Assistant Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering

Position Title Assistant Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering About the University

Western Washington University, with over 15,000 students in seven colleges and the graduate school, is nationally recognized for its educational programs, students and faculty. The campus is located in Bellingham, Washington, a coastal community of 90,000 overlooking Bellingham Bay, the San Juan Islands and the North Cascades Mountain range. The city lies 90 miles north of Seattle and 60 miles south of Vancouver, British Columbia. Western has additional sites in Anacortes, Bremerton, Everett, Port Angeles, and Poulsbo. Western is recognized nationally for its successes, such as being named one of the top public master's-granting institutions in the Pacific Northwest for 25 years in a row by U.S. News & World Report.

Western Washington University is committed to achieving excellence through advancing inclusive success, increasing our Washington impact, and focusing on transformational education grounded in the liberal arts and sciences and based on innovative scholarship, research, and creative activity. Western's greatest strength is the outstanding students, faculty, staff, and alumni/ae who make up its community. Western supports an inclusive governance structure for all and provides a learning and working environment in which everyone can thrive. In pursuit of this excellence, individual employees are expected to establish and maintain productive and effective inclusive working relationships amongst diverse populations including staff, faculty, administration, student, and external constituents. Further, individual employees are expected to have the ability to operationalize sustainability concepts (economic, societal, environmental) into all aspects of performing their job duties.

About the Department

The Electrical and Computer Engineering department is the newest department in the WWU College of Science and Engineering. Originally a program within the Engineering and Design Department, we became a standalone department in response to growing student and industry demand and timed with a move to the newly constructed state-of-the-art Kaiser Borsari Hall. The new building will advance our commitment to student-centered learning and provide research and development space for faculty and student projects. The department offers an ABET-accredited undergraduate degree and is launching a new master’s program in Electrical and Computer Engineering in Fall 2025.   

The Electrical and Computer Engineering Department has a strong commitment to teaching and scholarship that develops industry-ready graduates through a combination of creative problem-solving, analytical skills development, and experiential learning. Most courses have a strong laboratory component to prepare students with the modern tools and processes used in industry. 

The Department and the College of Science and Engineering are committed to creating equitable and inclusive learning and working environments for their students, faculty, and staff. A number of faculty-led initiatives and committees focus on accessibility, diversity, equity, and inclusion in the classroom and beyond. Student clubs such as the Society of Women Engineers, Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS), and Out in Science, are also vital to advancing inclusion within the College.  

About the Position

Exceptional scholars from all fields of electrical and computer engineering are encouraged to apply, especially those who bring expertise that complements or expands upon strengths of the WWU Electrical and Computer Engineering Department Faculty. 

The position involves developing and teaching lab-based electrical and computer engineering courses, conducting research, advising students, engaging with the community, and service to support the electrical and computer engineering department and the university. This position offers a unique and exciting opportunity to be part of the growth of the department, including the development of new curricula, research areas, and laboratory facilities.  

The position requires a strong commitment to teaching and scholarship that supports the department’s mission. Responsibilities include teaching core and service courses in electrical and computer engineering, as well as developing and teaching advanced/ graduate-level courses in the candidate’s area of specialization. Scholarship responsibilities include developing and maintaining a relevant program of scholarship that engages our students. It is expected that the successful candidate will fulfill teaching, scholarly, service, and mentoring responsibilities in ways that provide an equitable and inclusive environment for all students, faculty, and staff. 

Required Qualifications

• A Ph.D. in electrical and/or computer engineering or a closely related discipline at the time of application or ABD at the time of application. If ABD, all degree requirements must be completed by June 15th of the first year of employment.  
• Teaching and research interests and experience closely aligned with the mission of the Department.  
• Commitment to creating and cultivating inclusive and accessible classroom and learning environments.  
• Commitment and ability to teach core courses, service courses, and advanced courses in areas relevant to electrical and computer engineering. This includes the commitment and ability to develop and teach graduate-level courses as part of the new master’s program. 
• Commitment and ability to maintain a relevant program of scholarly activity.  
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.  
• Teaching and research interests that complement or expand upon existing strengths of the WWU Electrical and Computer Engineering Department Faculty.  
• Successful prior teaching experience in areas relevant to electrical and computer engineering. 
• Recent, relevant experience in industry, industry-sponsored grants, commercialization, and/or industry relations. 
• Demonstrated ability and experience in developing programs or scholarship relevant to creating and cultivating inclusive, accessible classroom and learning environments. 

