Assistant Professor, Cyber Security and Privacy

The Opportunity

The University of Central Florida (UCF) recently established nine interdisciplinary clusters to strengthen its academic offerings and research mission. In support of this effort, we are recruiting faculty in the broad area of cyber security and privacy, from a policy or social science perspective, and plan to hire one 9 month, tenure-earning assistant professor for this cluster. This position has an anticipated start date of August 8, 2025.

The Cybersecurity and Privacy Cluster is an interdisciplinary initiative, bringing together researchers from across the campus and working on addressing the pressing questions of our national security from engineering, science, and social perspectives. The cluster currently has 15 members, collectively advising more than 57+ doctoral students, and embracing a strong culture of collaboration and teamwork. This cluster runs various well-funded programs, has developed and implemented a new interdisciplinary M.S. in Cybersecurity and Privacy, is a recipient of the prestigious National Science Foundation Scholarship of Service Program, and has National Security Agency Center of Academic Excellence in Research (CAE-R) and in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD) designations.

This is an interdisciplinary position that will be expected to strengthen both the cluster and a chosen tenure home department and may include a combination of joint appointments. A strong advantage of this position is the ability of the candidate to choose a combination of units from the cluster for their own appointment. See https://www.ucf.edu/research/cyber-security-privacy/ for a complete list of all the units involved. Both individual and interdisciplinary infrastructure and startup support will be provided with the new position.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in cyber security and privacy and be on an upward leadership trajectory in these areas. They will have research impact as reflected in high-quality publications and the ability to build a well-funded research program. In particular, we are looking for a team player who can help bring together current campus efforts in cyber security or privacy, and someone who will work at the intersection of several areas addressing the intersection of the technical aspects of cyber security and privacy within the social sciences with a focus on one or more of the following topics: a) networked privacy; b) security/privacy issues of artificial intelligence (AI) applications; c) organizational issues of cyber security and privacy, d) cybercrimes; e) cyberwarfare; f) cyber security and intelligence, g) cyber security, privacy, and mis-information, h) politics of space and cybersecurity, i) political and behavioral issues in cyber-security, j) law, governance, and regulation related to privacy and cybersecurity, and k) simulation and modeling for cyber systems. With this in mind, we anticipate the selected candidate will be tenure-earning in one of, but not limited to, the following units: School of Modeling, Simulation, and Training (SMST); and the School of Politics, Security, and International Affairs (SPSIA).

The School of Politics, Security, and International Affairs (SPSIA) is a school in the College of Science and offers graduate programs in security studies (Ph.D.) and political science (M.A.) as well as certificate programs in Survey, Network Analysis and Intelligence and National Security. SPSIA strives to provide excellence in research and teaching at all levels of higher education to prepare a diverse student body for career and life success as engaged citizens. The school is the home to five centers that are nationally recognized (The India Center, The Kurdish Program, The Lou Fry Institute, The Center for Global Economic and Environmental Opportunity). More information is available at: https://sciences.ucf.edu/politics/

The School of Modeling, Simulation, and Training (SMST) is a vibrant school under the College of Engineering and Computer Science that offers interdisciplinary graduate programs in Modeling and Simulation, Behavioral Cyber Security, and Digital Twins. Our academic programs are among the most recognized in the U.S. and internationally with 25 years of history in graduate education. SMST faculty maintain active cutting-edge research programs in Modeling and Simulation, and Digital Twins. More information is available at: https://www.cecs.ucf.edu/smst/

Minimum Qualifications:

A Ph.D., terminal degree, or foreign degree equivalent from an accredited institution in an area appropriate to the cluster at the time of the appointment. Ph.D. candidates with an ABD status will be considered for the opening, subject to obtaining their degree before the start date. Applicants must demonstrate a record of publications and a clear vision for future research plans.

Preferred Qualifications:

• A history of working with teams, especially that span multiple disciplines

• A demonstrated record of high-quality publications in topics related to the focus topics listed above.

• A promising research agenda that reflects theoretical creativity and empirical sophistication. Prior experience in proposal writing is a plus.

