Academic Career & Executive Search is pleased to assist Fitchburg State University in its search for Assistant Professor, Tenure-Track, Computer Science.

Fitchburg State University, a public institution boasting excellence in teaching and learning in current and emergent fields, a commitment to transforming lives through education, and a dedication to public service, seeks 2 tenure-track positions at the Assistant Professor rank starting in Fall 2024. With a strong master’s program and ample opportunity to teach at the graduate level, the Computer Science Department at Fitchburg State University hopes to find computer scientists dedicated to teaching excellence with demonstrated interest in and the ability to teach a variety of undergraduate courses in Computer Science (CS) and Computer Information Systems (CIS) programs and graduate level computer science courses offered by the department. The standard teaching load is four regular courses (12 credits) each semester and class sizes are limited to approximately 20 students. 

A successful candidate for tenure-track position will also be required to assist the department in promoting the CS/CIS and MS programs as well as contribute to student advising, curricular development and ongoing ABET accreditation for the department’s programs.

This position reports to the Department Chair of Computer Science. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Teaching load: four courses per semester (12 credit-hours) and preparation for classroom and/or laboratory instruction. 
• Instructional responsibilities can include teaching various courses in the department.  These may include theory, hardware, software, databases, networking, cybersecurity etc. at graduate and undergraduate level. Candidates will also have the opportunity to teach in the graduate program as part of their regular teaching load or as a separate contract. In addition, the tenure-track positions require the following: 
• Serve as an academic advisor for undergraduate students and hold office hours every week. 
• Participate in curricula review and development, program reviews and student outcomes assessments. 
• Participate and contribute in recruitment activities for undergraduate and graduate CS/CIS and MS programs conducted on campus. 
• Participate in professional workshops and conferences as needed. 
• Attend and participate in university functions (commencement, convocation) and various committee and departmental meetings. 
• Continuing scholarship and professional activities, which may include contribution to the content of the discipline, participation in or contribution to professional organizations and societies, public service and contributions to the professional growth and development of the university community. 
• Opportunities to teach for additional compensation during summer and winter terms, and online and evening courses during regular semesters in the department exist.  

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• A doctoral degree (by summer of 2024) in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a closely related field. 
• Commitment to excellence in teaching; and evidence of scholarly and professional activities.
• Research focus should be in an area of computer science or related field that adds breadth to the department’s programs.   
• Ability to teach a variety of core and elective courses offered in the department is required. 
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills. 
• Commitment to excellence in teaching, demonstrated teaching experience appropriate to the level of appointment, and evidence of scholarly activity. 
• Ability to work effectively with a diverse faculty and student body. 
• Must be able to satisfactorily pass a check conducted by the Criminal History Systems Board (CORI) as well as a completed background check satisfactory to the university. 
• Ability to integrate appropriate instructional technology and innovative teaching techniques is highly desirable.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS 

• Preference given to applicants who diversify the expertise of the department.
• Preference will be given to candidates who can develop/teach courses in the graduate program. 

About the Institution

Fitchburg State University is a public institution located in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, dedicated to integrating high-quality professional programs with strong liberal arts and sciences studies. Founded in 1894, Fitchburg State now has more than 30 undergraduate programs and 22 master's degree programs, and 6,000 full and part-time students. Offering undergraduate and graduate programs with an emphasis on career-orientated learning that is firmly grounded in the liberal arts, as well as selected majors in the traditional arts and sciences, Fitchburg State features small class sizes, hands-on professional education, and an accessible faculty dedicated to teaching. A compact campus provides the bonus of a secure community where social and cultural activities abound and students assume a wide range of leadership roles in the community, student government and social and artistic affairs.

An emphasis on faculty mentoring and internships has resulted in an extremely high success rate in placing students in careers or graduate school. Fitchburg State supports both traditional and nontraditional students. Full-time and part-time enrollment opportunities exist during the day and the evening, and at the graduate and undergraduate level.

The undergraduate day population is comprised of both commuter and residential students representing the entire state of Massachusetts and all of New England. The graduate and continuing education population includes the whole spectrum of learners — from people desiring to expand their career opportunities by pursuing graduate or undergraduate certificates and degrees, to a typical university student home for the summer taking a course or two to get ahead. The School of Graduate, Online and Continuing Education offers diverse perspectives for part-time and full-time advanced study in a variety of professional and academic fields.

Fitchburg State University is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education, the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, the International Accreditation Council for Business Education, the Council for Standards in Human Service Education, and the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education. The university’s programs are also approved by the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education, the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification, the Interstate Certification Compact of Educational Personnel, the State Board of Registration in Nursing, the Board of Higher Education, the Commonwealth Honors Program and ABET.
 
Living in the Area

Fitchburg, Massachusetts sits within Worcester County providing residents endless entertainment and professional options. With a population of 42,000, Fitchburg is perfect for those looking for a city with a small-town feel. Fitchburg is a mid-sized city near the Connecticut/Rhode Island and New Hampshire border. The city has a strong pro-business climate and is strategically located to promote opportunities. From exploring Lawrence Swamp Wildlife Management Area to swimming at Merriam-Gillette Pool, Fitchburg offers recreation and local food spots like La Casita Taqueria & Pupusas Restaurant. 

Bordering Worcester, a vibrant and diverse community nicknamed The Heart of the Commonwealth, Worcester, Massachusetts, is located approximately an hour's drive west of Boston. More than 940,000 people call the rolling hills of this metro area home.

With its affordable housing, green parks, quality hospitals and proximity to a dozen highly esteemed colleges and universities, there is a unique vitality to this metro area. Worcester provides an excellent cultural life, including restaurants, concert and theater venues, and the Worcester Art Museum. You may hear locals refer to their home as "Wormtown," a nod to Worcester's underground music scene.

Like most large metro areas, Worcester's diverse neighborhoods yield different experiences. Downtown attracts students and other young people, while families tend to gravitate toward the numerous parks, lakes and playgrounds found in the suburbs. Each neighborhood has its own personality as well, from the Italian restaurants that line Shrewsbury Street to the historic Victorian and Queen Anne homes in the West Side area. 

To Apply 

Please apply through the application link and do not email applications. 

Applications will be reviewed as they are received and should include a cover letter and curriculum vitae. Ideally cover letters should not exceed two pages. All applications are treated confidentially.

Inquiries, referrals, and nominations are also treated confidentially

Inquiries and questions: Please send to FitchburgStateCS@acesrch.com 
Nominations and referrals: Please send the nominees’ name, title, and contact information if available to nominations@acesrch.com 

Institution’s EEO Statement
Fitchburg State University understands that persons with specific disabilities may need assistance with the job application process and/or with the interview process. For confidential assistance with the job application process, please contact the Human Resources Office at 978-665-3172. 

Fitchburg State University is committed to diversifying its workforce.  We strongly encourage women, minorities, veterans and persons with disabilities to apply for the advertised position.