The Department of Computer Science at Virginia Tech (www.cs.vt.edu), which was established in 1971, invites applications for the position of department head. The head should strive to continue the accelerating rise of the department toward greater national prominence – and is expected to have a strong commitment to advancing the research and teaching missions of the department, to nurturing interdisciplinary collaborations, and to working closely with the university in advancing departmental strategic goals.
CS@VT is expanding with regard to people, research, and resources. In the last 5 years, 18 faculty members have been hired to make a total of 45; there are 8 recent CAREER awards. The number of PhDs awarded places the department among the top 30 in the United States. Research expenditures have more than tripled in the last 7 years.
Broadening from long-standing research strengths in human-computer interaction, high-performance computing, CS education, and digital libraries, there are growing numbers of projects in interdisciplinary areas such as computational biology and bioinformatics, media arts / creative technologies, digital government, embodied interaction, and problem solving environments.
CS faculty direct the Center for High-End Computing Systems and the Center for Human-Computer Interaction. Launched in 2001, and supported by multiple grants, the VT Undergraduate Research in Computer Science program integrates an increasing percentage of students into the research life of the department. A new building opened in 2006, leading to a near doubling in space, including dedicated reconfigurable laboratories such as for the gigapixel display system; there also is substantial commitment for renovating undergraduate labs.
CS@VT offers BS, MS, and Ph.D. programs in the Blacksburg campus and a graduate program at its satellite campus in the Washington, D.C. area (which has about 100 students). The department is a key participant in many interdisciplinary initiatives on campus, e.g., the Genetics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology program. Our dedicated and hard-working support staff numbers 15.
CS@VT is part of the College of Engineering (www.eng.vt.edu) – the premier engineering school in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The college has a history of innovation, e.g., inexpensive supercomputing (System X) and entrepreneurial research innovation (leading to 3 new interdisciplinary buildings).
Established in 1872 as a land-grant college, Virginia Tech is now a comprehensive research university, with almost $300 million per year in research, and with more than 26,000 students, the largest full-time student population in Virginia. The 120 acre VT Corporate Research Center is home to over 100 companies and the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine.
Blacksburg is consistently ranked among the country’s best places to live (http://www.liveinblacksburg.com/). Home to the Blacksburg Electronic Village, it is a scenic and vibrant community nestled in the New River Valley between the Allegheny and Blue Ridge Mountains. The town is proximal to state parks, trails, and other regional attractions of Southwest Virginia, renowned for their history and natural beauty.
Candidates for the head position must have a doctoral degree in computer science or a closely related field; a distinguished record of research, education, and professional service; a compelling vision for the future of computing; and an aptitude for administrative service. Highly desirable attributes include ability to serve as a strong advocate for the department within the university, to mentor faculty members in creating new initiatives, and to foster diversity. The head is also expected to maintain and strengthen communication between faculty, students, and staff, and to encourage all-around professional development.
The position is a full-time, tenured position; salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. Virginia Tech has a strong commitment to the principles of diversity, inclusion, and to maintaining a work and learning environment that is free of all forms of discrimination; it is the recipient of a National Science Foundation ADVANCE Institutional Transformation Award to increase the participation of women in academic science and engineering careers. Virginia Tech is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Institution.
Applications must be submitted online to https://jobs.vt.edu for posting 070739.
Applicant screening will begin Nov. 1, 2007 and continue until the position is filled. Applications should include a curriculum vitae, a cover letter, and contact information of at least five individuals providing references. Inquiries about the position should be directed to:
Edward A. Fox,
This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it
This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it
, mobile +1-540-230-6266
Chair, Search Committee for the CS Department Head, M/C 0106 Department of Computer Science, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061 |
Join Our Faculty 
