Dissertation Chair

Position Summary:

Capitol Technology University offers over fifty cutting-edge, STEM-aligned, virtually-delivered Doctoral and Master’s programs that promote critical thinking and help students conduct innovative and practical research that contributes to their respective disciplines. To support students in these programs, Capitol is seeking qualified candidates to serve as part-time Doctoral and Master’s Degree Mentors/Chairs and Committee Members. Capitol seeks service-minded mentors with doctoral credentials in the STEM fields aligned with our distance-based degree programs (https://www.captechu.edu/degrees-and-programs/doctoral-degrees). Qualified applicants, transcripts, and materials will be reviewed and processed in preparation for future assignments, based on current and future student enrollment needs.

The Capitol dissertation/thesis committee consists of members who fill the following roles:

• Dissertation and Thesis Mentors/Chairs: with a mentoring, supportive mindset. Mentors facilitate and guide candidates through the research process pursuant to university guidelines and best practices in graduate education while coordinating committee members to support student progress.
• Dissertation Committee Members: works with students and Mentors/Chairs to provide instruction, guidance, and feedback in disciplinary and/or methodological topics throughout the thesis or dissertation process.

Basic Responsibilities

• Provide high quality instruction, direction, and mentorship for assigned students throughout all phases of the dissertation and thesis processes with the goal of producing high-quality research.
• Provide supportive, developmental, and timely mentoring throughout the student's process of conceiving, researching, writing, and revising the dissertation or thesis.
• Facilitate the successful completion of all IRB protocols.
• Prepare students for their dissertation or thesis defense.
• Collaborate with the students’ committee members.
• Comply with all pertinent Capitol Technology University and Graduate School policies and procedures.

Necessary Skills and Traits for success

•  Must possess and employ a coaching or mentoring mindset and supportive demeanor while maintaining academic standards appropriate for high quality Doctoral and Master’s student work.
•  Time management skills with the ability to commit time on a weekly basis, flexible to meet student needs, to fully support student progress.
•  Attention to detail.
•  Technical proficiency.
•  Exceptional verbal communication, written communication, and interpersonal abilities.
•  Collegiality and good humor appropriate to a supportive, inclusive virtual environment.
•  Ability to utilize (or ability to learn) Canvas, our online Learning Platform.

Necessary Qualifications

• Doctorate degree from an accredited institution in: Computer Sciences, Artificial Intelligence, Astronautical Engineering, Data Science, Cybersecurity and Cyberpsychology, Intelligence and Global Security, Quantum Computing or closely related degrees.
• A minimum of three years of post-doctorate mentoring/teaching experience in graduate education.
• Experience in research design/methodology.
• Evidence of quality research completed in the last ten years [e.g. publications in peer reviewed journals, conference presentations, program evaluation reports, etc.].
• Online instructional experience and working in a virtual team environment preferred.
•  Service as dissertation chair or co-chair for students who have successfully completed their dissertations, preferred.

Physical Demands

There are limited physical demands; however, this position requires sitting occasionally for extended periods of time, and repetitive motions for tasks such as operating a computer mouse and keyboard, and hearing and speaking on the telephone.  The candidate must be able to pull, bend, grasp, and occasionally lift up to 20 lbs. with or without accommodation.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Capitol Technology University is proud to be an equal opportunity employer committed to hiring a diverse and inclusive workforce. As stated in our Equal Employment Policy, part of our commitment to a diverse and inclusive workforce, Capitol Technology University provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and employment applicants without regard to unlawful considerations of sex, sexual orientation, gender (including gender identity and/or expression), pregnancy, race, color, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, religion or similar philosophical beliefs, disability, marital and civil union status, age, genetic information, veteran status, personal political views or any personal attribute or characteristic that is protected by applicable local, state or federal laws.