Job Title: Assistant Professor - Computer Science, Gaming, and Graphics
Location: SICCS
Regular/Temporary: Regular
Full/Part Time: Full-Time
Job ID: 605852
Workplace Culture

NAU is a community devoted to student success and sustained by an unshakable commitment to our shared mission, vision, and values. We—faculty, staff, and administrators—thrive by combining our efforts and working side by side to further NAU’s culture of excellence.

Job Description

The School of Informatics Computing and Cyber Systems at Northern Arizona University seeks a Tenure Track faculty member in the discipline of Computer Science, with specialization in Game Development, Computer Graphics, Visualization, or related areas. This faculty member will teach undergraduate and graduate courses in core computer science and software engineering topics along with special topics in their area of research expertise, will mentor MS and PhD students, and should demonstrate a commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice (DEIJ) through their research and scholastic activities.

This faculty member will have the opportunity to closely collaborate within SICCS with world-class researchers studying informatics, data science, ecology, health, cybersecurity, autonomous vehicles, remote sensing, power systems, networks, and sensors, among other topics. Many of the funded research projects within SICCS and at NAU will benefit directly from expertise in visualization, communication of science, and interactive user interfaces. This faculty member will help lead the expansion of game and visualization curriculum within the existing software engineering programs. The State of Arizona is a world-class hub for the software industry, with many opportunities for industry engagement in the region.

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum qualifications for the rank of tenure track Assistant Professor is an earned doctoral (Ph.D. or Sc.D.) degree in Computer Science or a closely related area before the appointment.

Preferred Qualifications

Preferred qualifications include: Demonstrated expertise in Game Development, Computer Graphics, Visualization, or related areas; a strong record of scholarly productivity and promise for future excellence as evidenced by scholarly publications appropriate to the rank sought; established record of an independently-funded research program and promise for future excellence, as evidenced by participation and leadership in securing extramural funding appropriate to the rank sought; demonstrated interest in engaging with and leading collaborative multi- and inter-disciplinary teams; university-level teaching and mentorship experience, particularly at the graduate level and including graduate students and postdoctoral scholars, appropriate to the rank sought; excellent communication skills; experience effectively working with people from a variety of culturally diverse backgrounds and underrepresented communities; and demonstrated willingness and ability to teach courses in-person and online in a university setting.

General Information

The School of Informatics, Computing, and Cyber Systems (SICCS) at Northern Arizona University brings together interdisciplinary expertise in cybersecurity, computer science, electrical engineering, informatics, and applied data science in the context of a large high-research public university. We offer a variety of undergraduate and graduate degrees on these topics, offered by roughly fifty faculty to over 1000 undergraduates and 200 graduate students associates with the school. Our core mission is to integrate interdisciplinary developments in scientific and engineering knowledge around computation, data, and systems with traditional disciplines to drive breakthroughs that address key 21st-century challenges. Our faculty are shaping the School’s ground-breaking research programs and the development of its interdiscipinary academic programs. They also have the opportunity to collaborate with researchers at institutes and centers across campus, including the Pathogen and Microbiome Institute, the Center for Bioengineering Innovation, the Merriam-Powell Center for Environmental Research, the Center for Materials Interfaces in Research and Applications (¡MIRA!), and the Center for Ecosystem Science and Society. Applied data science is a world-class research strength at NAU, providing ample opportunities for collaboration on AI/ML applications.

Northern Arizona University has a student population of 29,569, including approximately 21,000 on its main campus in Flagstaff and the remainder at more than 20 locations statewide and online.

Committed to a diverse and civil working and learning environment, NAU has earned a solid reputation as a university with all the features of a large institution but with a personal touch, with a faculty and staff dedicated to each student’s success. All faculty members are expected to promote student learning and help students achieve academic outcomes.

While our emphasis is undergraduate education, we offer a wide range of graduate programs and research. Our institution has carefully integrated on-campus education with distance learning, forming seamless avenues for students to earn degrees.

Flagstaff has a population of about 70,000, rich in cultural diversity. Located at the base of the majestic San Francisco Peaks, Flagstaff is 140 miles north of Phoenix at intersection of Interstate 17 and Interstate 40.

