or Computer Organization & Architecture is desired. Proficiency in several modern programming languages is required.

Minimum Qualifications:

Doctorate in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a closely related field is required. Candidates with all but dissertation (ABD) at time of application may be considered with the requirement that the Ph.D. must be awarded before August 2025.

Successful candidates must provide official transcripts documenting academic credentials required for the position as a condition of employment.

Qualifying earned degrees must be conferred either by institutions of higher education which are accredited by one of the six U.S. regional accrediting associations or by an equivalent international institution of higher education as determined by UAA based on a review by a foreign educational credential evaluation service recognized by UAA.

Position Details:

This position is located on UAA's main campus in Anchorage, AK. This is a full-time, 9-month base, tenure-track faculty position complete with both a competitive salary and full employee benefits package. UA provides a generous compensation package that includes retirement options, faculty time off (FTO), 12 paid holidays per year, tuition waivers for employees and family members, and affordable medical, dental and vision care coverage. 

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Please attach the following required documents: 

1. Cover Letter;
2. Curriculum vitae that includes the names, positions, email addresses, and telephone numbers of at least three professional references;
3. Statement of proposed research including planned student involvement;  
4. Statement of teaching philosophy and list of teaching interest areas;  
5. Copies of all post-secondary transcripts.

Please attach the following recommended documents:

1. Supporting evidence of effective research, e.g. one or two exemplary publications or papers;  
2. Other supporting documents that demonstrate effective teaching (e.g., evaluations, course syllabus, teaching materials).  

Official transcripts for all degrees are required at time of employment offer.

Applications will be accepted for review on January 7, 2025. To ensure consideration, please apply by 11:55 PM, Alaska Standard Time, on January 6, 2025.

This position is represented by United Academics-AAUP/AFT (UNAC). https://unitedacademicsak.org/

The University of Alaska (UA) is responsible for providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities throughout the applicant screening process. If you need assistance in completing this application or during any phase of the interview process, please contact UA Human Resources by phone at 907-450-8200.

UA is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer, educational institution and provider and prohibits illegal discrimination against any individual: www.alaska.edu/nondiscrimination.

The successful applicant is required to complete a background check. Any offer of employment is contingent on the background check.

Your application for employment with the University of Alaska is subject to public disclosure under the Alaska Public Records Act.

If you have any questions regarding this position, please contact Frank Witmer, Chair, Department of Computer Science & Engineering, at fwitmer@alaska.edu.

All employees at the University of Alaska are expected to uphold the highest standards of ethics and professionalism when conducting or engaged in university business.

*Each university within the University of Alaska system publishes an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report which contains information regarding campus safety and security including topics such as: campus law enforcement authority; crime reporting policies; campus alerts (Timely Warnings and Emergency Notifications); fire safety policies and procedures; programs to prevent dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking; the procedures the University will follow when one of these crimes is reported; and other matters of importance related to security on campus. The report also contains information about crime statistics for the three most recent calendar years concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus; in On-Campus Student Housing Facilities; in Noncampus buildings or property owned or controlled by the University or a recognized student organization; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus.  The report also contains fire statistics for any fires occurring in an On-Campus Student Housing Facility during the three most recent calendar years.  

Access to the reports is available at:

UAA: (Addresses Anchorage campus, Aviation Technology Complex, JBER - Elmendorf Extension, JBER - Richardson Extension, Kenai Peninsula College - Kachemak Bay campus, Kenai Peninsula College - Kenai River campus, Kodiak College, Kodiak High School Extension, Matanuska-Susitna College, Prince William Sound College, and Prince William Sound College - Cordova Extension) Online: https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/students/safety. Request a paper copy in person: UAA Police Department Office at Room 114 of Eugene Short Hall on the Anchorage campus / UAA Dean of Students Office at Room 122 of Rasmuson Hall on the Anchorage campus. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-786-1120 or police@uaa.alaska.edu / 907-786-1214 or uaa_deanofstudents@alaska.edu. 

UAF: (Addresses Fairbanks Campus, Bristol Bay Campus, Chukchi Campus, Community and Technical College, Kasitsna Bay Campus, Seward Marine Center, Tok Campus, Kuskokwim Campus, and Northwest Campus) Online: https://www.uaf.edu/orca/files/ASFSR.pdf. Request a paper copy in person: UAF Office of Rights, Compliance and Accountability on the 3rd Floor of Constitution Hall. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-474-7300 or uaf-orca@alaska.edu.

UAS: (Addresses the Juneau Auke Bay Campus, Juneau Technical Education Center, Sitka Campus, & Ketchikan Campus) Online: https://uas.alaska.edu/equity-and-compliance/docs/clery/UAS_ASFSR.pdf. Request a paper copy in person: Hendrickson Building, Suite 202 on the Juneau campus. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-796-6371 or emailing uas.clery@alaska.edu.