Assistant Professor, Computing and Information Systems, with Emphasis On Cybersecurity

AB
Faculty of Science and Technology
9/14/2026
Virtual - Alberta
112,525.00 Annual
82,549.00  Annual
Permanent Full Time
Division Faculty of Science and Technology FTE 1.0
Location Name Virtual - Alberta Position Type Permanent Full Time
Location , AB Job ID 3130
Posted 9/14/2026 12:00:00 AM Wage Min 82549.0000
Closing Date 10/26/2026 12:00:00 AM Wage Max 112525.0000
 

Guided by Like No Other, Athabasca University’s (AU) strategic plan, AU’s approach to accessible yet transformative education and research is truly distinctive. Our academic mission is to remove barriers to post-secondary education for learners, regardless of their age, location, career, or educational background. 

Based in the beautiful region of Athabasca, Alberta, AU is one of four Comprehensive Academic and Research Universities (CARUs) in the province. We are a public, board-governed, open, and online university serving more than 37,000 students across Alberta, Canada, and around the world. 

AU seeks to be an agile and inclusive workplace in which all team members can grow, make their highest contribution, and each make a difference to our academic vision and mission.

Led by President Dr. Alex Clark, AU is embarking on an exciting new chapter. Drawing from five decades of growth in distance and online education, we aim to grow our position as Canada’s foremost innovator in flexible, online and accessible learning. With an inclusive Senior Leadership Team dedicated to empowering every team member to contribute, learn and thrive, AU stands poised for an exciting and ambitious next stage of development. 

 

Faculty of Science and Technology

The Faculty of Science and Technology (FST) is committed to fostering a meaningful and inclusive learning experience through excellence in teaching and scholarly activities. Our students, whether enrolled in programs or taking individual courses in science, computing science or architecture to fulfill other areas of study, are diverse in their demographic and geographical location.

In the realization of the themes of access, opportunity, and community, we aim to change lives and communities from local to global like no other university. In an increasingly complex world, our flexible model enables learners to obtain the necessary skills for future employment while developing their ability to be resilient, think creatively, and work collaboratively as global citizens.

Our faculty is home to emerging research, innovative courses, responsive student support, recognized programs, and community outreach. Please visit our website for more information: Faculty of Science and Technology.

FST's School of Computing and Information Systems is home to Bachelor of Science and Master of Science programs in Computing and Information Systems and a wide range of courses covering computer science, information systems, and data science. The school is also conducting advanced research and developing new programs and innovative courses in emerging computing fields, all supported by our dedicated faculty and staff.
 

The Position:

Athabasca University's Faculty of Science and Technology invites applications for a tenure-track position of Assistant Professor, Computing and Information Systems, with emphasis on Cybersecurity commencing Spring 2026. Reporting to the Chair, School of Computing and Information Systems and to the Dean, this position has three key areas of responsibility as follows:

Teaching and Learning: The faculty member will be responsible for teaching and course administration for existing courses in Computer Science (COMP) and Data Science (DATA), and potential development of graduate or undergraduate level courses to contribute to programs in the faculty, with a focus on cybersecurity. This includes the development and revision of course content and assessments using innovative pedagogical methods, providing support to students, and the supervision of academic experts involved in the course.

Research and Scholarship: The faculty member will be responsible for the development and maintenance of a sustained program of research that contributes to the overall strategic research goals of the faculty. This includes securing research funding, disseminating knowledge via traditional and innovative means, fostering research collaborations, and the supervision of undergraduate and graduate students.

Service to the Community: The faculty member will be responsible for service to the university and the larger community through committee participation, supporting initiatives, outreach, and service to their discipline.

Please note this is a permanent full-time [1.0 FTE] position started Spring 2026.
 

The Candidate of Choice:

The successful candidate will have a completed PhD in Computer Science, Computing and Information Systems, or a related field is required. Applications are encouraged from scholars researching in the areas of Cybersecurity.

Qualifications:

  • A completed Ph.D. in Computer Science, Computing and Information Systems, or a related field is required.
  • Familiarity with a variety of subjects in computer science and information systems, including computing foundations and theories as well as emerging topics in cybersecurity, data science, and/or artificial intelligence.
  • We are seeking a candidate with expertise in cybersecurity and an active research program in one or more of the following areas: cybersecurity, data science, big data, artificial intelligence, and machine learning.  Research programs in related fields of computer science may be considered.
  • The successful candidate is expected to teach in the Bachelor of Science and Master of Science programs in Computing and Information Systems and supervise students in both undergraduate and graduate levels for their research projects and theses.
  • Experience teaching online in undergraduate and/or graduate programs is preferred. 
  • Experience supervising graduate students is preferred. 
  • The candidate will be expected to develop new courses as determined by the needs of the programs and their research interests. The candidate will also coordinate and revise existing courses in the program. Evidence of research excellence at the graduate level and beyond is required.
  • Awareness and knowledge about open education is an asset. All educational credentials must be recognized in Canada.

The institutional academic job profile can be viewed at: Academic Role Description
 

Contact Information

For further information regarding this position, please contact Dr. Dunwei Wen, SCIS / Assoc Prof, Computing & Info Systems, at dunweiw@athabascau.ca. 
 

