Faculty Hiring!

Title: Assistant Professor, Computer Science

Area: School of Engineering & Applied Science

Department: Computer Science

Telework Availability: On-campus Position

Employee Classification: Tenure Track Faculty (Full-time)

Appointment Percentage: 100

Months per year: 9

Salary Range: The budgeted annual salary that the University reasonably expects to offer for this position is $97,092. The internal salary range is $97,092 - $103,565.

Review Date: 10/1/2025

Is this position eligible for relocation reimbursement or a signing bonus?: Yes

Job Purpose:

The Computer Science Department at Gonzaga University in Spokane, WA invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track Assistant Professor position beginning Fall 2026. We invite skilled teacher-scholars committed to inclusive, equity-minded teaching with a demonstrated record of scholarship to join our teaching-centered and research-active department, which is committed to undergraduate education. We are looking for a colleague with expertise broadly in cybersecurity or software engineering, though applicants with significant industry experience, expertise in another area of computer science, and a willingness to teach software engineering are also encouraged to apply.

We seek candidates with a demonstrated commitment to excellent undergraduate teaching that promotes welcoming and diverse learning environments. Immediate teaching responsibilities (i.e., within the first two years) would include courses in programming, data structures, computer organization, software development, or cybersecurity. There will also be opportunities to teach upper-division courses in the candidate’s area of interest and advise students in our senior design sequence. Since the Department offers a full range of computer science courses, there are other teaching possibilities, like networks, AI/machine learning, and programming language design and implementation, depending on the interest and expertise of the faculty member, along with the needs of the department.

The Department of Computer Science has nine full-time faculty members and around 200 majors. The Department offers an ABET-accredited B.S. degree in Computer Science, a B.A. degree in Computer Science, a B.S. degree in Data Science (established Fall 2024), a B.S. degree in Cybersecurity (starting in Fall 2025), and an M.S. degree in Data Science (starting in Fall 2025). The Department is also considering offering an M.S. degree in Cybersecurity. Faculty in our department often mentor undergraduate students in research experiences during the school year. Internal funding opportunities are also available to support undergraduate student-faculty research, both during the academic year as well as during summer sessions. In addition, Gonzaga’s Center for Teaching and Advising provides regular faculty development and education opportunities, including a New Faculty Learning Community program to help welcome and support new faculty throughout their first year at Gonzaga.

With a mission rooted in the Jesuit tradition (see: https://www.gonzaga.edu/about/our-mission-jesuit-values), Gonzaga seeks to educate students to become compassionate leaders who engage with the world, seek justice, and contribute to the common good. As a campus community, we prioritize inclusive excellence and increasing campus diversity, particularly in supporting underrepresented students in higher education. The Department of Computer Science at Gonzaga University seeks candidates who align with this mission and requests applicants to address that alignment in their cover letter.

Gonzaga University, ranked among top 100 national universities by U.S. News and World Report, is located on the banks of the Spokane River, a short walk from downtown Spokane. The University is minutes from two medical schools, offering rich opportunities for collaboration, and the tech centers of Seattle and San Francisco are easily reachable by short and frequent flights. Spokane is near the Selkirk Mountains of Eastern Washington, Idaho, and British Columbia. The city has walkable neighborhoods, abundant parks, a downtown shopping district, and plentiful urban amenities. With mountains, lakes, and rivers in every direction, Spokane is an ideal base for outdoor recreation.

For more information on our mission, please visit: https://www.gonzaga.edu/about/our-mission-jesuit-values/mission-statement

Essential Functions:

