Assistant Professor, Computer Information Science - IFO (AA27055)

Job Description

The department of Computer Information Science at Minnesota State University, Mankato invites applications for a probationary, Assistant Professor beginning August 17, 2026.

This position is for a new faculty member who will help support the Computer Information Science Department's undergraduate, work-based software engineering (SE) program.

After completing two years of core studies either at Minnesota State University, Mankato or another institution, students compete for a position in our upper-division SE program. The upper division experience starts with a one-semester residential "Academy" that takes place at the St. Paul College campus. During the "Academy," students are prepared for four semesters of work in industry, including mastering skills for self-directed learning and finding an industry placement. Students then move on to four semesters of working at a paid co-op position in industry combined with virtual/distance study with our faculty. The work-based SE curriculum combines technical software engineering training with the professional skills development necessary to succeed in a STEM career.

Responsibilities in this position include facilitating aspects of the "Academy" semester, coaching and supporting students' industry placement work, teaching core and elective upper-division SE topics courses, and advising SE students. Course topics that SE faculty will teach include, but are not limited to, software engineering; project management; software quality, measurement and testing; software requirements; software architecture and design; and software process, lifecycle, and sustainability.

Candidates must have (a) an earned PhD in computer science, a software engineering field, or other closely related computing field; or (b) a master's degree in computer science, a software engineering field, or other closely related computing field and minimum of five years professional experience working in software engineering or a closely related field.

The successful candidate will continue to frame and guide the new SE program overall, mentor more junior faculty and other program team members as the program grows, engage with industry partners to help create successful work-based experiences for SE students; participate in curriculum design, instruction, and evaluation; help create innovative strategies for student recruitment, retention, and completion; pursue externally funded research/scholarly activities; and eventually help lead the ABET accreditation process for the SE program.

• A typical faculty workload responsibility may include up to twenty four (24) credits of instruction per academic year.
• The successful candidate may need to teach in other areas as assigned and qualified.
• May be expected to develop and deliver face-to-face, hybrid, and on-line instruction at the Mankato campus, online, and/or at the university's additional locations, as assigned.
• The successful candidate will collaborate with colleagues in curriculum design, instruction and evaluation, conduct research productively and mentor students in research, help create innovative strategies for student recruitment, retention, and completion, and may be expected to develop external grant funding opportunities.
• All faculty members are expected to engage in scholarly or creative activity or research, in continuing preparation and study, in contributing to student growth and development, and in providing service to the university and community (See Article 22 and Appendix G of the IFO Master Agreement)
• The successful candidate will be responsible for teaching undergraduate courses in Software Engineering.
• This position will be based on the St. Paul College campus.
• The successful candidate will engage with industry partners to help create successful work-based experiences for SE students.
• The successful candidate will demonstrate a commitment to active, applied learning and developing innovative ways to support learning, including project-based teaching pedagogies.
• Faculty will be knowledgeable about current industry trends and emerging research.
• This position will advise and mentor undergraduate SE students

Minimum Qualifications

• Academic and work experience that achieve one of the following: (a) an earned PhD in computer science, a software engineering field, or other closely related computing field; or (b) a master's degree in computer science, a software engineering field, or other closely related computing field and minimum of five years professional experience working in software engineering or a closely related field. Degree must be conferred on an official transcript by the date of appointment.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with individuals from a wide range of diverse backgrounds and to foster a professional environment that is inclusive, respectful, and equitable for all.

Preferred Qualification

• Record of successful workplace collaboration and experience fostering an inclusive, equitable, and respectful environment while working effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Demonstrated effective written, oral communication and presentation skills.
• Understanding of, and ability to incorporate, and/or experience using, project-based and/or work-based learning pedagogical methods in a computing field, including teaching, advising, and/or mentoring students in such programs.
• Ability to teach a variety of undergraduate, upper-division courses in software engineering; project management; software quality, measurement and testing; software requirements; software architecture and design; software process, lifecycle, and sustainability; and/or other courses to support SE program learning outcomes.
• Demonstrated ability in, or strong potential for, development of industry partner relationships, particularly in garnering and supporting the software engineering work-based placements that form the basis of the software engineering program.
• Experience in starting, and successfully growing, new projects, organizations, or businesses.
• Success or strong potential for productivity in research, grant writing, creative activity and scholarship.

Application Procedures:

A complete online application will include the following attachments. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed by the search committee.

• Cover Letter
• Non-Photo Resume/Curriculum Vitae
• Contact Information for three (3) references
• Unofficial Transcript(s) of your highest completed degree
• A brief (no more than one-page) response to the following: Provide a specific example from your professional or academic experience that demonstrates your ability to work effectively with individuals from a wide range of diverse backgrounds. In your response, describe the actions you took to foster an environment that was inclusive, respectful, and equitable for all. What was the outcome, and what did you learn from the experience?
• A one (1) page statement of your teaching philosophy, including your experience or familiarity with the use of active learning, project-based learning, and/or experiential learning.
• A one (1) page statement of your research/scholarly interests.
• Evidence of successful teaching, such as teaching evaluations.