Tulane University seeks a visionary scholar with a strong commitment to student success to serve as the next Chair of the Department of Computer Science within the School of Science and Engineering. This is a pivotal leadership opportunity to guide a dynamic and growing department known for its interdisciplinary research, collegial culture, and commitment to innovation.
Founded in 1834 as the Medical College of Louisiana, Tulane became a private, nonsectarian institution in 1884 through the Tulane Education Fund, named after benefactor Paul Tulane. Today, Tulane is a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities and is recognized as an R1 institution. The University is organized into 10 academic divisions: Newcomb-Tulane College, A.B. Freeman School of Business, School of Architecture and Built Environment, School of Professional Advancement, School of Law, School of Liberal Arts, School of Medicine, Celia Scott Weatherhead School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, School of Science and Engineering, and the School of Social Work. This diverse mix of schools fosters rich opportunities for cross-disciplinary collaboration in both research and education.
Tulane offers a unique blend of rigorous academics and civic engagement, including a nationally recognized undergraduate public service requirement. Tulane plays a vital role in New Orleans’ talent pipeline, with a significant number of graduates remaining in Louisiana.
Since its reopening in 2012, the Department of Computer Science has experienced remarkable growth in faculty, student enrollment, and research activity. The department has 18 core faculty members (14 tenure stream), 199 undergraduate students, 22 master’s level students, and 41 Ph.D. students. The department is at the forefront of algorithms, artificial intelligence, computational biology, computer science education, computational geometry and topology, computer vision, data science and large data processing, game theory, image processing, machine learning, natural language processing, computer systems, networking, cloud computing optimization, privacy and security, scientific visualization, and software engineering. Furthermore, the CS department has strong interdisciplinary ties across medicine, public health, ethics, and community-engaged research. It offers a range of undergraduate and graduate programs and is home to leading initiatives such as the Center for Community-Engaged Artificial Intelligence and the Jurist Center for Artificial Intelligence.
Recent expansion, including multiple new faculty hires, the launch of a new major in Computer Science and a minor in Artificial Intelligence, and more than 120% increase in research funding over the past five years, makes this an ideal moment for a new Chair to build on the department’s momentum. Additionally, the establishment of the LA.IO and AI Research Institute by the Louisiana Economic Development Office, with over $100 million committed to innovation, signals a vibrant and emerging regional ecosystem for AI research and development.
As part of Tulane University’s strategic investment in research and faculty excellence, the incoming Chair will join a thriving academic community with the opportunity to build on strong institutional momentum. This role offers access to a wealth of university assets and interdisciplinary strengths, positioning the Chair to advance world-class scholarship in computing. Tulane’s collaborative culture, civic-minded ethos, and accessible scale create an ideal environment for a leader focused on Computer Science innovation with social impact.
Reporting to the Dean of the School of Science and Engineering, the Chair will hold a tenured faculty position and will build on the department’s great momentum by articulating a strategic vision aligned with university and school priorities, fostering excellence in scholarship, and expanding graduate enrollment. A strong emphasis will be placed on supporting early-career faculty through mentorship and professional development, while maintaining the department’s collaborative and inclusive environment. The Chair will additionally serve as a compelling advocate for the department, elevating its visibility across campus and within the broader academic, philanthropic, and industry communities. This is a rare opportunity to lead a department poised for continued growth and national distinction, within a university deeply committed to research, innovation, and community impact.
All applications, nominations, and inquiries are invited. Applications should include, as separate documents, a CV and a letter of interest addressing the themes in the leadership profile, which can be found below under Related Documents. For fullest consideration, candidate materials should be received by January 8, 2026. Applications, nominations, and inquiries can be directed to the WittKieffer consultants supporting this search: Cathryn Davis and Corin Edwards at [email protected].