Assistant Professor of Practice - Systems Administration

Full-time, benefits-eligible position starting Spring 2027 (January) or Fall 2027 (August). On-campus in Madison, South Dakota.

About the role

The position supports Dakota State’s undergraduate programs in computing and cybersecurity by bringing current, real-world systems administration and enterprise technology experience into the classroom. The successful candidate will teach applied courses and provide hands-on learning experiences focused on administering, securing, automating, troubleshooting, and maintaining modern computing infrastructure, with emphasis in areas such as Windows and Linux systems administration, enterprise applications, network infrastructure, virtualization platforms, cloud technologies, scripting and automation, identity and access management, infrastructure security, and systems integration.

Responsibilities

• Teach applied undergraduate and, as qualifications permit, graduate courses in systems administration, networking, infrastructure, and related areas.
• Develop technically rigorous, hands-on laboratories and learning experiences reflecting industry practices.
• Maintain and continuously update course content as technologies and professional practices evolve.
• Mentor students pursuing careers in systems administration, networking, infrastructure, cybersecurity, cloud computing, and related fields.
• Develop relationships with employers and industry partners.
• Contribute through curriculum development, student advising, university service, and recruitment activities.
• Participate in scholarly, professional, or applied activities appropriate to the position and academic rank.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, information systems, cybersecurity, information technology, or a closely related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience.
• Significant professional experience in systems administration, enterprise infrastructure, or a closely related technical field.
• Technical expertise in Windows and/or Linux systems administration.
• Effective written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to teach on campus in Madison, South Dakota.
• Must be authorized to work in the U.S. Sponsorship is not available for this position.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience administering enterprise or production computing environments.
• Experience across multiple areas such as networking, virtualization, cloud infrastructure, identity and access management, scripting and automation, or infrastructure security.
• Experience teaching, training, or mentoring others in technical environments.

About the Beacom College of Computer and Cyber Sciences

The Beacom College is a national leader in technology-focused education and research, with undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral programs spanning artificial intelligence, computer science, cyber defense, cyber operations, cyber and network security, data privacy, and related emerging technologies. The College has particular depth in cybersecurity, with doctoral programs in Cyber Operations and Cyber Defense and extensive applied coursework and research in offensive and defensive cybersecurity. Dakota State University holds all three National Security Agency Centers of Academic Excellence designations in Cyber Defense, Cyber Operations, and Cyber Research. The College also supports growing programs and research in artificial intelligence and quantum computing, providing opportunities for interdisciplinary work at the intersection of cybersecurity and emerging technologies.

About Dakota State University

Dakota State University is a special-focus STEM university emphasizing computing, information technologies, and cyber sciences across all areas of human endeavor. DSU has established a reputation as a distinguished regional and national leader in computer science and cybersecurity education and research. The university embraces opportunities to provide students, faculty, and future collaborators with the most innovative technologies and facilities, produce transformative research and development, and create an outstanding community of faculty, students, and programs at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels. DSU is home to the Madison Cyber Labs (MadLabs®), a cyber R&D hub with research clusters that explore and advance technology applications, workforce development, business expansion, economic growth, and policy improvement across multiple disciplines and fields. DSU also has a growing Applied Research Lab and is one of two state institutions in the Center for Quantum Information Science & Technology. DSU holds three prestigious designations from the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security as National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense, Cyber Research, and Cyber Operations, making DSU one of only nine institutions that hold all three designations.

Benefits

• Flexible benefits package including health, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, hospital indemnity insurance, flexible spending account, health savings account, and health reimbursement account.
• South Dakota Retirement System with 6% fully matched contributions; vested after three years of service.
• Paid sick leave.
• Reduced tuition for education.
• Professional liability coverage.
• Paid family leave.