Professor and Chair, Computer Science Department

Department: Col of Engineering and Computing

Classification: 12-month Instructional Faculty

Job Category: Instructional Faculty

Job Type: Full-Time

Work Schedule: Full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hrs/wk)

Location: Fairfax, VA

Workplace Type: Hybrid Eligible

Sponsorship Eligibility: Eligible for visa sponsorship

Salary: Salary commensurate with education and experience

Criminal Background Check: Yes

Works with Minors check: Yes

About the Department:

The objective of the Department of Computer Science, within the College of Engineering and Computing, is to provide education at the undergraduate and graduate level and perform research that makes technology accessible to all. We aim to provide a challenging and rewarding multidisciplinary education to our students; establish and conduct nationally-recognized research; and serve the University as a nexus for opportunities.

With over 80 full-time faculty members and 12 administrative staff, the Department of Computer Science at George Mason University is the largest department in the College of Engineering and Computing, the largest department on campus, and the largest Computer Science department in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

The department offers two Bachelor of Science programs with over 2400 students enrolled: the B.S. in Computer Science and the inter-disciplinary B.S. in Applied Computer Science; three M.S. programs in Computer Science, Information Systems, and Software Engineering with a total enrollment of over 700 students; and a Ph.D. program in Computer Science of over 220 students. The department's faculty also teach in the inter-disciplinary M.S. in Data Analytics Engineering, M.S. in Artificial Intelligence, and the Ph.D. in Information Technology programs.

The department has a world-class faculty with research strengths in all areas of computing, and a strong commitment to teaching. We now rank among the Top 35 Computer Science Departments in the US.

About the Position:

Reporting to the Dean of the College, the Department Chair is the chief academic and administrative leader for the department and serves as a key member of the College's leadership team. The Chair of Computer Science (CS) provides vision and leadership to advance the department, positioning the department as a leader in innovation, research, and education in computer science, and related
fields. The Chair guides a robust scholarship and research agenda, promotes excellence in undergraduate and graduate education, and works to develop collaborative academic programs across the university.

Responsibilities:

• Serves as the chief academic and administrative leader for the department, provides vision and leadership to advance the department, and serves as a key member of the College's leadership team;
• Interacts with college and university leadership, collaborating on college and university strategic goals;
• Positions the department as a leader in innovation, research, and education in computer science;
• Elevates the status of the department, college and university among peer institutions and external partners;
• Responsible for personnel hiring, oversight, and development within the Department, including renewal, promotion, and tenure;
• Oversight of all educational and research programs within the Department;
• Teaches courses each academic year per college workload policy;
• Provides budgetary oversight for the department; and
• Provides oversight of departmental facilities usage.

Required Qualifications:

• Terminal degree in a related field;
• Must qualify to become a tenured full professor in the department;
• Competitive candidates will have an outstanding record in research with a strong record of funding, along with a genuine understanding of the teaching mission, and the importance of providing undergraduate and graduate students with the highest quality educational experience;
• Should have demonstrated potential for excellence and productivity in research, and a commitment to high-quality teaching;
• Unassailable personal and academic integrity;
• Strong oral and written communication skills, and a focus on openness and transparency;
• A demonstrated commitment to the effective mentoring of junior faculty; and
• Leadership skills and vision to advance the department to new heights, which includes a strong sense of where the field is headed and an understanding of its sub-disciplines.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Previous administrative experience; and
• Has the ability to foster strong interdisciplinary collaboration with other departments within the college and across the university.

Instructions to Applicants: 

For full consideration, applicants must apply for Professor and Chair, Computer Science Department at https://jobs.gmu.edu/. Complete and submit the online application to include three professional references with contact information, and provide a Cover Letter/Letter of Intent, CV, a Research, Teaching and Leadership Statement, and an optional copy of your transcript for review.

Posting Open Date: January 21, 2026

For Full Consideration, Apply by:  March 2, 2026

Open Until Filled:  Yes