<p>The Department of Computer Science at Northern Illinois University (NIU) seeks to hire tenure-track Assistant Professors with expertise in Cybersecurity to join the new Cybersecurity program in August of 2026. Applicants should have an earned Ph.D. in cybersecurity or a closely related STEM field such as computer science, information technology, computer engineering, or electrical engineering with a focus on cybersecurity and its related topics by August 16, 2026.</p> <p>NIU and the Department of Computer Science value community and belonging. We expect candidates to equally value these principles and to serve as active participants and allies in working toward these goals.</p> <p>NIU is a comprehensive research university offering programs from the Baccalaureate through the Doctorate. Colleges include Business, Education, Engineering and Engineering Technology, Law, Liberal Arts and Sciences, Health and Human Sciences, and Visual and Performing Arts. On-campus enrollment is approximately 15,000 students. The university also offers more than 200 off campus courses each semester to students in communities throughout northern Illinois.</p> <p>The main campus is located in DeKalb, 65 miles west of Chicago's "Loop" and 40 miles southeast of Rockford with education centers in Rockford and Naperville. DeKalb/Sycamore, with a population of about 60,000, is a modern paradox, a rural/urban community. It is simultaneously recognized for its manufacturing and rich farmlands. The site of the first manufacturing of barbed wire and the development of hybrid seed corn are evidence of its diversified history. The blend of industry and agriculture, coupled with the cultural and recreational facilities of the university and supplemented by easy access to Chicago and Rockford, provide an enjoyable environment in which to live.</p> <p>Position Summary</p> <p>The Assistant Professor position involves assisting in curricula development, teaching the theory and practice of cybersecurity, including but not limited to, the security of computing systems and networking devices, cryptography, hardware and software security, communication system security, cloud and virtualization security, the usability of security, forensics, event remediation, security policy development and compliance, legal aspects related to cybersecurity, vulnerability assessment, risk and impact analysis, and Business Continuity/Disaster Recovery.</p> <p>Essential Duties and Responsibilities</p> <ul> <li>Teaching, Scholarship, acquiring external funding, mentoring students, and service; </li><li>Lead Ph.D. dissertations and M.S. theses and guide undergraduate students in research projects and capstones </li><li>Teaching undergraduate/graduate courses. </li><li>Providing services to help develop and improve the cybersecurity program. </li><li>Help develop the cyber range lab, virtual training labs, and hands-on classes. </li><li>Develop, plan, coordinate, and evaluate cyber training/education courses, methods, and techniques based on instructional needs. </li><li>Deliver professional cybersecurity and workforce training. </li><li>Creating a focused cybersecurity area of scholarly research and student supervision. </li><li>Help and support the program director's efforts to get the program CAE-CD designated and to secure external funding to support the program. </li></ul> <p>Minimum Required Qualifications</p> <ul> <li>Must have or expect to complete a Ph.D. or equivalent degree in computer science, computer engineering, or related field by August 16, 2026. </li><li>Must have expertise or evident potential for quality teaching in cybersecurity at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. </li><li>Must show evidence of, or potential for, publishing in premier peer-reviewed journals, developing an independent line of research, and securing external funding. </li></ul> <p>Additional Requirements</p> <ul> <li>Must have effective interpersonal communication skills and a commitment to working effectively and collegially in a multicultural environment. </li></ul> <p>Preferred Qualifications</p> <ul> <li>A strong track record of cybersecurity experience in industry and/or government is preferred. </li><li>Strong leadership skills and the ability to work collaboratively with colleagues, industry partners, and the broader community. </li><li>Ability to teach a wide range of cybersecurity and computer science topics. </li></ul> <p>Physical Demands Summary</p> <p>For physical demands and requirements please see human resources policies and protocols.</p>