Job Description

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Posting Number:

FAC00085PO25

Advertised Title

Department Chair - Computer Science Engineering

Campus

Columbia

College/Division

College of Engineering and Computing

Department

CEC Computer Science and Engineering

Advertised Salary Range

To commensurate with qualifications

Part/Full Time

Full Time

Hours Per Week

37.5

Position Category

Full-time Equivalent (FTE)

Basis

11 months

Work County

Richland

Tenure Information

Tenure-Track/Tenured

Job Search Category

Faculty

About University Of South Carolina

From the Upstate to the Lowcountry, the University of South Carolina system is transforming the lives of South Carolinians through the impact of our eight institutions and 20 locations throughout the state. More than 50,000 students are enrolled at one of eight institutions, including the research campus in Columbia and comprehensive four-year universities in Aiken, Upstate and Beaufort. In addition, our Palmetto College campuses in Salkehatchie, Union, Lancaster and Sumter enable students to earn associate or bachelor’s degrees through a combination of in-person, online or blended learning. All of our system institutions place strong emphasis on service — helping to build healthier, more educated communities in South Carolina and beyond.

Advertised Job Summary

The Department of Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) at the University of South Carolina invites applications for the position of Department Chair. This is a leadership role for an individual with a strong vision for the future of computer science and engineering education and research, as well as a deep commitment to faculty development and student success.

The Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing was named on June 6, 2024 in recognition of the significant momentum of the college in scholarship, research productivity, enrollment, timely academic programs, and faculty size. Over the past nine years, there have been over 60 TTT hires, with additional 10+ ongoing searches, the annual research awards for the college have increased from $18M to over $75M, the freshman classes have grown by more than 50% to ~1,000 students, an Applied AI Institute (led by the CSE department) was founded in 2019, and a new biomedical engineering department has been formalized, focusing on the brain and significant potential overlap with AI. Recognizing this momentum, the President has allocated five of the 100 presidential hires for the CSE department, with the first position being the department chair, to be followed with another four tenured full or associate professors. The department has access to a state-of-the-art high-performance computing facility managed by the University with a general-purpose cluster consisting of 16,616 CPU cores and approximately 100 GPUs, as well as a dedicated AI cluster with 40 A100/H100 GPUs.

The Department Chair will serve as the academic and administrative leader of the department, providing strategic direction, fostering collaboration, and supporting a vibrant community of scholars, educators, and students. The Chair will guide the department in defining and expanding areas of core strengths, promoting interdisciplinary sponsored research, and ensuring the highest standards of academic excellence.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide visionary leadership that inspires faculty, staff, and students in a shared mission of academic and research excellence, fostering a culture of collaboration, mutual support, and continuous growth.
• Lead the department in recruiting and retaining high-impact faculty, including four additional tenured positions in strategically defined focus area(s).
• Lead modernization of curricula and create timely courses (in collaboration with other units) that draw students from the whole university and beyond.
• Champion innovative, multidisciplinary research initiatives that leverage faculty strengths and attract substantial federal, state, and industry funding.
• Support and leverage the university-wide AI initiative by actively promoting multidisciplinary collaboration across the campus and throughout South Carolina to grow research and broaden the impact of the CSE department.
• Serve as a proactive advocate for the department within the university and the broader academic and industrial communities.
• Facilitate effective communication among faculty, students, and university leadership, complementing and advancing the broader mission of the College of Engineering and Computing through departmental initiatives.
  
  

Required Education And Experience

A doctorate degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering or a closely related field with proven leadership experince in an academic or research setting and a track record of building collaborative high performing teams.

Preferred Qualifications

A doctorate degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering or a closely related field with proven leadership experince in an academic or research setting and a track record of building collaborative high performing teams. Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with diverse internal and external stakeholders. Experience with best practices in developing undergraduate and graduate curricula. Experience in securing multidisciplinary, federally, and industry-funded research projects.

Desired Start Date

08/16/2026

Job Open Date

06/13/2025

Open Until Filled

Yes

Special Instructions To Applicant

Interested candidates should apply online through the USC Jobs website at . and submit a cover letter including statement of leadership philosphy, curriculum vitae, and the contact information for at least three references. Review of applications will begin immediately, and full consideration will be given to applications submitted before October 15, 2025. The search will continue until the position is filled.

For further information, please contact the Department Chair Search Committee Dr. Jamil Khan at Khan@cec.sc.edu

Positions are advertised for a minimum of five (5) business days on our job website. After five (5) business days, positions can be closed at the discretion of the department at any time. This position is open until filled. This employment site is updated on a regular basis. The length of the recruitment and screening process may vary from position to position, depending upon a variety of factors. Should review of your qualifications result in a decision to pursue your candidacy, you will be contacted by phone or email.

Quicklink For Posting

EEO Statement

The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in educational or employment opportunities or decisions for qualified persons on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender (including transgender), gender identity or expression, genetic information, HIV/AIDs status, military status, national origin, pregnancy (false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, childbirth, recovery therefrom or related medical conditions, breastfeeding), race, religion (including religious dress and grooming practices), sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other bases under federal, state, local law, or regulations.

Job Tags

Full time, Part time, Local area, Immediate start,

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