Farnam Jahanian, co-founder of information technology security firm Arbor Networks and chairman of the University of Michigan's computer science and engineering department, has accepted a position at the National Science Foundation.

Jahanian will lead NSF's Directorate for Computer & Information Science & Engineering (CISE). The job, which starts Feb. 1, is based in Arlington, Va., spokesperson Dana Topousis said in an e-mail.

Farnam Jahanian, co-founder of Arbor Networks

Photo courtesy of NSF

Jahanian will maintain his status as a U-M faculty member during his appointment and is expected to return to U-M after it expires, U-M spokesman Steve Crang said. However, he is stepping down as chair of the computer science and engineering department, and U-M is seeking a replacement. NSF will pay Jahanian's salary.

Jahanian, who was not available for comment this afternoon, co-founded Arbor Networks in 2000. The firm, a U-M spinoff, was sold in August to Plano, Texas-based Tectronix Communications, which expects to add 30 jobs to the company's 90-person Ann Arbor operation by the end of 2011. Jahanian was chairman of Arbor but stepped down after the acquisition.

"His extensive knowledge of and research in network infrastructures and his support for entrepreneurship and commercialization have already had great consequences for the nation's development of cybersecurity," said NSF acting director Cora Marrett in a statement. "And he has made tremendous strides in showcasing how innovative university research can be paired with private industry. He will be a tremendous addition to NSF."

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