Department Chair - Computer Science Engineering

Department Chair - Computer Science Engineering

Parker Executive Search is assisting the University of South Carolina in the search for the next Chair of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering. The Search Committee invites letters of nomination, applications (letter of interest, full resume/CV, and contact information of at least five references), or expressions of interest to be submitted to the search firm assisting the University. Review of materials will begin immediately and continue until the appointment is made. It is preferred, however, that all nominations and applications be submitted before March 24, 2026. Please submit applications directly to Parker Executive Search. For additional information, please contact: Porsha Williams, Vice President Jacob Anderson, Senior Principal Julia Butler-Mayes, Ph.D., Associate Parker Executive Search Five Concourse Parkway, Suite 2875 Atlanta, GA 30328 (770) 804-1996 ext.: 111 janderson@parkersearch.com || jbutler-mayes@parkersearch.com

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 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 in CSE. 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.

Desired Qualifications:

• Proven leadership experience in an academic or research setting, with 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.
• A doctorate in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a closely related field is required.

Required Education and Experience:

A doctorate in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a closely related field is required. With proven leadership experience in an academic or research setting, with a track record of building collaborative, high-performing teams.

Posting Detail Information:

Desired Start Date - 08/16/2026

Job Open Date - 01/06/2026

Job Close Date

Open Until Filled - Yes

Special Instructions to Applicant:

Parker Executive Search is assisting the University of South Carolina in the search for the next Chair of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering. The Search Committee invites letters of nomination, applications (letter of interest, full resume/CV, and contact information of at least five references), or expressions of interest to be submitted to the search firm assisting the University. Review of materials will begin immediately and continue until the appointment is made. It is preferred, however, that all nominations and applications be submitted before March 24, 2026. Please submit applications directly to Parker Executive Search. For additional information, please contact: Porsha Williams, Vice President Jacob Anderson, Senior Principal Julia Butler-Mayes, Ph.D., Associate Parker Executive Search Five Concourse Parkway, Suite 2875 Atlanta, GA 30328 (770) 804-1996 ext.: 111 janderson@parkersearch.com || jbutler-mayes@parkersearch.com

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.

Applicant Documents

Required Documents:

1. Cover Letter
2. Curriculum Vitae
3. List of References and Contact Information

Optional Documents