Search for the Next Head of
the Department of Computer Science
at Purdue University
The College of Science at Purdue University invites nominations and applications for the Head of the Department of Computer Science. The Department seeks a dynamic research leader and innovative educator with creative vision and an outstanding record of achievement to take a strong and growing department to the very top ranks.
The successful candidate will have an exemplary record of scholarly achievement along with outstanding leadership potential. It is expected that candidates for this position will have an earned doctorate in computer science or related field and a level of stature in the field sufficient at a minimum to merit appointment with tenure at the rank of Professor in one of the nation's leading Computer Science programs.
Founded in 1962, the Department of Computer Science at Purdue University was created to be an innovative base of knowledge in the emerging field of computing as the first degree-awarding program in the United States. The department continues to advance the computer science industry through research. US News & Reports ranks Purdue CS #20 and #16 overall in graduate and undergraduate programs respectively, seventh in cybersecurity, 10th in software engineering, 13th in programming languages, data analytics, and computer systems, and 19th in artificial intelligence. Our consistent success in an ever-changing landscape is reflected in the record undergraduate enrollment, increased faculty hiring, innovative research projects, and the creation of new academic programs.
The Head will work with faculty colleagues to build and achieve a compelling vision for the future of the Department, and to continue and accelerate the advancement of its nationally-ranked program through a commitment to excel in all aspects of the Department's mission. Highly desirable qualities include an understanding of the current needs and future direction of computer science as an academic discipline, a commitment to diversity and collaboration, and skills in academic leadership, student relations, mentoring, and alumni relations.
Submit the following documents to Purdue.CS@edexsearch.com
- a curriculum vitae;
- a letter of application articulating a vision for the future of computer science;
- a statement of research and teaching;
- names and email addresses of at least five references, who will not be called without express permission.
The Search Committee is chaired by Professor Chris Clifton. Purdue University has retained Ilene H. Nagel, John D. Simon, and Charles E. Kaler of Education Executives, LLC to assist with this search. Confidential inquiries, nominations and applications should be sent via e-mail to: Purdue.CS@edexsearch.com
Purdue is an ADVANCE institution. Purdue University's Department of Computer Science is committed to advancing diversity in all areas of faculty effort, including discovery, instruction, and engagement. Candidates should address at least one of these areas in a separate Diversity and Inclusion Statement, indicating their past experiences, current interests or activities, and/or future goals to promote a climate that values diversity and inclusion. A background check will be required for employment in this position.
Purdue's main campus is located in West Lafayette, Indiana, a rapidly-growing, welcoming, and diverse community with a wide variety of cultural activities, events, and industries. Purdue and the College of Science have a Concierge Program that provides dual career assistance and relocation services.
Purdue University and the College of Science are committed to advancing diversity in all areas of faculty effort, including discovery, instruction, and engagement. Candidates are encouraged to address in their cover letter how they are prepared to contribute to a climate that values diversity and inclusion.
Purdue University and the College of Science are committed to free and open inquiry in all matters. Candidates are encouraged to address in their cover letter how they are prepared to contribute to a climate that values free inquiry and academic freedom.
Purdue University is an EOE/AA employer. All individuals, including minorities, women, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply.
About the Department of Computer Science
As a signature area of Purdue investment, Computer Science more than doubled its undergraduate, graduate, and faculty sizes over the last decade, introduced two new majors (Data Science and Artificial Intelligence), and became the most selective undergraduate program on campus. Entering its next significant phase of expansion, opportunities abound for the right leader to make an outsized impact on the University and the profession by substantially growing the Department's visibility and stature.
With 82 full-time faculty (30 of whom are assistant professors), 530 graduate students, and over 2600 outstanding undergraduates, the Department is integral to a number of key strategic priorities of Purdue's Board of Trustees. Among these is a campus-wide focus on data science including an undergraduate major connecting Computer Science, Statistics, and Mathematics. A newly renovated building dedicated to data science will come online in 2024, forming a second home for the Department. The Department also leads or plays a major role in several significant University centers and institutes spanning cybersecurity, information theory, defense, policy, and other topics.
The Department's research expenditures exceed $15 million annually, and its teaching and research activities cover a broad range of topics including artificial intelligence, machine learning and natural language processing; bioinformatics and computational biology; computational science and engineering; computer architecture; databases and data mining; distributed systems; graphics and visualization; human-computer interaction; information security and assurance; networking and operating systems; programming languages and compilers; robotics and computer vision; software engineering; and theory of computing and algorithms. For more information, see www.cs.purdue.edu.
About Purdue University's College of Science
Computer Science is part of the College of Science, which comprises the computing, physical, and life sciences at Purdue. It is the second-largest college at Purdue, with nearly 350 faculty and over 7200 students. Under new leadership and with multiple commitments of significant investment, the College is paving the way for Computer Science to lead across Purdue and connect not only with the sciences, but across top-ranked programs in Agriculture, Business, Engineering, Health, and a variety of other areas. For more information, see www.purdue.edu/science.
About Purdue University
Purdue University, a top public research institution, offers higher education at its highest proven value. Committed to affordability, the University has frozen tuition and most fees at 2012-13 levels. Committed to student success, Purdue is changing the student experience with greater focus on faculty-student interaction and creative use of technology. Committed to pursuing scientific discoveries, Purdue has streamlined pathways for faculty and student innovators who have a vision for moving the world forward. For more information, see www.purdue.edu.
Search Committee
- Chris Clifton (chair), clifton@cs.purdue.edu
- George Adams, gba@purdue.edu
- Walid Aref, aref@purdue.edu
- Bedrich Benes, bbenes@purdue.edu
- Petros Drineas, pdrineas@purdue.edu
- Ananth Grama, ayg@purdue.edu
- Elena Grigorescu, elena-g@purdue.edu
- Irena Swanson, irena@purdue.edu
- Lin Tan, lintan@purdue.edu
Department of Computer Science Resources
Purdue University Resources
Local Resources
- West Lafayette, IN
- Lafayette, IN
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