The Agribusiness Department in the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA, is seeking a full-time, academic year, tenure‐track Assistant Professor starting January 6, 2025 or September 11, 2025. 

The successful candidate will build on Cal Poly’s strong position within the California agricultural industry to train the next generation of agricultural leaders. Teaching responsibilities may include courses such as agricultural policy, advanced agricultural policy, basic and intermediate agricultural economics, statistics, data analytics, quantitative management methods, agribusiness management, and human resource management. Collaborations with other departments in the college, and with other colleges, are encouraged.

Duties may include but are not limited to supervision of undergraduate senior projects and advising student clubs and national competition teams. The successful candidate is expected to participate in scholarly activities (i.e., research, grant writing, publications, presentations) as part of their professional development. Research collaborations with undergraduate students is particularly valued. The successful candidate is also expected to provide service on committees for the department, college, and university, as well as service to state, national, and professional organizations.

Salary commensurate with education, qualifications, and experience of the individual selected. Anticipated hiring ranges:

Assistant Professor: $90,948 - $105,156

At California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, we believe that cultivating an environment that embraces and promotes diversity is fundamental to the success of our students, our employees, and our community. Bringing people together from different backgrounds, experiences, and value systems fosters the innovative and creative thinking that exemplifies Cal Poly’s values of free inquiry, cultural and intellectual diversity, mutual respect, civic engagement, and social and environmental responsibility. Cal Poly's commitment to diversity informs our efforts in recruitment, hiring and retention. California Polytechnic State University is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

The position requires an earned doctorate in Agricultural Economics, Resource Economics, Economics, Business Administration, Management, or related field. Candidates nearing completion of the doctorate (ABD) may be considered but must provide proof that the doctorate was awarded prior to the start of the appointment. Candidates must demonstrate excellence in teaching and a strong interest in undergraduate teaching, effective communication, interpersonal skills, and the ability to be a productive team player.  Candidates must also demonstrate, or show a potential for, an ability to secure external funding and publish research.  The ability to interact well with peers, students, industry partners, and the general public is essential. Candidates must demonstrate a commitment to diversity and inclusion, student-led learning, and be proficient in oral and written English.  Successful candidates will be required to demonstrate a commitment to student-centered learning and teaching, as well as the ability to collaboratively work in multidisciplinary settings.   

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Preference will be given to candidates with applied and innovative research backgrounds, and with research into areas with clear application to California Agriculture. Industry experience, university level teaching experience, a record of successful academic research, the demonstrated ability to generate external funding, and fluency in Spanish will all be given preference. Particular attention will be afforded to candidates who have productive records of teaching, scholarly activity, and student-involved research that would strengthen current department activities. 

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

The person holding this position is considered a 'mandated reporter' under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.

Following a conditional offer of employment, a background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate may start work with Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may result in the withdrawal of the offer of employment. Note: Cal Poly cannot deny an applicant a position solely or in part due to a criminal conviction history until it has performed an individualized assessment and linked the relevant conviction history with specific job duties in the position being sought.

Please note: Current employees who are offered positions on campus will be required to undergo a background check for any position where a background check is required by law or that Cal Poly has designated as sensitive. Sensitive positions are those requiring heightened scrutiny of individuals holding the position based on potential for harm to children, concerns for the safety and security of people, animals, or property, or heightened risk of financial loss to Cal Poly or individuals in the university community.

For health and well-being, Cal Poly is a smoke & tobacco-free campus. The university is committed to promoting a healthy environment for all members of our community.

In accordance with the California State University (CSU) Out-of-State Employment Policy, the CSU is a state entity whose business operations reside within the State of California and prohibits hiring employees to perform CSU related work outside of California. It is also expected that tenure-line faculty establish an on-campus presence to fulfill their responsibilities. 

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT

The Agribusiness Department of the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences is comprised of roughly 600 undergraduate majors, over 100 minors, and 10 tenured/tenure track faculty. The program offers a B.S. in Agribusiness. The curriculum is diverse with key classes in data analytics, agricultural economics, accounting, and sales, and more advanced classes in marketing, agricultural policy, finance, risk management, supply chain management, human resource management, the value-added food sector, the retail sector, and global agricultural trade.  Experiential learning and industry interaction are integral components of the curriculum. The department has earned numerous national student contest awards in competitions sponsored by the National Agricultural Marketing Association, Food Distribution Research Society, the National Grocers Association, and others. The department’s research and education activities are conducted on a wide array of issues that include U.S. and California agricultural policies, new and emerging industries, agribusiness management, resource management, supply-chain and retail management, agricultural marketing, and technology adoption in agriculture.

HOW TO APPLY

Review begin date November 1, 2024. Applicants are encouraged to submit materials by November 1, 2024 for full consideration; however, applications received after this date may be considered. Interested candidates must attach (1) cover letter, (2) resume/curriculum vitae, (3) unofficial transcripts of the highest degree, (4) statement of teaching philosophy, (5) goals and plans for research, (6) a statement describing the candidate’s experience(s) with diversity, equity, and inclusion and how their experiences have prepared them to advance Cal Poly’s commitment to inclusive excellence (https://www.calpoly.edu/diversity-equity-and-inclusion), and (7) at least three professional references with names and email addresses when completing the online faculty application. The selected candidate will be required to provide sealed official transcripts prior to appointment for final consideration.

Inquiries can be directed to Dr. Michael McCullough, Professor, Agribusiness Department at mpmccull@calpoly.edu.