What are the responsibilities and job description for the Program Director CSDS / ENGR position at University of Idaho?
Position Summary
The University of Idaho College of Engineering invites applications for the position of Director of the Center for Secure and Dependable Systems and faculty member in the Department of Computer Science in the College of Engineering starting August 2026. The successful candidate will have an earned PhD in Computer Science, Cybersecurity, or a closely related field and evidence of the ability to grow a cutting-edge, strong, externally funded interdisciplinary research program, and evidence of strong teaching capability. This position is open to tenured Associate or Full Professors meeting the criteria outlined in the department and college bylaws. We seek a highly accomplished, visionary leader to serve as the Director of the Center for Secure and Dependable Systems ( CSDS ). Reporting to the Dean of the College of Engineering, the Director of CSDS will provide institutional vision, strategy, and leadership in educational programming, research innovation, workforce development, outreach, special projects, and advocacy in the domain of secure and dependable systems. The Director will work closely with an industry advisory board, faculty, and staff to identify, develop, implement, and promote programming that advances the core values and strategic priorities of the university in keeping with the needs of industry. This position requires a strong commitment to administration, research, teaching, and outreach. The Center Director is responsible for interpreting university and college objectives and policies for the faculty and staff of the Center and through effective leadership, ensuring participation in formulating and carrying out the Center’s plans and policies within this framework. The Center Director is expected to expand the Center to support and grow activities in secure and dependable systems activities across campus. The candidate will be expected to teach courses in their area of expertise, mentor graduate students, and participate in the research mission of the university. They will support the teaching mission of the department at all levels and provide service to the university community. Startup funding, research support, and a reduced teaching load will be extended to help the new appointee. The University of Idaho is a land-grant research institution founded in 1889. It has a strong tradition of research and teaching at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. The CS department has expertise in cybersecurity, robotics, software engineering, embedded systems, machine learning, data science, programming languages and databases. This position will complement these existing strengths and leverage a large body of existing opportunities to collaborate across the University including our main (Moscow) and branch campuses (Idaho Falls and Coeur d’Alene).
Required Qualifications
PhD degree in Computer Science, Cybersecurity, or a closely related field. Must be tenured at the rank of Associate or Full Professor at current institution or have 10 years of work experience in industry whose work would meet the criteria for tenure and the rank of at least Associate Professor as detailed in the bylaws of the unit and college. Experience working collaboratively with others. Experience engaging, advising, and mentoring graduate and undergraduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and assistant and associate rank faculty. Experience as a teacher, academic program developer, and course content developer. Experience performing interdisciplinary and/or collaborative research in Cybersecurity including success in sharing results in publications, presentations, and/or other appropriate top venues. Experience pursuing and securing external funding for implementing and sustaining Cybersecurity-focused academic, research, and instructional programs. Authorized to work in the U.S.
Preferred Qualifications
Leadership experience in an academic environment. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Demonstrated ability to promote and maintain a productive collaborative environment for Cybersecurity research and education. Demonstrated leadership in the development, management, and implementation of NSF CyberCorps® Scholarship for Service programs. Demonstrated ability to significantly contribute to securing and maintaining relevant Cybersecurity program accreditation and denominations such as ABET and CAE . Demonstrated ability to work successfully with collaborating internal and external personnel and entities to achieve organizational goals including demonstrated success in competitive or resource constrained environments and demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with different points of view. Eligibility to hold a security clearance.
The University of Idaho College of Engineering invites applications for the position of Director of the Center for Secure and Dependable Systems and faculty member in the Department of Computer Science in the College of Engineering starting August 2026. The successful candidate will have an earned PhD in Computer Science, Cybersecurity, or a closely related field and evidence of the ability to grow a cutting-edge, strong, externally funded interdisciplinary research program, and evidence of strong teaching capability. This position is open to tenured Associate or Full Professors meeting the criteria outlined in the department and college bylaws. We seek a highly accomplished, visionary leader to serve as the Director of the Center for Secure and Dependable Systems ( CSDS ). Reporting to the Dean of the College of Engineering, the Director of CSDS will provide institutional vision, strategy, and leadership in educational programming, research innovation, workforce development, outreach, special projects, and advocacy in the domain of secure and dependable systems. The Director will work closely with an industry advisory board, faculty, and staff to identify, develop, implement, and promote programming that advances the core values and strategic priorities of the university in keeping with the needs of industry. This position requires a strong commitment to administration, research, teaching, and outreach. The Center Director is responsible for interpreting university and college objectives and policies for the faculty and staff of the Center and through effective leadership, ensuring participation in formulating and carrying out the Center’s plans and policies within this framework. The Center Director is expected to expand the Center to support and grow activities in secure and dependable systems activities across campus. The candidate will be expected to teach courses in their area of expertise, mentor graduate students, and participate in the research mission of the university. They will support the teaching mission of the department at all levels and provide service to the university community. Startup funding, research support, and a reduced teaching load will be extended to help the new appointee. The University of Idaho is a land-grant research institution founded in 1889. It has a strong tradition of research and teaching at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. The CS department has expertise in cybersecurity, robotics, software engineering, embedded systems, machine learning, data science, programming languages and databases. This position will complement these existing strengths and leverage a large body of existing opportunities to collaborate across the University including our main (Moscow) and branch campuses (Idaho Falls and Coeur d’Alene).
Required Qualifications
PhD degree in Computer Science, Cybersecurity, or a closely related field. Must be tenured at the rank of Associate or Full Professor at current institution or have 10 years of work experience in industry whose work would meet the criteria for tenure and the rank of at least Associate Professor as detailed in the bylaws of the unit and college. Experience working collaboratively with others. Experience engaging, advising, and mentoring graduate and undergraduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and assistant and associate rank faculty. Experience as a teacher, academic program developer, and course content developer. Experience performing interdisciplinary and/or collaborative research in Cybersecurity including success in sharing results in publications, presentations, and/or other appropriate top venues. Experience pursuing and securing external funding for implementing and sustaining Cybersecurity-focused academic, research, and instructional programs. Authorized to work in the U.S.
Preferred Qualifications
Leadership experience in an academic environment. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Demonstrated ability to promote and maintain a productive collaborative environment for Cybersecurity research and education. Demonstrated leadership in the development, management, and implementation of NSF CyberCorps® Scholarship for Service programs. Demonstrated ability to significantly contribute to securing and maintaining relevant Cybersecurity program accreditation and denominations such as ABET and CAE . Demonstrated ability to work successfully with collaborating internal and external personnel and entities to achieve organizational goals including demonstrated success in competitive or resource constrained environments and demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with different points of view. Eligibility to hold a security clearance.