Preferred Qualifications Conditions of Employment All employees must comply with our Immunization policies, including Proof of Rubeola Measles Immunity within 60-days of hire. Please reach out to HR@wwu.edu if you need information regarding medical or religious exemption and applicable accommodations.

Salary

The anticipated starting salary range for this tenure-track assistant professor position is $95,000–$100,000, depending on qualifications and experience. The full salary range for this position classification, as currently reflected among faculty in the department, is $98,000–$114,000. Salaries above the starting range are generally achieved through collectively bargained annual adjustments that accrue with continued service at WWU. Relocation assistance may be available per University guidelines. Salary and Start-up funds are to be determined upon being offered the position.

Benefits Information Benefits Overview for Faculty Positions

Bargaining Unit

 United Faculty of Western Washington

Application Instructions

All applications must include the following six items. Incomplete applications will not be considered. 

1. Curriculum Vitae

2. Letter Of Application

A statement that addresses how you meet the required and preferred qualifications for the position, your ability and commitment to fulfill the position responsibilities, and your available starting date. 

1. Teaching Statement

A statement of your teaching experience, interests, and plans for contributing to the department’s curriculum, including core, advanced, and graduate-level courses. You are encouraged to discuss how you create inclusive, accessible classroom environments and support student learning through effective pedagogy. If available, include evidence of teaching effectiveness, such as a summary of evaluations, students feedback, peer observations, or a link to a teaching portfolio. Describe experience, if any, coordinating undergraduate student or capstone projects, particularly those sponsored by industry.  

1. Research Statement

A statement of your research background, current interests, and future directions. Include any experience mentoring undergraduate or graduate students and/ or collaborating with industry or external partners. You are encouraged to discuss how your research engages students, contributes to the academic or professional community, and complements or expands upon existing strengths of the WWU Electrical and Computer Engineering Department.  

5.    Service and Engagement Statement  

A statement describing past experiences and approach to service and engagement within the department, university, profession, or community. This may include outreach, advising, or other efforts outside the classroom that support student success and promote access, equity, and inclusion in your discipline or institution.   

6.   References

The names and contact information of at least three professional references. Please do not send letters of recommendation; references for short-listed candidates will be directly contacted.

Closing Date Notes

Review of applications will start December 1, 2025, and will continue until the position is filled. 

Western Washington University (WWU) is an equal opportunity employer. In compliance with applicable laws, WWU does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, age, citizenship or immigration status, pregnancy, use of protective leave, genetic status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, creed, religion, veteran or military status, disability or the use of a trained guide dog or service animal (including a service animal in training) by a person with a disability, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law, in its programs or activities, including employment, admissions, and educational programs. See WWU’s Policies on Prohibiting Discrimination Based on A Protected Class and Prohibiting Discrimination Based on Sex. Inquiries may be directed to the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance, Title IX and ADA Coordinator, Western Washington University, Old Main 126 (MS 9021), 516 High Street, Bellingham, WA 98225; 360.650.3307 (voice) or 711 (Washington Relay); crtc@wwu.edu

WWU is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. To request this document in an alternate format or to request an accommodation, please contact Human Resources Disability Services, 360.650.3751 or 711 (Washington Relay).

Annual Security and Fire Safety Report: This report is provided pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act ("The Clery Act"). It includes statistics for the previous three calendar years concerning reported crimes that occurred on Western's campus; in certain off-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by Western; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus. The report also includes institutional policies concerning campus security, such as policies concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. You can obtain a copy of this report in printed or alternate formats by contacting the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs at vpsa.office@wwu.edu. The report can be found at: Annual Security and Fire Safety Report.

All new employees must comply with the immunization policy and show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Service before beginning work at WWU. A thorough background check will be conducted on all new hires and rehires, which includes a sexual misconduct background check.