Postdoctoral Associate or Visiting Assistant Professor - Cybersecurity

University at Albany, SUNY; City of Albany (NY); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

University at Albany, SUNY invites applications for the PRODIG+ Fellowship in the Cybersecurity Department of CEHC. The role supports research, teaching, and DEI initiatives, with mentorship from senior faculty and access to campus resources for research and teaching skill development.

Appointments will be Visiting Assistant Professor or Postdoctoral Associate, lasting 12 months with potential for a tenure-track outcome.

Qualifications

• Doctorate in Cybersecurity by August 21, 2027, or a related field prior to the start of the appointment.
• Be eligible to work in the United States without visa sponsorship.
• Demonstrate an academic/scholarly track record relevant to cybersecurity.
• Demonstrate personal, academic, and/or work experience engaging with Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) in the campus community.

Responsibilities

• Advancing cybersecurity research independently, and in collaboration with Cybersecurity faculty.
• Developing their teaching in selected undergraduate and/or graduate courses in cybersecurity.
• Mentoring undergraduate and/or graduate students in research.
• Dissertation committee participation.
• Potential supervision of doctoral research.
• Selected service to the department and college.

Skills

DEI experience

Scholarly track record

Research collaboration

Teaching experience

Education

Doctorate in Cybersecurity

Job description

About University at Albany:

The University atAlbany is a Carnegie-classified Research 1 institution driven by academic excellence, pioneering research and scientific discovery, and service to community. UAlbany's world-class faculty experts and approximately 17,500 students are creating new knowledge in fields such as artificial intelligence, semiconductor engineering, atmospheric and environmental sciences, cybersecurity, public health, public administration and social welfare while deepening our understanding of our world through scholarship and creative activity in the social sciences and humanities. As one of the most diverse public research institutions in the nation, the University is a national leader in public engagement, educational equity and social mobility. For over 180 years, UAlbany has molded bright, curious and engaged students and launched them toward success.

Located in Albany, New York, New York State's capital, the University is convenient to Boston, New York City and the Adirondacks.

Job Description:

About CEHC:

The mission of the College of Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security, and Cybersecurity (CEHC) is to bring together people, technology and knowledge to address the challenges of the 21st century. We accomplish this through high-quality academic programs, an interdisciplinary and entrepreneurial spirit, enthusiasm for learning and teaching, the operational application of knowledge, and cutting-edge research initiatives. CEHC is committed to ensuring that our learning, living, and working environments demonstrate respect for all and are free from inequality and discrimination. More about CEHC at https://www.albany.edu/cehc

About the Cybersecurity Department:

Our society is interconnected and increasingly dependent on our cyber-systems. From personal and business communications to smarter, greener energy grids, our reliance on the computer networks binding us all together grows daily. Securing these vital connections becomes ever more challenging. The Cybersecurity Department's goal is to help our students learn to face that challenge and to help provide digital protections to people and society in general. We offer minor, major, and MS programs in Cybersecurity, and are part of the University's interdisciplinary Information Science Ph.D. program, through its concentration in Information Assurance. Our programs prepare students for innovative cybersecurity careers protecting data, devices, computers and networks from a wide range of threats.

The fast-growing and dynamic Cybersecurity Department boasts a talented faculty with expertise across the various areas of cybersecurity. In addition, the Department shares CEHC and the University's goals of an engaging and student-focused program that both keeps pace with changes in cybersecurity and prepares students for the wide array of future experience that await them in the field. UAlbany cybersecurity students are part of a community that is dedicated to preparing them to participate in the increasingly necessary roles protecting people and their digital assets in the modern world.

More about the Cybersecurity Department at www.albany.edu/cehc/departments/cybersecurity.

The Cybersecurity Department of CEHC at the University at Albany, State University of New York, is seeking applicants for a Promoting Recruitment, Opportunity, Diversity, Inclusion and Growth Plus (PRODIG+) Fellowship within the Cybersecurity Department. The PRODIG+ Fellowship is designed with two primary goals: (1) increase the number and share of excellent and diverse faculty committed to advancing the ideals of diversity, equity, and inclusion; and (2) strengthen the pathway for retention and support of these candidates.

The Postdoctoral fellow will work with one or more faculty members on their ongoing research. This position will include expectations for research, writing, and publishing results in high-impact venues. The position title will be Visiting Assistant Professor or Postdoctoral Associate depending on the background and experience of the candidate. This is a 12-month position that is expected to be two years in duration and may lead to a potential appointment of a tenure track faculty position. Additional information on the PRODIG+ Fellowship can be found at https://www.suny.edu/prodig-plus/fellowship/.

The PRODIG+ Fellowship is open to any and all prospective candidates regardless of race, color, national origin, or sex, and is consistent with all current governing federal and state non-discrimination law. All application submissions will be assessed and evaluated in accordance with the required eligibility criteria.

