Associate/Full Professor and Program Director of Forensic Sciences

Campus Location: Wichita, KS - WSU Main Campus

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8am-5pm

Export Compliance Requirement: No export control requirement.

Job Story:

Wichita State University seeks an exceptional senior scholar–practitioner to lead and expand its Forensic Sciences programs within the historic School of Criminal Justice, founded in 1934, making it the second-oldest program of its kind in the nation. Forensic Sciences includes two newly approved graduate programs, the M.S. in Forensic Biology and the M.S. in Forensic Firearms, and an established undergraduate program in Forensic Science. With a standing as one of the best in the nation, our School continues to set benchmarks in criminal justice, policing science, and crime intelligence, fueled by a legacy that includes the first-ever police science curriculum launched by O. W. Wilson.

This 12-month appointment as Director of Forensic Sciences will be at the professor or associate professor rank with tenure, depending on credentials and experience. The Director administers the forensic programs and develops and maintains relationships with the WSU Midwest Criminal Justice Institute and external agencies to advance the academic and programmatic mission of the School of Criminal Justice and the specialized offerings of the forensic programs. The Director will lead efforts for WSU forensic sciences programs to become fully accredited by the Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission (FEPAC). Accordingly, we are especially interested in candidates with leadership experience, in addition to fulfilling teaching duties. Applicants should be capable of establishing and sustaining an active research program that engages undergraduate and graduate students in the forensic science programs.

Along with the new graduate programs in Forensic Biology and Forensic Firearms, the School of Criminal Justice offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees in criminal justice, a fully online bachelor’s degree in homeland security, and a bachelor’s degree in forensic science.

Wichita State University, located in the Air Capital of the World, is a leading urban research institution with a dynamic Innovation Campus, a 120-acre hub that has earned the prestigious 2023 Emerging Research Park Award. It features more than 50 industry partners, including heavyweights in law enforcement, aviation, and defense such as the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Wichita Police Department, Sedgwick County Sheriff, Airbus, Spirit AeroSystems, Textron Aviation, and the Department of Defense via the National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR). WSU is the only public university in the nation with an onsite facility for the ATF).

Through strategic alignment with industry partners WSU faculty and students have unparalleled access to cutting-edge research facilities, including on-campus labs for the ATF’s Crime Gun Intelligence Center, NNCTC II-NIBIN correlation, Wichita Crime Gun Intelligence Center (WCGIC), and ATF National Forensic Crime Gun Intelligence Laboratory. These assets provide opportunities for students and faculty to foster ongoing collaboration with federal agencies, industry, and DOD initiatives.

WSU offers a unique combination: a nationally recognized criminal justice legacy, direct access to prestigious law enforcement and defense partners, and a catalytic Innovation Campus that bridges classroom, lab, and field. We invite forward-thinking leaders to join us in guiding the next wave of forensic education, research, and interagency impact.

Job Summary:

Teach courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels using various instructional deliveries (e.g., traditional (face-to-face), hybrid, and fully online). To foster applied learning into the course design and engage with industry and local business community applied projects. To advance knowledge through scholarly activities (e.g., active involvement in committees, student mentorship, recruitment and retention initiative, outreach activities, etc.)

Essential Functions:

Meet expectations for research, teaching, and service as set forth by the department and college.

Job Duties:

• Provide leadership and management of the Forensic Science programs in collaboration and consultation with the Director of the School of Criminal Justice, ensuring alignment of program activities and outcomes with the vision and objectives of the School of Criminal Justice.
• Directly manage the M.S. in Forensic Biology
• Provide leadership and consultation to the coordinators of the M.S. in Forensic Firearms and the bachelor’s program in forensic science.
• Develop strategic plans for forensic science programs, including strategies for student recruitment, retention, and enrollment.
• Oversee admissions to the forensic programs and coordinate with the graduate school for student progress and graduation.
• Collaborate on engagement activities to enhance visibility and success related to items of mutual interest to the School of Criminal Justice, the Midwest Criminal Justice Institute, and the various local and national law enforcement partners.
• Monitor faculty and budgetary resources and adjust or request resources as needed.
• Lead efforts to obtain and maintain FEPAC accreditation. 

As tenured faculty:

• Teach in the forensic biology program.
• Establish an active research program, including seeking external funding for research projects, individually or collaboratively, with faculty or local/state agencies.
• Mentor and advise students.
• Participate in departmental, college, and university service activities

Faculty Requirements:

• Ph.D. in a field appropriate for at least one forensic concentration that is offered by the program: or related disciplines offered by WSU (CJ, Forensic Biology, Firearms, Toolmarks, etc.)

Required Experience:

• Credentials and experience commensurate with appointment at senior rank with tenure.
• Advanced skills and experience as an academic forensic scientist that includes appropriate educational, research, and service contributions to forensic science; OR equivalent relevant experience as a forensic science practitioner in an operational forensic science laboratory setting.
• Experience in a leadership role.
• Demonstrated excellence in teaching in higher education.
• Experience with application for external research funding.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Advanced knowledge of forensic laboratory policies and procedures.
• Ability to work productively with colleagues, students, and law enforcement partners.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively work with a wide range of students, faculty, staff, and other partners.
• Commitment to fostering an environment in which all students, faculty, staff, and community partners feel welcome, valued, supported, and engaged.

Preferred Qualifications:

• FEPAC (Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission) or related accreditation experience.
• Experience mounting new academic programs.

Additional Information:

To apply, please complete the Faculty Application which includes contact information for three (3) professional references and upload the following:
1. A cover letter addressing interest, qualifications, and experience aligns with the position.
2. Curriculum vitae.
3. Teaching and Research Statement: A statement describing (i) teaching approach and experience including course topics the candidate can teach, mentoring experience, and any evidence of teaching effectiveness and (ii) any research accomplishments and future research plans, emphasizing how these might involve students or connect to interdisciplinary and industry-related opportunities at WSU.
Review of applications will begin on October 31st and will continue until the position has been filled.

Physical Requirements:

Ability to remain in a stationary position. Frequent 60-90%
Ability to operate a computer and other office equipment including but not limited to phone, printers, copiers, and calculators. Frequent 60-90%
Ability to communicate with others and accurately exchange information. Frequent 60-90%

Additional Physical Requirement:

Sedentary: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. Sedentary work involves remaining stationary most of the time. 

Interested in applying or learning more? Visit the official job posting here: http://jobs.wichita.edu/cw/en-us/job/497860?lApplicationSubSourceID=11261