Description

LOCATION:

United States Naval Academy, Cyber Science Department

APPLICATION TIMELINE:

This position does not have a specific application deadline. Review of applications will begin on February 9, 2026 and continue until the position is filled.

ABOUT THE U.S. NAVAL ACADEMY:

The United States Naval Academy is a unique institution of higher learning located in Annapolis, Maryland. As a service academy and premier undergraduate college, the United States Naval Academy has its own distinctive niche amongst American higher education institutions. Our talented faculty and staff are united by a common purpose--to develop the next generation of officers to be exceptional  leaders in our naval service.

Every year more than one million people tour "the Yard" to experience what our employees already know  — the United States Naval Academy is a special place, with a special purpose. Employees will find  challenging and rewarding work; state-of-the-art facilities which inspire academic and athletic excellence; the benefits of Federal employment; and exceptional quality-of-life.

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

The U.S. Naval Academy invites applications for a tenure-track position at the rank of Assistant Professor, beginning in the Fall semester of 2026 or Spring semester of 2027 in the Department of Cyber Science. An applicant is expected to be proficient in computer programming and should be, at a minimum, familiar with Python and C languages.  Additionally, the applicant should have teaching and/or research experience in one or more of the following areas: Systems Security Engineering, Industrial Control Systems Security, Reverse Engineering, Networking and Network Security, Web and

Database Security, Cryptography, Artificial Intelligence, Computer Organization/Architecture, Embedded Systems, and Operating Systems. The Cyber Science Department at USNA is highly interdisciplinary, and our faculty are trailblazers for initiatives which advance cybersecurity education. These initiatives include a rapidly growing Cyber Operations major that is both ABET-accredited and designated as a Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Operations (CAE-CO) and Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD) by the National Security Agency - and a brand new, stateof-the-art building to support multi-disciplinary cybersecurity education and research. Because of our position as a service academy and our collaborative activities within the military and government cybersecurity and intelligence communities, we provide a unique opportunity for our faculty to work with cybersecurity thought leaders from all over the world, and to impact an important program with a substantial global impact. In 2019, an overview of our program was published in IEEE Computer: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/8677342 (https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/8677342)

Cyber Operations increasingly relies on technology and cyber space for warfighting capability, command and control, critical information exchange, and administrative needs. As a result, there is a growing demand for the United States Naval Academy to produce leaders with the appropriate awareness and skills to meet the nation’s operational cyber needs.

The successful applicant can expect to teach two or three classes, including lab courses, each semester with small class sizes (typically 16-20 students). The department is collegial and highly collaborative, and numerous opportunities exist for research and summer salary support from within the institution and with nearby laboratories.

Duties and responsibilities:

• Teaching and developing undergraduate courses focused on Cyber Operations. Tenure track faculty can expect approximately 10 contact hours per semester.
• Academic research in the area of Cyber Operations. Tenure track faculty are expected to be active researchers publishing research in appropriate peer-reviewed venues.
• Strong commitment to mentoring undergraduate students in the classroom and in research. 
• Perform rank-appropriate service activities for the Department, School, and Institution.
  
  

Candidates should have an interest in and understanding of cybersecurity or cyber operations as well as practical teaching and/or research experience involving areas listed previously.

This is an onsite, 10-month compensation model, excepted service federal faculty position with a 3-year renewable appointment, a highly competitive salary, and full federal benefits.

Salary Details: 

• Pay Band: AD-03
  • Will be dependent on degree standing at time of start date.  
• Approximate Starting Salary: $125,000 - $145,000
  • Based on 10-month compensation model
• Final Salary Will be determined based on:
  • Experience and qualifications of the selected candidate
    
    

MINIMUM AND PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Required Minimum Qualifications:

• A Ph.D. in Cyber Science, Applied Mathematics, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or Electrical Engineering (or a very closely related field), from an accredited institution. Anticipated completion of degree by June 2026 is acceptable.

Preferred Qualifications (We are particularly interested in candidates who have experience or demonstrated interest in some or all of the following areas):

• A commitment to undergraduate education, and evidence of teaching effectiveness at the undergraduate level.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct research, particularly with undergraduate students, that results in peer-reviewed publications.
• Ability to mentor active duty students.
• Excellent communication skills.
  
  

FINAL SELECTION FOR POSITION WILL BE BASED ON THE FOLLOWING ASSESSMENTS:

• Teaching Demonstration
• Presentation of the candidates research and scholarship program 
• On campus interviews
• Executive-Level Interview
  
  

HOW TO APPLY FOR POSITION:

Interested candidates should send application packages to Cyber Science Search Committee, at usna-cyberscience-faculty-search-2026-group@usna.edu (mailto:usna-cyber-science-faculty-search-2026group@usna.edu).

• Application Packages need to contain: Cover Letter
  • Please clearly indicate your status as a U.S. citizen in the cover letter, as this is required for the position.
  • Please address your understanding of and willingness to support the mission of the United States Naval Academy.
    
• 1-2 page Resume (a federal government requirement for employment, 2 pages maximum)
  • This document must be sufficient on its own to assess whether the applicant meets all “Required Minimum Qualifications.”
  • Your long-form CV is considered a “supplemental material” as listed below.
• Supplemental materials
  • Academic Curriculum Vitae
  • Teaching statement
  • Description of research plan
  • Contact information for three professional references
  • Any additional information the candidate would like to submit
    
    

Candidates should also submit a response to the narrative questions found here

(https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeoR8-kE40peeT4Ff6CmSfn1W_JTRC-

_PgN_PsK3FKwPPD9ew/viewform). Please note you will need to include the announcement number listed at the bottom of this announcement.

Please note: This position does not have a specific application deadline. Review of applications will begin on February

9, 2026 and continue until the position is filled.  Additionally, the ability to fill this position is contingent upon the availability of funding.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

• U.S. Citizenship Required
• Two-year trial period will typically be required.
• All civilian positions at USNA are subject to a background investigation. The selected candidate will be subject to a security investigation leading to successful completion of a background investigation with a favorable adjudication. The selectee's failure to meet this requirement will be grounds for termination. More information about the background investigation  process can be found at the Academic Dean and Provost’s website, https://www.usna.edu/Academics/Faculty-Information/Background-Investigation-Info.php (https://www.usna.edu/Academics/Faculty-Information/Background-Investigation-Info.php).
  
  

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

NOTICE TO VETERANS: If you are a veteran, you are encouraged to clearly identify your Veterans’ status in your cover letter or elsewhere in your application materials. Please DO NOT provide official documentation, such as a DD-214 or any personally identifiable information, at this time.

NOTICE TO CURRENT ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE MEMBERS: Separating service members will be eligible for employment to an excepted service position within 120 days of discharge given a Statement of Service can be provided. If selected, you will be required to submit a Statement of Service indicating your branch of service, rate/rank, all dates of service, your expected date of discharge and anticipated character of service (Honorable, General, etc.) The statement of service must be printed on command letterhead and signed by your command.

NOTICE TO RETIRING MILITARY: Retired service members cannot be appointed to DOD civilian positions within 180 days of retiring. As such, they must observe a 180 day waiting period starting from their date of retirement. USNA does not waive this waiting period requirement for excepted service positions.

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. 

The Department of the Navy provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities.  Applicants with disabilities who believe they require reasonable accommodation should contact our Human Resource Office to ensure that the Department of the Navy can consider such requests.  The decision to grant an accommodation will be made on a case by case basis.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Announcement: CYBERSCI-2026-1

The U.S. Naval Academy is an Equal Opportunity Employer