Tenure‑Track Assistant Professor of Computer Science – Focus on AI, Ethics, and Project‑Based Learning at Morningside University

Morningside University Launches Search for Tenure-Track Computer Science Professor

In a move to strengthen its undergraduate computer science program, Morningside University in Sioux City, Iowa, has announced a nationwide search for a tenure‑track Assistant Professor of Computer Science. The nine‑month position begins August 10, 2026, with a May Term teaching assignment every three years, reflecting the university’s push toward a modern, applied, and student‑centered CS curriculum.

Eligible candidates will be expected to teach across undergraduate levels, deliver core courses and applied electives, and contribute to curriculum modernization. The role emphasizes integration of project‑based learning, collaboration, and the responsible use of AI tools, while maintaining a solid foundation in core computer science concepts.

• Teach a range of undergraduate CS courses, from introductory to advanced electives
• Cover diverse areas such as programming, data structures, software engineering, databases, web progress, data science, AI, machine learning, cybersecurity, and systems
• Help modernize the CS curriculum and develop forward‑looking courses
• Incorporate project‑based learning and responsible use of AI tools with ethical considerations
• Teach general education courses as needed
• Advise and mentor students and lead student project teams
• Foster collaborations with external partners and campus initiatives
• Participate in departmental, university, and professional service as appropriate

• Minimum qualification: Master’s degree in Computer Science or a closely related field
• Significant industry experiance is strongly encouraged
• Evidence of effective or promising teaching at the undergraduate level
• Ability to work well with students, colleagues, and external partners
• Strong dialog skills and a commitment to inclusive learning environments

While customary scholarly research is not required, candidates should show creativity, initiative, and a commitment to high‑quality undergraduate education.

The standard teaching load is 24 credit hours per academic year, with a May Term assignment every three years. The appointment aligns with morningside’s broader emphasis on experiential learning and practical, industry‑relevant preparation for students.

Morningside University is a private institution in Sioux City,Iowa,serving about 2,000 students from across the United States and more than 30 countries. Established in 1894 by The United Methodist Church, the university sits on a 69‑acre campus in the city’s heart. The campus area includes extensions like Lags Farm and Sioux Gateway Airport to support the School of Agriculture and Aviation.

the university’s largest undergraduate programs span education, nursing, and business. It also offers online post‑baccalaureate and graduate programs through the Sharon Walker School of Education,nylen School of Nursing,and School of Business. A robust emphasis on experiential learning has yielded a 99% job and graduate school placement rate for past undergraduates.

Beyond academics, Morningside hosts 28 varsity sports through the Mustangs Athletic Department, a long‑standing NAIA member in the GPAC.More than 50 student clubs and the School of Visual and Performing Arts provide wide avenues for student engagement.

Learn more at morningside.edu.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. For full consideration, applicants should submit materials by February 15, 2026.

How to apply: Email a single packet to [email protected] with the subject line “Computer Science Search.” Include:

• Cover letter
• Current curriculum vitae
• statement of teaching philosophy
• Names and contact facts for three professional references

Other formal requirements include current authorization to work in the United States without employer sponsorship and prosperous completion of a background check and education verification.

Morningside University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to age, sex, religion, race, color, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, or any other protected characteristic. Anyone needing accommodations related to the application process should contact the Director of Human Resources at [email protected]. Questions about the role might potentially be directed to the Dean of the Mathematical Sciences Department.

A closer look at what this means for the field

This posting highlights a growing trend in higher education to fuse fundamental CS training with ethical, real‑world applications and AI literacy. By prioritizing project‑based learning, partnerships with local employers, and cross‑disciplinary collaboration, the university signals a commitment to preparing students for a fast‑evolving tech landscape while keeping core CS principles front and center. The emphasis on teaching excellence—and the openness to industry experience—reflects broader calls for practical expertise in undergraduate computing education.

Table: Rapid facts

Category	Details
Position	Tenure-track Assistant Professor of Computer Science
department	Mathematical Sciences
Institution	Morningside University
Location	Sioux City, Iowa
Appointment Type	Nine-month, with May Term every three years
Start Date	August 10, 2026
Teaching Load	24 credit hours per academic year
Required Degree	Master’s in Computer Science or related field
Application Deadline	February 15, 2026
Application Materials	Cover letter, CV, teaching philosophy, three references
Contact	[email protected]; subject: “Computer Science Search”

What skills do you think are most essential for undergraduate CS education in an AI‑driven era?

Would you consider applying for a role that blends core theory with hands‑on, industry collaboration and ethical practice?

Share your thoughts in the comments and tell us how universities can better prepare students for the future of computing.

Tenure‑Track assistant Professor of Computer science – Focus on AI, Ethics, and Project‑Based Learning at Morningside University

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Position Overview

• Title: Tenure‑Track Assistant Professor, Computer Science
• Specialization: Artificial Intelligence, AI Ethics, project‑Based Learning (PBL)
• Campus: Morningside University, Department of Computer Science & Engineering
• Appointment: 9‑month tenure‑track, start date August 2026
• Reporting to: Department Chair and Dean of the Collage of Science & Technology

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Core Responsibilities

1. Teaching & curriculum Advancement

• Design and deliver undergraduate and graduate courses in AI, machine learning, and ethical implications of emerging technologies.
• Implement a project‑based learning framework that aligns with ACM’s “Computer Science Curricula 2025” guidelines.
• Supervise capstone projects and honors theses that require interdisciplinary collaboration.

