Social Sciences Department

The Social Sciences Department in the College of Liberal Arts at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, is seeking applications for a full-time, academic-year, tenure-track Assistant Professor of Sociology to begin approximately August 12, 2027. The faculty member will teach at the flagship Cal Poly San Luis Obispo campus, as well as for Cal Poly’s Bachelor’s Pathway Program in Sociology at the Allan Hancock College campus in nearby Santa Maria. Ability to teach in the following areas is required: Race, Social Theory, and Research Methods.

The ideal candidate will have a combination of university-level teaching experience and research potential. We are seeking applicants with a Ph.D. in sociology or closely related discipline conferred prior to or by the time of appointment, a successful teaching record, evidence of or potential for scholarly achievement in sociological research, and experience working with students (particularly undergraduate and/or underrepresented students) in research, teaching, service, advising, mentoring and/or community engagement.

Teaching responsibilities will be balanced between the San Luis Obispo campus and the Bachelor’s Pathway Program in Sociology (i.e. the “Sociology BPP”). The Sociology BPP is a partnership between California Polytechnic State University and Allan Hancock College, a community college in Santa Maria (~35 minutes from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo). Students in the Sociology BPP apply at the end of, or after completing, their associate degree and, if accepted, complete two years of Cal Poly classes as transfer students at the Allan Hancock campus. Many Sociology BPP students are Latinx/e, lower socioeconomic status, and/or first generation. Sociology BPP students graduate with a BA in Sociology from Cal Poly.

This position will have the following responsibilities:

• Teach, conduct research, and perform Cal Poly service responsibilities at the San Luis Obispo campus to support the overall sociology program
• Teach at the Allan Hancock College campus in Santa Maria to support the Sociology BPP
• Advise students about concentrations and supervise senior projects
• Teach core and GE sociology courses in the areas of race, social theory, and/or research methods, as well as additional elective and concentration courses, depending on program need
• Develop and teach undergraduate classes based on the candidate’s own interests
• Teach in-person and/or virtually based on program need
• Contribute to the University’s mission of “Learn by Doing”
• Develop and maintain an active research agenda that involves undergraduate students

Salary:  Anticipated Hiring Range: $90,276 - $98,244/year, $7,523 - $8,187/month 
(Note that hiring level will be commensurate with the qualifications and experience of the candidate.)

Although Cal Poly is primarily a teaching university, our faculty are expected to balance teaching with an active program of research/professional development (including publication), student supervision and advising, and participation in service activities at the department and college/university level. The typical teaching load is 9-12 units per semester, with a reduction in course load in each of the first two years to help new faculty establish an active program of research and professional development. Additional efforts to manage instructors’ workload include offering course release credit for advising students’ capstone senior projects and, when possible, allowing faculty to teach multiple sections of the same course in the same term and/or to teach hybrid classes in a combined face-to-face and asynchronous modality.

Subject to further planning and approval, Cal Poly anticipates a possible transition to semester-based year-round operations (YRO).  Under YRO, full-time academic year faculty may be assigned to teach in two consecutive semesters (Fall/Spring, Spring/Summer, or Summer/Fall) out of the three semesters offered annually. The two-semester sequence will constitute the regular academic year appointment. Faculty may also be eligible to teach in the third semester for additional compensation, subject to departmental needs and University policy.

Equal Opportunity and Excellence in Education and Employment

This position is open and available to all regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, Cal Poly provides equal opportunity in education and employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every student and employee has access to the resources and support they need to thrive and succeed in a university environment and in their communities. Cal Poly complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws, and CSU’s Nondiscrimination Policy. We prohibit discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all university programs, policies, and practices.

Cal Poly is a diverse community of individuals who represent many perspectives, beliefs and identities, committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and intellectually vibrant environment. We cultivate a culture of open dialogue, mutual respect, and belonging to support educational excellence and student success. Through academic programs, student organizations and activities, faculty initiatives, and community partnerships, we encourage meaningful engagement with diverse perspectives. As a higher education institution, we are dedicated to advancing knowledge and empowering individuals to reach their full potential by prioritizing inclusive curriculum development, faculty and staff training, student mentorship, and comprehensive support programs. At Cal Poly, excellence is built on merit, talent, diversity, accessibility, and equal opportunity for all.

