Position Function:
The Department Head is under the administrative supervision of the Dean of the Bagley College of Engineering and is responsible for the overall administration of the department.
Salary Grade: UC
For salary grade UC, these positions are "Unclassified" and salary ranges are determined by the hiring department.
Department Profile:
Part of the Bagley College of Engineering, the Department of Computer Science and Engineering serves approximately 1,000 undergraduate and graduate students. The department offers undergraduate programs in Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Software Engineering, and jointly administers a program in Computer Engineering with the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. The Computer Science program offers concentrations in Artificial Intelligence, Systems, Human and Visual Computing, Computational Science, and General. In addition, the department offers a B.A.S. in Cybersecurity and three minors: Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science, and Software Engineering. An accelerated B.S./M.S. program allows students to complete a B.S. in Computer Science or Software Engineering along with an M.S. in Computer Science in four academic years plus one calendar year. At the graduate level, the department offers M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Computer Science as well as M.S. degrees in Cyber Security and Operations, Artificial Intelligence, and Data Science. Faculty also direct graduate students in Computational Engineering. Certificates in Information Assurance, Cyber Operations, and Computational Biology are also available.
The department includes 28 faculty members and 7 staff members. In fiscal year 2024, research expenditures totaled over $4.6 million. Core research areas include cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, computational science, visualization and graphics, bioinformatics, parallel and distributed computing, software engineering, human-robot interaction, augmented and virtual reality, and computer science education. Faculty in the department are active in many research centers, such as the Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems, the Center for Cyber Innovation, the Center for Computational Science, and the Institute for Genomics, Biocomputing & Biotechnology.
Mississippi State University, as an R1 Research University, has been designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Operations, Cyber Defense Research, and Cyber Defense Education by the National Security Agency.
Anticipated Appointment Date:
January 1, 2026
Tenure Track Status:
Tenured
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
1. Provides vision and leadership for nationally recognized computing education and research programs.
2. Provides leadership and mentoring to all faculty, staff, and students.
3. Responsible for overall administration of faculty and support staff activities.
4. Responsible for recruitment of a broad community of students, faculty, and support staff.
5. Maintains and participates actively in ongoing departmental research program and seeks new areas of research funding.
6. Conducts research leading to scholarly publications.
7. Participates in fundraising activities, including solicitation of gifts for scholarships, professorships, chairs, etc.
8. Works with the Dean of the Bagley College of Engineering and university administration in establishing goals and objectives for the college, department, and in meeting the university mission of teaching, research, and service.
9. Serves as a liaison with faculty, administrators, alumni, students, and community.
10. Academic responsibilities include planning, reviewing, and updating the curriculum, academic programs, and course content.
11. Personnel responsibilities include promotion and tenure, performance evaluation, and workload management.
12. Fiscal responsibilities include preparing and overseeing departmental budget and other budgets for research funding.
Minimum Qualifications:
Applicants must have a Ph.D. in computer science, software engineering, computer engineering, or a closely related field. The successful candidate must have earned national recognition by a distinguished record of accomplishments in computer-science education and research. Demonstrated administrative experience is desired, as is teaching experience at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.
The successful candidate must qualify for the rank of professor with tenure.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
The successful Head will provide:
1. Vision and leadership for nationally recognized computing education and research programs,
2. Exceptional academic and administrative skills,
3. A strong commitment to faculty recruitment and development.
Working Conditions and Physical Effort
Work is normally performed in a typical interior/office work environment.
No or very limited exposure to physical risk.
Limited physical effort required.
Vision requirements: Ability to see information in print and/or electronically.
Instructions for Applying:
Applicants must apply online at www.msujobs.msstate.edu by submitting a cover letter outlining your experience and vision for this position, a curriculum vitae, and the names and contact information of at least three professional references.
Screening of applicants will begin November 1, 2025 and will continue until the position is filled. Inquiries and nominations should be directed to Dr. Bill Elmore, Director of the Swalm School of Chemical Engineering and Search Committee Chair (elmore@che.msstate.edu).
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:
Mississippi State University is an equal opportunity institution. Discrimination is prohibited in university employment, programs or activities based on race, color, ethnicity, sex, pregnancy, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, or any other status to the extent protected by applicable law. Questions about equal opportunity programs or compliance should be directed to the Office of Civil Rights Compliance, 231 Famous Maroon Band Street, P.O. 6044, Mississippi State, MS 39762, (662) 325-5839.
What do I do if I need an accommodation?
In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act (ADA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position with Mississippi State University, please contact the Department of Human Resources Management at tel: (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu.
If you have any questions regarding this policy, contact the Department of Human Resources Management at (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu. Upon request, sections of this job listing are available in large print, and readers are available to assist the visually impaired.