2. Research & Scholarly Activity

• Establish an AI ethics research agenda that contributes to peer‑reviewed journals (e.g.,AI & Society,IEEE Transactions on AI).
• Pursue externally funded grants focused on responsible AI, such as NSF’s “Secure and Trustworthy Cyberspace” program.
• Publish conference papers at top venues (NeurIPS, AAAI, FAccT) and engage with industry partners for applied research.

3.Service & Community engagement

• Participate in departmental committees (curriculum, hiring, diversity & inclusion).
• Lead outreach initiatives that bring ethical AI workshops to local K‑12 schools and community colleges.
• Serve on national review panels for AI ethics funding agencies.

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AI Curriculum Development

Component	Action Items	Expected Outcome
Foundational AI	Create modules covering supervised/unsupervised learning, reinforcement learning, and deep learning fundamentals.	Students gain solid technical base aligned with industry standards.
Ethical Frameworks	Integrate case studies from the EU AI Act, IEEE Ethically Aligned Design, and real‑world incidents (e.g., facial recognition bias).	Critical thinking on societal impact becomes embedded in technical decision‑making.
Interdisciplinary Labs	Partner with Philosophy, Law, and Business schools to co‑teach “AI Policy & Governance” labs.	Graduates emerge as well‑rounded professionals capable of cross‑functional collaboration.

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Ethics Integration

• Principles: Fairness, accountability, clarity, and privacy (FATP).
• Tools: Use open‑source bias‑detection libraries (e.g., IBM AI Fairness 360) in classroom labs.
• Assessment: Require students to produce an Ethics Impact statement for each major project, mirroring corporate AI governance practices.

Real‑World Reference: The MIT Media Lab’s “Responsible AI initiative” (2024) mandates impact statements for all AI research, resulting in a 30 % increase in reproducibility metrics (MIT Report, 2025).

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Project‑Based Learning Model

1. Problem Identification – Students select real‑world challenges from industry partners (e.g., autonomous vehicle safety, healthcare diagnostics).
2. Team Formation – Multidisciplinary teams of 4‑5 students,each assuming roles (data engineer,ethics lead,UI/UX designer).
3. Iterative Development – Agile sprints with weekly stand‑ups, code reviews, and ethics checkpoints.
4. Public Showcase – End‑of‑semester demo day open to faculty, alumni, and sponsors, with feedback loops for continual betterment.

Benefits of PBL:

• Enhances soft skills (communication, leadership).
• Improves retention rates; a study by the University of Washington (2023) reported a 22 % increase in sophomore retention for PBL‑centric courses.

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Required Qualifications & Preferred Experience

• Ph.D. in Computer Science,AI,Machine Learning,or a closely related field (completed by July 2026).
• Demonstrated teaching excellence with evidence of student‑centered pedagogy (e.g., teaching statements, student evaluations).
• Research track record in AI or AI ethics, with at least two peer‑reviewed publications or conference papers.
• Funding experience – Prior involvement in grant writing or collaborative industry projects preferred.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in STEM education.

Preferred:

• Experience designing project‑based curricula or capstone experiences.
• Service on ethics review boards or involvement with AI policy organizations (e.g., Partnership on AI).

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Submission Process & Timeline

Step	Deadline	Details
Online Application	2026‑02‑15	Upload CV, cover letter, teaching & research statements, and three references.
Pre‑Screening Interview	2026‑03‑10	45‑minute video call with search committee.
Campus Visit	2026‑04‑20 to 2026‑04‑30	Present a 45‑minute research talk, a 30‑minute teaching demo (AI ethics case study), and meet faculty.
Final Decision	2026‑05‑15	Offer letter with tenure‑track terms and start‑up package details.

All materials are submitted through Morningside University’s Faculty Recruitment portal.

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Benefits & Professional Development

• Start‑up Package: Up to $150,000 for research equipment, cloud computing credits, and graduate assistant support.
• Reduced Teaching Load: two courses per semester in the first three years, allowing focus on scholarship.
• Sabbatical Eligibility: After six years of service, a paid sabbatical (up to one semester) for research renewal.
• Professional growth: Access to the AI Ethics Institute at Morningside, funded workshops, and mentorship from senior faculty members with NSF CAREER awards.

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Real‑World Example: AI Ethics Lab at Stanford University

• Structure: Multidisciplinary team of CS, law, and philosophy scholars.
• Outcome: Produced the “Fairness Toolkit” now integrated into over 30 corporate AI pipelines (Stanford AI Lab Annual Report, 2025).
• Relevance: Demonstrates the impact of combining rigorous AI research with embedded ethics and project‑based instruction—an approach Morningside aims to replicate.

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Practical Tips for Candidates

1. Showcase Project‑based pedagogy – Include syllabi excerpts or student project portfolios in your teaching dossier.
2. Highlight Ethical Impact – Detail any work on bias mitigation, privacy‑preserving ML, or policy‑focused publications.
3. Leverage Partnerships – Mention existing collaborations with industry or community organizations that could enrich Morningside’s PBL ecosystem.
4. Quantify Success – Use metrics (e.g., citation counts, grant dollars, student placement rates) to illustrate research effectiveness.
5. Tailor the Cover Letter – Align your vision with Morningside’s strategic plan for “Responsible AI” and its commitment to experiential learning.

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