Indiana University Columbus invites applications for a full-time, open-rank, non-tenure-track faculty position in Cybersecurity for Cyber-Physical Systems. This teaching-focused role is based onsite at IU Columbus in Columbus, IN, and includes an initial administrative appointment as the Founding Program Director for a proposed B.S. in Cybersecurity for Cyber-Physical Systems. The anticipated 10-month appointment begins January 1, 2027.
The program is expected to be a 120-credit Bachelor of Science designed to prepare students to secure computing systems that monitor or control physical processes. The curriculum combines foundations in programming, data structures, operating systems, networks, databases, distributed systems, cloud computing, cryptography, and cybersecurity with required study of embedded and real-time systems, industrial controls, hardware and firmware security, wireless and Internet-of-Things security, operational-technology incident response, security architecture, verification and validation, and system resilience.
Role overview
- Teaching-focused appointment with an initial assignment as Founding Program Director for the proposed B.S. in Cybersecurity for Cyber-Physical Systems.
- Initial semester is not expected to include a regular classroom teaching assignment; after program launch, teaching becomes a central responsibility with an administrative course release for program leadership.
- Reports to the Head of the Division of Behavioral, Health and Life Sciences.
- Expected 10-month academic appointment; summer program-development and launch responsibilities may be assigned and compensated separately through a summer stipend, subject to approval and available funding.
- Proposed spring 2027 assignment focuses primarily on program finalization, recruitment, curriculum and course development, laboratory planning, partner engagement, and implementation.
- Based at IU Columbus and requires regular on-campus presence for program leadership, recruitment, student engagement, laboratory development, and face-to-face classroom and laboratory instruction.
Responsibilities
- Coordinate final development and implementation of the B.S. in Cybersecurity for Cyber-Physical Systems.
- Lead preparation and coordination of new-course proposals, CARMIn submissions, remonstrance materials, catalog information, and curricular documentation.
- Coordinate development of course schedules, prerequisite sequences, degree maps, and the staged course rotation.
- Develop and maintain program assessment processes, curriculum maps, direct-assessment plans, and required documentation for university and state review.
- Coordinate laboratory and cyber-range planning, including equipment selection, instructional environments, safety and authorized-use expectations, and curriculum integration.
- Support implementation of the program’s Market Launch Plan, including student recruitment, information sessions, outreach to schools and career centers, campus visits, and laboratory demonstrations.
- Coordinate development of advising, transfer, credential, career-pathway, and student-success materials.
- Assist with future faculty searches and coordinate program faculty contributions under the direction of the Division Head.
- Coordinate program review, annual reporting, and continuing curriculum improvement.
- Participate, as assigned, in planning and stewardship of externally supported equipment and laboratory resources.
- Teach introductory and advanced undergraduate courses supporting the program, including programming or information-infrastructure coursework and courses across multiple cybersecurity and cyber-physical systems areas.
- Develop and teach laboratory-centered, project-based, applied learning experiences, including CPS Security Studios, an isolated instructional cyber range, and a two-semester applied capstone.
- Advise and mentor students entering through first-year, transfer, adult, veteran, and technical-career pathways, supporting retention, progression, credential preparation, career exploration, and timely degree completion.
- Supervise or coordinate studios, applied projects, capstones, internships, or employer-informed learning experiences.
- Use appropriate in-person, blended, and Canvas-supported instructional practices while maintaining required face-to-face laboratory experiences.
- Coordinate an employer and education advisory group for the program and develop relationships with employers and education partners.
- Support transfer-pathway development and continuing coordination with Ivy Tech Community College and Vincennes University.
- Coordinate employer-informed projects, guest speakers, facility visits, internships, co-ops, capstone opportunities, mentors, and career activities, subject to partner capacity.
- Represent the program at recruitment events, professional meetings, community forums, and appropriate university activities.
- Participate in faculty governance and service appropriate to the appointment.
Required qualifications
- Terminal degree in computer science, cybersecurity, computer engineering, electrical engineering, informatics, information technology, systems engineering, or a closely related field by the appointment date; or a master’s degree in a relevant field with substantial professional experience in cybersecurity, cyber-physical systems, operational technology, embedded systems, industrial automation, connected products, or a closely related area.
- Relevant academic or professional expertise in cybersecurity, cyber-physical systems, operational technology, embedded computing, critical-infrastructure protection, or a closely related field.
- Ability to teach introductory programming or information-infrastructure courses.
- Ability to teach in at least two of the following areas: Cybersecurity foundations; Computer networks and network security; Operational technology or ICS/SCADA security; Embedded systems and microcontrollers; Real-time operating systems; Industrial automation and controls; Hardware and firmware security; Wireless and IoT security; Secure software development; Incident response or digital forensics; Security architecture and critical-infrastructure resilience; Verification, validation, testing (continued wording in posting).
- Evidence of, or clear potential for, effective undergraduate teaching and student mentoring.
- Ability to develop applied, project-based, or laboratory-centered learning experiences.
- Ability to collaborate effectively with faculty, staff, students, employers, educators, and community partners.
- Ability to perform responsibilities through regular on-campus presence at IU Columbus.
Professional focus and scholarship
- This is a teaching-focused appointment and does not require a traditional disciplinary research agenda.
- Expected to maintain professional currency and engage in scholarship or professional activity that supports teaching, curriculum development, applied student learning, industry collaboration, and the mission of IU Columbus.
Technology and frameworks
- Canvas, CARMIn, PLC and HMI, FreeRTOS, Zephyr, NIST Cybersecurity Framework, NICE Workforce Framework, ISA-95, ISA/IEC 62443, ICS/SCADA.
Appointment contingency
- The position, the Founding Program Director assignment, and the anticipated January 2027 start date are contingent upon final program approval, continued institutional authorization, and availability of funding.
Application information
- For best consideration date: 10/15/2026
- Application deadline (full consideration): Applications received by October 15, 2026 will receive full consideration.
- The search remains open until the position is filled.
- Application submission materials: letter of application; current curriculum vitae (maximum 3 pages); statement of teaching philosophy and practices; statement (two to three pages) describing approach to program development and implementation, laboratory-based technical education, student recruitment/success/retention, and employer/education-partner/community engagement; names, titles, email addresses, and telephone numbers for three professional references; and optional evidence of teaching effectiveness (for example, course evaluations, peer observations, teaching awards, or other appropriate documentation.
- Letters of recommendation will be requested only from candidates who advance to a later stage of the search.
Posting number: IU-101691-2026.
