continuum of teaching and research

Why I list CS jobs for Undergraduate Institutions

In 2017, I wrote an article about finding academic happiness on the job market and why I chose Bucknell. Since then, I continue to receive emails with the same follow-up question: how do I find these jobs? This listing of schools for the 2020/21 hiring season in CS is meant to help navigate that muddy water. To see last year’s list, visit the Medium article.

My criteria for colleges/universities on this page

This document does not contain all (or even most) CS positions. Instead, it is designed for graduate students who want to invest in teaching/mentorship with undergrads while still staying active in their scholarship. My criteria:

  • Tenure-track positions accessible to those with a Ph.D. in CS
  • Universities that identify as primarily-undergraduate colleges and universities.
  • Institutions that highly value teaching, but also secure time and financial resources for faculty to remain engaged with research. This typically means a reduced teaching load (often 2/2 or 3/2) with professional support funds.
    • Note: scholarship varies significantly between the institutions on this list. If research is important to you, I would encourage all applicants to carefully read ads and ask questions related to teaching loads, scholarly expectations, and institutional support. In the past, I’ve been picky about this criteria, but to avoid acting as a biased filter (and because of the more challenging market), I’m allowing departments to make that judgment call for themselves this year

Resources for navigating the job market

While I don’t expect to have a lengthy resources list here, there are a couple I want to highlight because they compile wisdom from many people (including those who have gone onto PUIs).

Who is hiring in CS so far (2020/21)

Deadlines are interpreted differently depending on the institution. See their full description for context

Bowdoin College (Maine)

[Excerpt] Bowdoin College’s Computer Science Department invites applications for a tenure-track position at the rank of Assistant Professor to begin July 1, 2021. We seek applications from all areas of computer science, including interdisciplinary fields. Bowdoin is seeking a colleague with a strong commitment to research and a promise of long-term successful scholarly engagement as well as a dedication to teaching excellence in a liberal arts environment. The position comes with generous research support including startup funding, a fully-funded, year-long junior sabbatical leave (after three years of teaching and successful reappointment), regular post-tenure sabbaticals, as well as conference and travel support. Bowdoin also provides robust assistance in securing funding from outside agencies.

  • Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, beginning December 15, 2020
  • Link to application

Bucknell University (Pennsylvania)

[Excerpt] The Department of Computer Science at Bucknell University seeks applications for a tenure-track position at the rank of Assistant Professor or Associate Professor in Computer Science beginning August 2021. We seek applicants who demonstrate interest in reflective, multicultural, and inclusive teaching practices and who commit to collaborating with departmental colleagues and students. The successful candidate will teach in one or more areas of our core CS curriculum and will have opportunities to develop elective courses in their areas of expertise. As a liberal arts institution, we value a broad definition of computer science, and we are particularly interested in candidates whose research areas either expand the range of expertise in the department or lead to connections with other disciplines, such as the humanities, arts, social sciences, or natural sciences. Evidence of the candidate’s commitment to equity in both the classroom and in scholarly collaboration must be included in the application materials.

  • Review of applications will begin on November 1 and continue until the position is filled
  • Link to application

Union College (New York)

_[Excerpt] Union College invites applications for an endowed tenure-track faculty position in Computer Science at the rank of Assistant Professor, beginning September 2021 or January 2022. This endowed position benefits from an assigned annual allowance to support research and travel and is part of a broader initiative to further strengthen and integrate computer science and engineering with the liberal arts at Union. At Union, institutional expectations and support are balanced between teaching and research; the ideal candidate will be enthusiastic about teaching, supervising undergraduate research, and sustaining an independent research program. The specialization is open, but preference will be given to candidates whose teaching and research can contribute to Union’s new and growing data science program. We are particularly interested in candidates who can teach core computer science classes as well as interdisciplinary courses that connect computing to the arts, humanities, and/or social sciences. _

  • Review of applications will begin on February 15 and continue until March 28
  • Link to application

Colorado College (Colorado)

[Excerpt] The Department of Mathematics and Computer Science at Colorado College invites applications for a tenure-track position at the Assistant Professor level in Computer Science to begin in August of 2021. We seek a computer scientist with broad teaching interests who can teach introductory as well as advanced computer science courses to a diverse community of students and mentor computer science majors who are completing their capstone experience. All candidates should be able to teach introductory and advanced computer science courses including programming and a CS elective in their primary field of study. We are also particularly interested in candidates who can teach computer architecture, data structures and algorithms, or theory of computation. The successful candidate should also be able to develop and maintain a rigorous program that can engage undergraduate students, mentor computer science students who are completing their capstone experience, and advise students who are interested in computer science.

