Department of Computer Science within the College 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 hours/week
Location: Fairfax, VA
Workplace Type: Hybrid
Eligible: Sponsorship Eligible
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 have a total enrollment of over 700 students, and a Ph.D. program in Computer Science has over 220 students. The departments 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 Colleges 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, providing vision and leadership to advance the department and serving as a key member of the Colleges 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.
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.
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 the Professor and Chair position in the 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