• Teaching—Tenured/tenure-track faculty members teach nine computer science course credits each semester during the academic year in the areas of programming, data structures, computer organization, software development, or cybersecurity. There will also be opportunities to teach upper-division courses in the candidate’s area of interest. As part of our commitment to successful early careers, new faculty receive a 3-credit teaching reduction in each of their first two years. Summer teaching opportunities may be available but are neither required nor guaranteed.
• Scholarly/Creative Work—Tenured/Tenure-track faculty members are expected to (1) stay current with their fields; (2) conduct sustained research that leads to publication in peer-reviewed academic journals and conference papers; (3) actively participate in departmental and School of Engineering and Applied Science professional activities. 
• Academic Citizenship & Professional Service—The successful candidate will be a member of the faculty of the School of Engineering and Applied Science, with full voting privileges in the University faculty assembly and the School. As such, the person who assumes this position is expected to be a contributing member to the Computer Science Department, School, and University. Regular attendance at all University, School and Departmental meetings is expected. In addition, serving on related Department, School and University committees is expected. 
• Advising—After their first year at Gonzaga, all faculty members advise students with respect to curriculum and careers. 

Minimum Qualifications:

A Ph.D. in computer science, cybersecurity, software engineering, or related field, completed by July 15, 2026.

Evidence of teaching as a TA or instructor, mentorship activities, and/or course development at the undergraduate level.

Evidence of ongoing scholarly/research activity in cybersecurity, software engineering, or other computer science field related to applicant expertise.

Demonstrated ability to effectively design and deliver technical content to undergraduate students in a way that promotes engagement and supports learning.

Preferred Qualifications:

Evidence of engaging teaching practices that include introductory or advanced courses for computer science undergraduate students.

Demonstrated ability to develop and teach new high-quality courses in one or more areas including cybersecurity or software engineering.

Demonstrated ability to involve undergraduate students in research or advise undergraduate students in capstone or senior design projects.

Postdoctoral research or relevant involvement working in the software industry.

Educational Requirement:

Terminal Degree

Physical & On-Campus Requirements:

In-Office Presence - Ability to work on-site in typical office setting and participate in in-person meetings with colleagues: 5 days/week

Standing/Sitting - Ability to remain in a stationary position for a prolonged period: Daily (>75% of time)

Walking - Ability to move about on foot to accomplish tasks: Daily (>75% of time)

Lifting/Carrying - Ability to move or transport objects up to a specified weight: Rarely (1%-49% of time)

Attention to Detail - Ability to focus on detailed tasks for extended periods: Daily (>75% of time)

Problem-Solving - Ability to identify and resolve issues effectively: Daily (>75% of time)

Required Application Materials: To apply, please visit our website at: https://employment.gonzaga.edu/jobs/search. Applicants must complete an online application and submit the following:

1. A detailed curriculum vitae, addressing:
a. Education and work experience, including graduate and undergraduate degrees and graduate dates (or anticipated dates if the PhD degree has not yet been completed)
b. Courses taught as the instructor of record or as a TA
c. Courses designed by the applicant or that the applicant helped design
d. Conference papers, conference presentations, and/or journal papers, including publication venues and the date of publication

2. A teaching statement, no more than 2 pages in length, addressing:
a. Experience teaching and mentoring undergraduates
b. Techniques the applicant would use to structure a course and to engage students using inclusive teaching practices
c. Reflective discussion of approaches used to improve teaching or mentorship
Applicants are encouraged to examine the department’s current course offerings (https://www.gonzaga.edu/catalogs/current/undergraduate/school-of-engineering-and-applied-science/computer-science--and--computer-science-and-computational-thinking/computer-science)

3. A research statement, no more than 2 pages in length, providing
a. An overview of the applicant’s research and how it might be developed into a successful research program at Gonzaga
b. Possible research projects the applicant would pursue and how these projects might include Gonzaga students

4. A cover letter, not more than a page in length, that summarizes the areas above and describes the candidate’s understanding of and commitment to the University’s Mission (https://www.gonzaga.edu/about/our-mission-jesuit-values)

Names and contact information for at least three (3) professional references will be collected from advancing candidates during the interview process. References will be sent a link to upload a confidential letter of recommendation.

Please email the search committee chair, Dr. Paul De Palma (depalma@gonzaga.edu) with questions. For assistance with the online application, please call 509-313-5996.

The School of Engineering and Applied Science seeks to recruit and retain faculty who can offer our students a range of expertise, perspectives, and teaching approaches.

Applications will be reviewed on 10/1/2025. This position is open until filled.