To Apply:

Applications will only be received and accepted through our online recruitment system. When applying, please include:

  • a letter of application
  • curriculum vitae
  • names of three referee

You may include in your application:

  • Evidence of research effectiveness including:
    • a research statement
    • a published research paper
    • other research outputs (knowledge dissemination that you want to highlight based on the CV)
  • Evidence of teaching effectiveness including 
    • a teaching philosophy statement
    • teaching or course evaluations if available
    • a sample syllabus
    • artifact of teaching initiatives (e.g. website, videos, podcasts, etc.)

Note: Applications from those with incomplete doctorates will not be reviewed.

Work at AU

A university like no other for people like no other

Athabasca University (AU) has widened access and increased opportunity to higher education for over 50 years for everyone by providing access to high-quality university education and professional development for students by removing physical, digital and systemic barriers to learning and success.   

An open and online university, AU is a unique hybrid workplace with more than 1300 staff working across five faculties and six portfolios. From AU’s home on the Indigenous lands of Treaty 6, Treaty 8 and Metis Northern Alberta, we are Alberta’s only rurally-situated university with:  

  • Over 37,000 students across five faculties—with 33,000 undergraduates and 4,000 graduate students  
  • 900 courses over 70 programs—with choices from micro-credential and baccalaureate to masters and doctoral levels  
  • Some of the country’s most well established and largest accredited academic and professional programs in business, registered nurse and nurse practitioner programs, science, and humanities & social sciences  
  • 560,000 alumni across 101 countries  

As Alberta and Canada’s premier and largest online university, AU’s commitment to widening access and participation has been consolidated under its current Like No Other Strategic Plan, which focuses on fostering a better and more equitable world via teaching, research, and impact in place and digital space. 

Under the Like No Other plan, AU seeks to be a trust- and team-oriented workplace focused on quality and innovation in which everyone is respected authentically and is and feels welcome.   

Putting our learners at the centre, AU seeks to reduce barriers to access, build opportunities for growth, and foster community and connection while integrating equity, diversity and inclusion, Indigenous conciliation, and transformative systems across our activities and impacts.   

AU’s centre for Indigenous peoples and communities, Nukskahtowin (or “Meeting Place”), is a welcoming place for all people and ideas to come together. Since 2001, the main goal has been to recognize and develop traditional Indigenous knowledge and to support, protect, and keep Indigenous knowledge, education, and oral traditions strong. After the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, we renewed our commitment to all forms of Indigeneity at AU.  

Acting from values, AU is committed in our systems and practices to working together to create a respectful, safe, and healthy environment in which to work and learn. The university, staff and students share the responsibility of creating and fostering a safe, healthy, and respectful working and learning environment.   

AU seeks to be and build a welcoming community and connection in place and digital space. Throughout the year, AU has a range of in-person, hybrid, and online activities that span working, team meetings, retreats, and staff celebrations. AU’s campus in Athabasca has been modernized over the past years to create an attractive and inclusive workplace for all people and teams with capacity for small to large gatherings and hybrid events, as well as portfolio, faculty, and organization-wide professional development, retreats, and celebrations. With onsite library, laboratory and makerspace facilities for staff and students, AU seeks to build culture and community throughout the year through a program of staff professional development and recreational activities.  

Considerations in applying  

A hybrid workplace, AU encourages applications from all eligible candidates—women, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation, persons of any gender identity and expression, and members of equity-deserving groups are encouraged to apply.  

AU is committed to fostering an inclusive, accessible workplace and learning environment that supports students and staff with disabilities, aiming to remove social, physical, and technological barriers. We welcome and encourage applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.  We are committed to creating an accessible and inclusive environment for all candidates. If you require accommodation at any stage of the recruitment process, please contact hrca@athabascau.ca.  

AU recognizes that life circumstances such as illness, disability, family and community responsibilities (e.g., maternity leave, parental leave, leaves due to illness) are expected to have an impact on any candidate’s record of achievement. These impacts should be taken into consideration during the hiring process.  

Athabasca First

Wherever possible, AU seeks to attract and hire qualified team members to reside in the Athabasca region of Alberta, Canada. We will offer relocation assistance for the right candidate should you decide to relocate to Athabasca. As a resident of the town or county of Athabasca, you can choose to work on and from our beautiful campus in Athabasca.  

To discover the Town and Region of Athabasca, go to: Visit Athabasca.

What AU Offers

Benefits and Pension eligibility differs based on employee group and may include:

  • Defined Benefits Pension Plan
  • Alberta Health Care
  • Extended Health Care
  • Life Insurance, Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance
  • Disability Coverage
  • Vacation
  • Office Closure between Christmas and New Year's Day
  • Discretionary Benefit Fund
  • AU Course Allowance
  • A Variety of Leaves (e.g., Maternity/Parental/Adoption, Compassionate Care, etc.)
  • Employee & Family Assistance Program (EFAP)

An offer of employment is conditional upon verification of educational credentials. All educational credentials must be recognized in Canada.  

E-Transcripts shared directly from your Post-Secondary Institution via email are acceptable. 

WES https://www.wes.org/ca/ may be used to verify international educational credentials. Processing time for verification of international qualifications may take up to one month; please plan accordingly. 

While all eligible applicants are encouraged to apply, Canadian Citizens and Permanent Residents will be given priority. Where applicants have equal skills, abilities, and experience, candidates residing within or willing to relocate to the County of Athabasca will be given preference. Successful applicants must reside in Alberta, Canada. Working outside of Canada is not supported by AU. You are legally not permitted to work for AU if you are living outside of Canada.