Davidson College (North Carolina)

[Excerpt] The Department of Mathematics and Computer Science at Davidson College invites applications for a tenure-track appointment in Computer Science at the rank of Assistant Professor, beginning July 1, 2021. Candidates must possess a Ph.D. in Computer Science or a closely related field by Fall 2021. The department is also searching for a tenure-track position at the intersection of Mathematics and Computer Science at the rank of Assistant Professor. Candidates who are interested in both positions must apply for each position separately. We seek candidates with a strong commitment to improving access to computer science for all students, enthusiasm for teaching all levels of undergraduate students, and a research program that can involve undergraduate researchers. The department is most interested in an area of expertise that can broaden our curriculum, including, but not limited to, programming languages, architecture, software engineering, security, human-computer interaction, networking, database systems, operating systems, or scientific computing.

  • Applications completed by October 12, 2020 will receive full consideration
  • Link to application

Denison University (Ohio)

[Excerpt] The Computer Science program at Denison University invites applications for multiple tenure track faculty positions at the assistant professor or senior level to begin in August 2021. Candidates must have earned a Ph.D. in Computer Science or a closely related field, or be close to doing so, by the start date. We are seeking energetic and dynamic teachers who are committed to teaching a variety of courses in the CS core curriculum and in creating new electives that complement our existing offerings. Candidates should be dedicated to teaching in a liberal arts setting, mentoring undergraduate students, and supervising their research projects. The successful candidate will also be expected to contribute to the continued growth of the Department and the College, and maintain a strong scientific research program in any CS specialty or related field.

  • We will begin reviewing applications on a rolling basis beginning on October 9, 2020. We welcome applications received after this date, and will evaluate them as they arrive.
  • Link to application

Hamilton College (New York)

[Excerpt] The Computer Science Department at Hamilton College invites applications for a tenure-track position at the rank of Assistant Professor, beginning July 1, 2021. We seek candidates with expertise in an applied area of computer science. We are seeking candidates who can demonstrate their experience in teaching or working with diverse student populations. Your cover letter should address the ways in which you would further the College’s goal of building a diverse and inclusive educational environment. We expect an ongoing research program that could involve undergraduate researchers. Research support includes start-up funds, annual conference travel, and a generous sabbatical leave program. The position requires institutional service including academic advising of undergraduate students after the first year.

James Madison University (Virginia)

[Excerpt] The Department of Computer Science at James Madison University invites applications for tenure-track faculty positions to begin August 2021 contingent upon funding availability. We value excellence in our teaching and scholarship and are committed to cultivating a welcoming and diverse environment for our faculty, staff, and students. Preference will be given to applicants at the Assistant Professor level, and exceptional candidates at other ranks will also be considered. Applicants from all areas of specialization are encouraged to apply. We especially welcome candidates with a background in Software Engineering, Web & Mobile Development, Algorithms & Theory, or CyberSecurity. We are particularly interested in candidates with experience and/or interest in promoting diversity and inclusion within the department and the discipline. Candidates should demonstrate the ability and interest in providing high-quality undergraduate teaching in the context of a liberal arts university. Preference will be given to applicants with the potential to develop and sustain an active, undergraduate-oriented research program. A Doctorate (Ph.D., D.Sc., etc.) or ABD in Computer Science or a closely related field at the time of employment is required for these positions.