Required Qualifications

• An earned doctorate (Ph.D.) in Sociology or a related field from an accredited institution or international equivalent. Candidates nearing completion of the doctorate (ABD) may be considered but must provide proof that the doctorate will be awarded prior to or by the start of the appointment.
• Ability to teach courses in Race (US Race and Ethnic Relations and/or Global Race and Ethnic Relations), Social Theory (Classical Social Theory), and Sociological Research Methods (Quantitative and/or Qualitative Methods).
• Experience working with undergraduate students in research, teaching, service, advising, mentoring and/or community engagement
• Demonstrated experience working with diverse populations and fostering a collaborative, supportive, and inclusive environment
• Demonstrated university teaching experience.
• Demonstrated proficiency in written and oral use of the English language.
• Willingness to teach at both the Cal Poly San Luis Obispo campus and in Santa Maria to support the Sociology Bachelor’s Pathway program.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with underrepresented students in research, teaching, service, advising, mentoring, and/or community engagement.
• Evidence of scholarly engagement with social justice-oriented frameworks, theories, and/or practices.
• Demonstrated expertise in critical studies of race.
• Demonstrated experience with academic program administration, student support initiatives, and/or collaborative leadership in higher education settings.
• Willingness to take on a program leadership role for the Sociology BPP, depending on future program need.
• Demonstrated experience with and commitment to student-centered learning and teaching.
• Demonstrated ability to collaboratively work in multidisciplinary settings.

Special Conditions

All CSU employees are designated "mandated reporters" under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act. As a condition of your employment, you will be required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 and any subsequent amendments.

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.

About the Department

The Department of Social Sciences houses two majors (Sociology and Anthropology/Geography) and four minors (Anthropology/Geography, Latin American Studies, Social and Environmental Justice, and Sociology), and offers courses on both the Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo campus and the Allan Hancock College campus in Santa Maria. It currently comprises 17 tenured/tenure-track faculty (9 sociology, 4 anthropology, and 4 geography), 7 full-time lecturers, and 4 part-time lecturers serving approximately 275 Sociology majors (around 50 of whom are in the BPP), 130 Anthropology/Geography majors, and 125 minors, as well as General Education students from across the university. The department’s website is https://socialsciences.calpoly.edu/

How to Apply

To apply, please visit http://jobs.calpoly.edu/, complete a required online faculty application and apply to Requisition #560200. Please upload the following required materials as part of the electronic application:

1. A cover letter providing details of the applicant's qualifications and interest in the position
2. A current curriculum vitae 
3. Copy of unofficial transcripts (sealed official transcripts and letters of recommendation will be required for final consideration)
4. A Universal Student Success Statement: Cal Poly is a public, student-centered university that serves the diverse constituents of the state of California and has a strong emphasis on the teacher-scholar model. Please detail your approach to teaching and learning at the collegiate level, including evidence of experience with inclusive, accessible, and intentional teaching to a wide variety of students, and a description of how you will continue to develop this expertise at Cal Poly. Service or scholarship related to skills developed in these areas might also be included here.
5. Statement of research interests/research plan within the context of a primarily teaching-oriented undergraduate program 
6. A teaching portfolio with evidence of teaching effectiveness including student feedback and course syllabi related to requested teaching subject area(s)
7. An example of scholarship or creative work

Please be prepared to provide three professional references with names and email addresses when completing the online faculty application. Cal Poly will directly solicit letters from the listed individuals after the first stage of application review.

Cal Poly’s ability to sponsor employment-based visas will depend on institutional priorities, budget availability, and current federal regulations.  Cal Poly does not commit to providing visa sponsorship for this position, and applicants should not expect that such sponsorship will be offered.

Projected Start Date: August 12,2027

Review Begin Date: October 15, 2026

Applicants with complete files by the Review Begin date will be given full consideration. Applications received after this date may be considered.

For questions about the position please contact Dr. Martine Lappé via email at mlapp@calpoly.edu.