Although the areas of specialization within the broader field of cybersecurity are open, preference will be given to candidates whose research program investigates the socio-technical, institutional, and human dimensions of cybersecurity. Areas of particular interest include, but are not limited to:

• Cybersecurity policy, international cyber practices, and internet governance
• Cyber law, regulatory compliance, and digital liability
• Usable security, human behavior, and organizational risk culture
• The economics of cybersecurity and cyber insurance
• Information integrity, digital platform policy, and surveillance ethics

While candidates must demonstrate a deep understanding of core cybersecurity concepts, priority will be given to scholars whose primary methodologies draw from the social sciences, public policy, law, human-computer interaction, or information science, rather than traditional low-level systems or network engineering. Candidates whose research areas intersect with scholars in CEHC and the wider University are also preferred.

The Fellow will work closely with other faculty to advance their personal research portfolio with peer-reviewed publications, presentations at national/international conferences, and grant proposal development. The Visiting Assistant Professor or Postdoctoral Associate will be mentored by experienced faculty and will have access to campus resources for both research and teaching skill development.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Advancing and promoting cybersecurity research independently, and in collaboration with Cybersecurity faculty.
• Developing their teaching in selected undergraduate and/or graduate courses in cybersecurity.
• Mentoring undergraduate and/or graduate students in research.
• Dissertation committee participation.
• Potential supervision of doctoral research.
• Selected service to the department and college.

Job Requirements:

• Fellows are welcome to focus on a wide range of scholarly topics and disciplinary areas with an emphasis on promoting and impacting DEI through scholarship, teaching, and service to the campus community.
• Applicants must demonstrate an ability to develop inclusive and equitable relationships within our diverse campus community.
• Applicants must demonstrate an ability to support diversity, equity, access, inclusion, and belonging relative to their role.

Requirements:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Applicants are expected to possess a Doctorate in Cybersecurity by August 21, 2027, or a related field prior to the start of the appointment, from an accredited college or University.
• Be eligible to work in the United States without a visa sponsorship. (Note: if you currently need sponsorship or will need it in the future to maintain employment authorization, you do not meet the eligibility requirements for this position)
• Demonstrate an academic/scholarly track record relevant to cybersecurity.
• Demonstrate personal, academic, and/or work experience engaging with Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and/or a commitment to facilitating and enhancing DEI efforts in the campus community. Such experience may include, but is not limited to, an academic/scholarly track record focused on DEI; work, volunteer/unpaid/community service; or related experience/expertise in serving underserved or vulnerable areas and/or populations.

Preferred Qualifications:

• A clear plan for developing a scholarly agenda in cybersecurity at UAlbany
• Participation in, applying for, or obtaining extramural research funding.
• Demonstrate breadth of interest, capability, and collegial relationship maturity across a wide range of areas relevant to cybersecurity research and teaching.
• Demonstrated experience with related disciplines, collaboration principles, and the operation of various sub-areas of cybersecurity. This includes understanding the ethical underpinnings, necessary protections, data sources, privacy, and areas of critical economic or societal importance.
• Ability to develop classes in existing and emerging subfields of cybersecurity, especially those aligned with the research they are engaging in at UAlbany.
• Preference will be given to candidates who are:
  • Current SUNY students, alumni, and/or Fellows.
  • From a low-income background (e.g., Pell-eligible as undergraduates), were first-generation college students (students whose parents have not earned a bachelor's degree), have overcome adversity, are AmeriCorps alumni, or are veterans.

Working Environment:

• Typical office environment

Additional Information:

Professional Rank and Salary Range:

Postdoctoral Associate, Salary commensurate with experience.

The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, or Clery Act, mandates that all Title IV institutions, without exception, prepare, publish and distribute an Annual Security Report. This report consists of two basic parts: disclosure of the University's crime statistics for the past three years; and disclosures regarding the University's current campus security policies. The University at Albany's Annual Security Report is available in portable document format [PDF] by clicking this link http://police.albany.edu/ASR.shtml

Pursuant to New York Labor Law 194-a, the University will not seek, request, or rely upon an applicant's wage or salary history in determining whether to interview, hire, or establish compensation for an applicant. Applicants are not required to provide wage or salary history information as a condition of employment consideration. Salary history may only be verified in the limited circumstances permitted by law.

If you have a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application process, including interviews, please contact Rhonda Haines, the University's Designee for Reasonable Accommodations (DRA) in the Office of Human Resources, at [e-mail] or [phone]; requests for accommodation will be considered in accordance with applicable law.

THE UNIVERSITY AT ALBANY IS AN EO/AA/IRCA/ADA EMPLOYER

Preference will be given to applications received by November4.