  • Review of applications will begin on November 15, 2020 and will continue until the positions are filled. Applications received after this date are acceptable and will be reviewed as they arrive.
  • Link to application

Lawrence University (Wisconsin)

[Excerpt] Lawrence University invites applications for a full-time tenure track position as Assistant Professor of Computer Science to begin September 1, 2021. Appointment at the associate level may be considered commensurate with experience. A PhD in Computer Science or closely related field is required by job start date. The Department of Mathematics and Computer Science seeks an excellent teacher who is passionate about working with undergraduates in a liberal arts setting while actively engaging in high-quality research. Lawrence offers majors in Computer Science, Mathematics, and minors in Computer Science, Mathematics, and Statistics and Data Science. Recent computer science graduates are employed at Airbnb, Apple, Amazon, Facebook, Google, LinkedIn, Microsoft, Nintendo, Pixar, Epic, Smart Things, and Workday. Others have attended graduate programs at Wisconsin, Minnesota, Georgia Tech, North Carolina State, RPI, USC, RIT, and Michigan. Candidates should be enthusiastic to teach broadly, including introductory and core courses (e.g., programming, algorithms, data structures) as well as advanced offerings in their particular areas of interest and expertise. Computer scientists from all research areas are encouraged to apply.

  • Evaluation of applications will begin October 15th and continue until the position is filled. We welcome applications received after this date, and will evaluate them as they arrive
  • Link to application

Milwaukee School of Engineering (Milwaukee)

[Excerpt] The Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) department at the Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) seeks applicants to fill multiple computer science (CS) and software engineering (SE) faculty positions at all ranks. MSOE expects, rewards, and supports a strong primary commitment to excellence in teaching. Faculty enjoy small class sizes and hands-on labs as well as continuous improvement and sustained professional development. Among the department’s strengths are strong partnerships with numerous businesses and academic institutes, which guide applied projects, undergraduate research, and curriculum development. Candidates with expertise in any field of CS or SE are encouraged to apply, but candidates with expertise in the following areas are especially desired: software process, dev ops, artificial intelligence, full stack web development, distributed and high-performance computing, and databases. Applicants must have an earned doctorate degree by the beginning date of the appointment, and proficiency in oral and written communication is required.

  • Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Hiring will continue until all positions are filled.
  • Link to application

Muhlenberg College (Pennsylvania)

[Excerpt] The Muhlenberg College Department of Mathematics and Computer Science invites applications for a tenure-track position in computer science at the assistant or associate professor level to begin in the fall of 2021. A Ph.D. in Computer Science or a closely related field is required by August 2021 and all areas of specialty will be considered. As an equal opportunity employer, Muhlenberg College is committed to recruiting and retaining outstanding faculty and staff from racial and ethnic groups that have been traditionally underrepresented in higher education. The most important part of a Muhlenberg professor’s job is teaching undergraduates. The teaching load for this position is 3 courses per semester. An ongoing research program is also expected of tenure-track faculty. Start-up funds are available to incoming faculty for their research and grants are available to support faculty scholarship during the summer.

  • Complete applications received by November 1, 2020 will receive full consideration.
  • Link to application

Oberlin College (Ohio)

[Excerpt] The Computer Science Department at Oberlin College invites applications for Two full-time, tenure track faculty positions in the College of Arts and Sciences to begin Fall 2021. To be assured of consideration, submit a letter of application, a curriculum vitae, teaching and research statements, graduate academic transcripts, and at least three recent letters of reference (by having recommenders provide these letters you agree that we may contact them), with one of those letters addressing teaching, submitted electronically to Academic Jobs Online. Questions about the position can be addressed to the Chair of Computer Science: Robert Geitz bob.geitz@oberlin.edu or 440-775-8386.

  • Completed applications received by December 7 will be guaranteed full consideration
  • Link to application for candidates who work in Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence
  • Link to application for the position open to all areas

University of Puget Sound (Washington)

[Excerpt] The University of Puget Sound seeks applications for a Tenure-Track Assistant or Associate Professor of Computer Science to begin Fall 2021. The successful candidate will develop and teach courses in the new undergraduate Data Science major, as well as courses in the existing Computer Science curriculum. Standard teaching load is 6 units per academic year. Candidates are expected to engage in undergraduate research, mentoring, advising, and standard service assignments. We are in the process of developing a new undergraduate major in Data Science, and are seeking candidates who would be excited to help lead, shape, and teach in the new major. Preference will be given to candidates specializing in one or more of the active areas of research in data science, including data mining and knowledge discovery, big data analytics, data visualization, deep learning, and statistical models for data mining.