• A record of, or potential for, external research funding as appropriate for the discipline and tenure-home

• Prior teaching experience or the capacity to teach courses related to cyber-security, privacy and their behavioral/political aspects.

• Prior experience of teaching, or the capacity to teach, qualitative and/or quantitative research methods at the graduate or undergraduate levels.

• The willingness to teach in different modalities including face-to-face and online.

• Can contribute to the graduate programs related to the tenure School and the Cyber Security and Privacy cluster.

Additional Application Materials Required:

UCF requires all applications and supporting documents be submitted electronically through the Human Resources employment opportunities website, https://www.ucf.edu/jobs/.In addition to the online application, candidates should upload:

1) A cover letter

2) A curriculum vitae

3) A statement of research plans and goals

4) A statement of teaching philosophy including any experience/familiarity with student-centered learning approaches

5) Reprints of 2-3 recent key publications.

In the research statement candidates should include descriptions of their successful interdisciplinary research collaborations and how their current and future research can contribute to the cluster's overall interdisciplinary objectives. In the cover letter, candidates should address their background in one or more of the areas listed above, as appropriate.

The selected candidate will be required to submit official transcripts (and, as applicable, U.S. degree equivalency evaluations) documenting the conferral of their qualifying academic credentials.

NOTE: Please have all documents ready when applying so they can be simultaneously uploaded. Once the online submission process is finalized, the system does not allow applicants to submit additional documents later.

Questions regarding this search can be directed to Nayade Ramirez (Nayade.Ramirez@ucf.edu) or Dr. Cliff Zou at Changchun.Zou@ucf.edu.

Special Instructions to the Applicants:

N/A

Job Close Date:

Open until filled

Note to applicants: Please keep in mind that a job posted as 'Open until filled' may close at any time without notice. As such, we encourage you to submit your application and all required documentation as quickly as possible to ensure consideration for the posted position.

Are you ready to unleash YOUR potential?

As a next-generation public research university and Forbes-ranked top employer in Florida, we are a community of thinkers, doers, creators, innovators, healers, and leaders striving to create broader prosperity and help shape a better future. No matter what your role is, when you join Knight Nation, you'll play an integral role at one of the most impactful universities in the country. You'll be met with opportunities to connect and collaborate with talented faculty, staff, and students across 13 colleges and multiple campuses, engaging in impactful work that makes a positive difference. Your time at UCF will provide you with many meaningful opportunities to grow, you'll work alongside talented colleagues on complex projects that will challenge you and help you gain new skills and you'll have countless rewarding experiences that go well beyond a paycheck.

Working at UCF has its perks!UCF offers:

• Benefit packages, including Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Flexible Spending, and Employee Assistance Program.

• Paid time off, including annual (12-month faculty) and sick time off and paid holidays.

• Retirement savings options.

• Employee discounts, including tickets to many Orlando attractions.

• Education assistance.

• Flexible work environment.

• And more...For more benefits information, view the UCF Employee Benefits Guide click here.

Unless explicitly stated on the job posting, it is UCF's expectation that an employee of UCF will reside in Florida as of the date the employment begins.

Additional Requirements related to Research Positions:

Pursuant to Florida State Statute 1010.35, prior to offering employment to certain individuals in research-related positions, UCF is required to conduct additional screening. Applicants subject to additional screening include any citizen of a foreign country who is not a permanent resident of the U.S., or who is a citizen or permanent resident but is affiliated with or has had at least 1 year of education, employment, or training in China, Cuba, Iran, Russia, North Korea, Syria, or Venezuela.

The additional screening requirements only apply to research-related positions, including, but not limited to faculty, graduate positions, individuals compensated by research grants or contract funds, postdoctoral positions, undergraduate positions, visiting assistant professors, and visiting research associates.

Department

Work Schedule

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Expected Salary

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

The University of Central Florida is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer including Disabled/Vets. Click on UCF's Equal Opportunity Statement to view the President's Statement.

The UCF affirmative action plans for qualified individuals with disabilities and protected Veterans are available for inspection in the Office of Institutional Equity, Monday through Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., upon request.

As a Florida public university, UCF makes all application materials and selection procedures available to the public upon request.

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