For information about diversity, access and equity at NAU, see the Center for University Access and Inclusion webpage.

COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement

As of 12/10/21, the Safer Federal Workforce employee vaccination requirement is currently suspended pending the outcome of a federal court-issued injunction. This injunction has suspended the recent executive order issued by President Biden requiring all employees of federal contractors to receive COVID-19 vaccinations. For current status of the vaccine requirement and/or questions, please visit FAQs for Employee Vaccination Requirement.

Background Information

Northern Arizona University requires satisfactory results for the following: a criminal background investigation, an employment history verification and a degree verification (in some cases) prior to employment. You may also be required to complete a fingerprint background check.

Additionally, as an employer in the state of Arizona, NAU is required to participate in the federal E-Verify program that assists employers with verifying new employees' right to work in the United States.

Finally, each year Northern Arizona University releases an Annual Security Report. The report is a result of a federal law known as the Clery Act. The report includes Clery reportable crime statistics for the three most recent completed calendar years and discloses procedures, practices and programs NAU uses to keep students and employees safe including how to report crimes or other emergencies occurring on campus. In addition, the Fire Safety Report is combined with the Annual Security Report for the NAU Flagstaff Mountain Campus as this campus has on-campus student housing. This report discloses fire safety policies and procedures related to on-campus student housing and statistics for fires that occurred in those facilities.

If you would like a free paper copy of the report, please contact the NAUPD Records Department at (928) 523-8884 or by visiting the department at 525 E. Pine Knoll Drive in Flagstaff.

Salary

Commensurate with experience.

Benefits

This is a Faculty (FAC) position. NAU offers an excellent benefit package including generous health, dental and vision insurance; participation in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) or the Optional Retirement Program (ORP); sick leave accruals and 10 holidays per year; and tuition reduction for employees and qualified family members. More information on benefits at NAU is available at the NAU HR benefits page.

Faculty are hired on a contract basis, renewable according to terms of the Conditions of Faculty Service. Employees offered a position will be eligible for state health plans (including NAU's BCBS Plan). Employees will have 31 days from date of hire to enroll in benefits, and their benefits will then be effective the first day of the pay period following their completed enrollment.

If a new employee chooses the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) retirement option, participation in the ASRS Plan (and the long-term disability coverage that accompanies it) will begin on the first of the pay period following 183 days of employment. New employees who choose to participate in the Optional Retirement Plan (ORP; an alternative to the ASRS plan) will begin to participate on the first day of employment. The long-term disability plan that accompanies the ORP will begin on the first day of the pay period following 90 days of employment. More information about NAU benefits is available at the NAU HR benefits page.

Submission Deadline

This vacancy will be open until filled or closed. Review of applications will begin on February 20, 2022.

How to Apply

To apply for this position, please click on the "Apply" button at the end of the job description if viewing this position through the NAU HR website. Otherwise, to view the original post and to apply, proceed to nau.jobs, follow the 'Faculty and Administrator Openings' link, locate vacancy 605852, and then "Apply" at the bottom of the page.

To be considered for this position please submit: (A) a cover letter highlighting your particular qualifications for this position; (B) a statement of teaching philosophy; (C) a statement of research interests; (D) a justice, equity, diversity and inclusion statement; (E) a curriculum vitae; (F) names and contact information for three references.

If you need assistance completing your application there are instructions available on the HR website or in person in the Human Resources Department located in Building 91 on the NAU Campus - on the corner of Beaver and DuPont Streets.

If you are an individual with a disability and need reasonable accommodation to participate in the hiring process please contact the Office of Equity and Access at: 928-523-3312/TDD - 928-523-1006 or PO Box 4083, Flagstaff AZ 86011.

FLSA Status

This position is exempt from the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and therefore will not earn overtime or compensatory time for additional time worked.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Northern Arizona University is a committed Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Institution. Women, minorities, veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. NAU is responsive to the needs of dual career couples.

EEO is the Law Poster and Supplements

NAU is an Employer of National Service. AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other National Service alumni are encouraged to apply.