  • Consideration of applications will begin on February 15, 2021, and will continue until the position is filled.
  • Link to application

Reed College (Oregon)

[Excerpt] The Department of Computer Science at Reed College invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position, rank open, beginning in the fall of 2021. Applicants should have a Ph.D. in computer science or a closely related field by the time of the appointment and should be committed to excellence in their teaching and in their scholarship. Applicants from systems/application research areas (e.g., networks, database systems, security, distributed computing, operating systems, robotics, etc.) are especially encouraged to apply, though applicants in all areas will be considered. The successful applicant will help teach the core computer science curriculum at all levels in the major, in cooperation with their fellow faculty, and will develop one or more courses in their areas of expertise. The department is committed to giving all its students the opportunity to explore research topics in computer science and in its applications. The successful candidate will advise several year-long senior thesis projects that are required of all Reed students.

  • Applications submitted by January 11, 2021 are assured to get the fullest consideration.
  • Link to application

University of Richmond (Virginia)

[Excerpt] The University of Richmond Department of Mathematics and Computer Science invites applications for a full-time tenure-track position in data science and statistics at the rank of assistant professor, to begin in the 2021-22 academic year. The department offers degrees in mathematics, computer science, and mathematical economics as well as a newly created major concentration in data science and statistics. The successful applicant is expected to commit to highly effective teaching at all levels of the undergraduate curriculum and to maintain a vigorous research program. Candidates from all subfields of data science and statistics will be considered. We are particularly interested in applicants who are able to make connections across a liberal arts curriculum. A Ph.D. in statistics, data science, computer science, information science, mathematics, or a related field is required and must be completed by the start date.

  • Review of applications will commence on October 15 and continue until the position is filled.
  • Link to application

Seattle Pacific University (Washington)

[Excerpt] Full-time, tenure track positions available for September 2021. A Ph.D. in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a closely related or relevant field/specialization. ABD candidates will also be considered. Two positions are available. Position #1: Background in computer networks, cybersecurity, or ubiquitous computing, and Position #2: Background in software engineering, systems design, database management, or web and mobile application development Candidates will need to be prepared to teach programming in C++. A commitment to undergraduate education, along with evidence of the ability to teach, advise, and/or mentor underrepresented and first-generation college students. Follow the link to the applications which includes an official SPU application form, a faith statement of approximately one page (Faculty Insert of online application), a statement on addressing diversity in course materials and class sessions (Faculty Insert of online application), a teaching philosophy statement of approximately one page, a curriculum vitae, and other supporting documents.

Simmons University (Boston)

[Excerpt] The Division of Mathematics, Computing, and Statistics (MCS) at Simmons University is seeking applicants for a faculty position in Statistics or Data Science, to begin August 15, 2021 (start date negotiable). As a mission-driven and inclusive institution, we invite applications from candidates who share our passion and commitment to empowering women to thrive in their careers. Depending on the successful candidate’s experience and professional goals, we offer several different possibilities for position title and responsibilities: Assistant Professor (tenure-track / research expectation), Assistant Professor–NTT (non-tenure-track / primarily teaching), Assistant Professor of Practice (industry experience / primarily teaching). Candidates must have earned a graduate degree in Statistics, Data Science, or a related field (or expect to earn such a degree by Fall 2021). To apply, please submit a cover letter (including the title of the position for which you are applying), a CV, and a teaching statement. Applicants for a tenure-track Assistant Professor rank should also include a research statement. Additional supporting materials that document excellence in teaching, such as course evaluations and syllabi of courses taught, are optional and welcomed.

  • Application review will begin on October 15, 2020, and will continue until the position is filled. Contact information for three professional references will be requested of selected applicants following initial review of applications.
  • Link to application

Smith College - Computer Science (Massachusetts)

[Excerpt] TThe Department of Computer Science at Smith College invites applications for two tenure-track, full-time positions at the rank of Assistant Professor, to begin July 1, 2021. Successful candidates should demonstrate their ability to engage actively with diverse student populations across the liberal arts, the potential for excellence in undergraduate teaching, and the capacity to develop an active research program. Both positions are open to all areas of computer science. For one of the positions we are especially interested in applicants with expertise in systems and hardware. A Ph.D. in Computer Science or a closely related field is expected by the time of appointment.

