Job Details

Patterson Endowed Chair of Cybersecurity and Professor, Tenured, Computer Science

Position Number: 9781064
Location: Waco, United States
Position Type: Science - Computer Science

Patterson Endowed Chair of Cybersecurity and Professor, Tenured, Computer Science
Computer Science

Location: Waco, TX
Open Date: Aug 21, 2026
Deadline: Dec 31, 2026 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time

Description:
The Department of Computer Science at Baylor University seeks qualified candidates for the Patterson Endowed Chair position in Cybersecurity. This tenured professor position will begin in August 2027. We look for exceptional candidates with vision who will expand innovative research and teaching that addresses challenging problems in the field of cybersecurity. Applications from all areas within cybersecurity are encouraged. The candidate will have exceptional international research credentials in cybersecurity, a strong track record of securing research funding, and experience leading research initiatives. Excellence in teaching at both the undergraduate and graduate levels is essential. This pivotal role calls for an established leader who will forge and drive research collaborations inside the department or across the university.

Baylor University's Cybersecurity Research and Education Initiative aims to significantly advance knowledge within the cybersecurity community. Baylor is designated by the National Security Agency (NSA) as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education (CAE-CD) and Cyber Research (CAE-R). Additionally, the Central Texas Cyber Range (CTCR) equipped with state-of-the-art facilities fosters cybersecurity education, applied research, and community engagement.

About the Department:

Baylor's ABET-accredited Computer Science Department currently has twelve tenured/tenure-track faculty, including the McCollum Family Chair of Data Science, and seven lecturer faculty members. The faculty are internationally recognized in research areas including data science, bioinformatics, machine learning, cybersecurity, computer vision, and computer systems. The department is housed within the Hankamer Building and the Baylor Research and Innovation Collaborative (BRIC; see https://bric.research.baylor.edu/). The department offers BS, MS, and PhD degrees in Computer Science. It also offers the BSI degree with majors in Bioinformatics, Data Science, and Cybersecurity. Additional information regarding the department, including its mission, is available at https://www.ecs.baylor.edu/research-departments/computer-science.

About Baylor University: Baylor University is located in Waco, Texas and is the oldest college in the state. It has a diverse student population of 21,000 and is recognized as an R1 institution by the Carnegie Classification. Baylor is also noted on the honor roll of "Great Colleges to Work For" by ModernThink. We offer competitive salaries and benefits, allowing faculty and staff to live in one of the fastest-growing parts of the state. As a Christian university with historic Baptist roots and as reflected in the Notice of Non-Discrimination, Baylor strives to be a place characterized by civility and respect. We believe each student, faculty, staff, and administrator is made in the image of God. Baylor's new strategic plan, Baylor in Deeds, guides the University as it continues to fulfill its mission of educating men and women for worldwide leadership and service by integrating academic excellence and Christian commitment within a caring community.

Qualifications:
Distinguishing Expectations of the Patterson Endowed Chair

The holder of the Patterson Endowed Chair will be expected to:

Serve as a visible ambassador for Baylor University nationally and internationally.
Lead transformative research initiatives aligned with instructional priorities.
Assist in recruiting outstanding faculty, graduate students, and postdoctoral scholars.
Forster interdisciplinary collaborations across the university.
Advance Baylor's visibility among federal sponsors and industry partners.
Contribute to the development of future research centers and strategic initiatives.

Qualifications

Education & Experience: A Ph.D. in cybersecurity, or a closely related field, along with a minimum of 10 years of professional experience post Ph.D. degree.
Research Leadership & Center Creation: A proven track record of visionary leadership. Strong preference will be given to candidates with demonstrated success in leading major research initiatives, centers, institutes, laboratories, or large-scale collaborative programs involving multiple investigators, institutions, and external stakeholders. Experience securing substantial federal, industrial, or foundation support is highly desired.
Scholarly Excellence: A distinguished record of high-impact scholarship, including nationally or internationally recognized publications and a strong history of securing significant external research funding.
Teaching & Mentorship: Demonstrated excellence in teaching and mentoring students, postdoctoral scholars, and early-career faculty. A strong record of graduate student placement, research mentorship, and talent development is highly desirable.
National and International Recognition: Evidence of national or international leadership in the field through major awards, fellow status in professional societies, editorial responsibilities, invited keynote presentations, professional service, or other indicators of scholarly distinction.
Partnership Development: Demonstrated ability to cultivate productive partnerships with federal agencies, industry, national laboratories, healthcare organizations, nonprofits, or other external stakeholders that enhance research impact and educational opportunities.

Evaluation Criteria

Research Excellence

Scholarly impact and reputation
Research vision and innovation
Record of external funding
Potential for center or institute leadership

Academic Leadership

Strategic leadership
Faculty mentorship
Interdisciplinary collaboration
Programmatic development

Educational Impact

Teaching effectiveness
Graduate mentoring
Student success outcomes

Institutional Fit

Ability to advance Baylor's mission
Communication and collegiality
Commitment to Christian higher education

Application Instructions:
To apply, visit https://apply.interfolio.com/190574

Required Documents:

- Cover letter

- CV (Curriculum Vitae)

- Statement of research interests

- Statement of teaching interests

- Contact information for at least three professional references

- Academic transcript of highest degree earned (unofficial is accepted)

- Religious Affiliation Form (available in Interfolio)

Optional Documents:

- Publications

Review of applicants will begin on October 15, 2026 and will continue until the position is filled. Nothing received after December 31, 2026 can be considered.

All applicants will also complete the self-disclosed Religious Affiliation Form (RAF) in Interfolio. Questions about the position may be directed to Dr. Greg Speegle at "Greg_Speegle@baylor.edu".

Candidates who are outside of the United States and do not have other nonimmigrant visa status will not be sponsored for an H-1B petition.

Baylor University, a private not-for-profit university affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas, is committed to compliance with all applicable anti-discrimination laws, including those regarding age, race, color, sex, national origin, military service, genetic information, and disability. Baylor complies with statutory Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity requirements. Baylor's full official Notice of Non-Discrimination may be read online.