  • Review of applications will begin on December 1, 2020 and continue until the position is filled.
  • Link to application

Smith College - Statistical & Data Science (Massachusetts)

[Excerpt] The Program in Statistical & Data Sciences at Smith College invites applications for a tenure-track position at the rank of Assistant Professor, to begin July 1, 2021. Ph.D. in Statistics, Biostatistics, Data Science, Computer Science, or another relevant field is expected by the time of appointment. Candidates from any field in Statistics and Data Science are encouraged to apply. The position has a teaching load of 2:2 — i.e., four semester-long courses over the academic year. Teaching responsibilities for this position will regularly include introductory statistics or data science, as well as intermediate and advanced-level courses in their area of interest, for example data ethics, data journalism, machine learning, data visualization, and natural language processing. Candidates from groups underrepresented in STEM are encouraged to apply.

Southwestern University (Georgetown, TX - near Austin)

[Excerpt] The Department of Mathematics and Computer Science at Southwestern University invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position beginning August 2021. Candidates must possess a Ph.D. in Computer Science or a related field. ABD candidates will be considered. We welcome applications from all areas of computer science. Candidates are encouraged to demonstrate their experience or interest in collaborating with existing programs on campus (e.g. Business, Biology, Environmental Studies/GIS, Math, Psychology). The department is especially interested in attracting candidates from underrepresented groups and/or those with demonstrated commitment to enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in STEM. The teaching commitment is 3-2 (five courses per year), with a schedule including a combination of introductory programming courses for majors or non-majors, core courses from the CS major, and mid-level electives relevant to the faculty member’s research interests. Faculty are also expected to maintain a research program that results in peer-reviewed professional achievement, participate actively in university service, participate conscientiously in academic advising and retention initiatives, and exhibit a dedication to equity and inclusiveness.

  • Review of applications will begin on January 4th, 2021, continuing until the position is filled.
  • Link to application

University of Mary Washington (Fredericksburg, VA)

[Excerpt] The University of Mary Washington invites applications for a tenure-track position in computer science, at the assistant professor or associate professor level, to begin August 16, 2021. Our close-knit team of eight faculty specializes in working with eager undergraduate students in small classes and in one-on-one mentoring settings. Professors get the opportunity to teach a variety of computer science subjects and also to work hands-on with selected students on research projects of their choosing, often resulting in co-publication with undergraduates. We encourage innovative pedagogy, place value on research in computer science education, and foster a teamwork approach to teaching. Highly qualified candidates will be able to demonstrate dedication to effective teaching and high-impact learning in an inclusive environment that embraces diverse talents and backgrounds.

Westmont College (Santa Barbara, California)

[Excerpt] The Department of Mathematics and Computer Science invites applications for a tenure track position in Computer Science. We seek a faculty member with a PhD in computer science who demonstrates professional and personal interests that extend beyond computer science, to include a commitment to life-long learning in the liberal arts and an ability to cultivate such learning in undergraduate students. As a college rooted in the worldwide, evangelical Protestant Christian tradition, we are seeking candidates personally committed to this heritage. Applicants should also share our commitment to greater inclusion of underrepresented groups in a field that sorely needs such diversity. The computer science program at Westmont reflects our assumption that a solid theoretical understanding provides the necessary basis for elegantly and efficiently solving problems – whether in research or development. With this pedagogical perspective in mind, the new faculty member will have opportunities to make significant contributions to the content and structure of the program.

  • Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Hiring will continue until all positions are filled.
  • Link to application

Williams College (Massachusetts)

[Excerpt] The Department of Computer Science at Williams College invites applications for a tenure-track position at the rank of assistant professor beginning July 1, 2021. In an exceptional case, a more advanced appointment may be considered. The position has a three-year initial term and is open to all areas of computer science. We are especially interested in candidates with strong backgrounds in Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, Natural Language Processing, or Computer Graphics, but applicants from all areas are encouraged to apply. New faculty will join twelve current members of the department in supporting a thriving and diverse undergraduate computer science major. Candidates should have a commitment to excellence in teaching and research, and should, by September, 2021, possess a Ph.D. in computer science or a closely related discipline. Successful candidates will teach a total of three courses during the academic year, along with associated labs.

  • Completed applications received by November 16 will receive full consideration, and review of applications will continue until the position is filled.
  • Link to application