Description

The San Diego State University Department of History seeks to fill the USS Midway Chair in Modern US Military History, an open-rank and endowed position with expertise in modern U.S. military history. Candidates must demonstrate expertise in the period since 1900, with emphasis on 1940 onward. The History Department defines military history very broadly with a focus on American statecraft, the nation’s place in the world, and the impact of US wars on peoples and societies at home and abroad. The Department has established strengths in social, cultural, public, and global history, and seeks candidates whose work complements and engages with one or more these areas of excellence. The faculty appointed to this position is expected to collaborate with the Department's public history program and the Center for Public and Oral History. The appointed faculty member will teach courses at all levels, from lower-division undergraduate lectures to graduate seminars, with a 2–2 teaching load in the History Department. The USS Midway Chair will also be expected to engage in committee service in the department. Consistent with SDSU’s teacher-scholar faculty model, this position seeks candidates who demonstrate a commitment to excellence in both research and teaching. Successful applicants will be expected to pursue an active research agenda, including the pursuit of external funding and peer-reviewed publications, while also contributing to high-quality instruction, curriculum development, committee participation, and university service. To learn more, please visit the History Department website: ​​https://history.sdsu.edu/.

Apply via PageUp by January 5, 2026.

The USS Midway Chair in Modern US Military History is governed by a Memorandum of Understanding between the SDSU Department of History and the USS Midway Museum. As such, the faculty appointed to this position must:

1. have expertise in the field of U.S. military history since 1900, with substantial emphasis on the period from 1940 onward and the role of the American military as an instrument of State power around the world;

2. have authored a body of published scholarly works demonstrating that expertise, with such works having received positive reviews from peer scholars in modern military history;

3. have an active research program that promises future significant publications in peer-reviewed venues;

4. be committed to supporting and advancing the USS Midway Museum's mission, and contribute directly to that mission through involvement in the Midway Institute for Teachers and/or similar programs, by agreement with the Director of the Midway Institute and the Dean of the College;

5. serve as director of or otherwise assume leadership responsibilities in SDSU's Center for War and Society, and develop and maintain a collaborative relationship with colleagues in allied areas, including the Dwight Stanford Chair in American Foreign Relations, adjunct military history faculty, and faculty affiliated with the Center;

6. understand the distinctive experiences of veterans and their issues, and cooperate and develop relationships and programs with the SDSU Military and Veteran Program;

7. have a record of strong teaching performance, commitment to public service, and collaboration with external partners such as museums;

8. participate fully in the work of the History Department through committee service;

9. expect to teach in the History Department at all levels, as needed, from freshman introductory survey courses to graduate teaching; in this way the holder of the Chair can attract into the department students who are interested in military questions at all levels.

Qualifications

Required qualifications by date of application:

• A PhD in the field of US Military History or a related field.

• A record of original and scholarly research, publications, and accomplishments, and demonstrated capacity to a) develop a vigorous and independent program of research and scholarship in the field of modern US military history, b) teach graduate and undergraduate courses in the field of US military history, c) engage intellectually with the existing strengths of the department in social, cultural, public, and global history, and d) engage in department, campus, and professional service activities. 

• Demonstration of past accomplishments and/or future plans in at least two (2) or more of the “Building on Inclusive Excellence” criteria. 

• Demonstrated expertise in the discipline and its methodologies.

• Demonstrated proficiency in interdisciplinary and collaborative approaches.

• Ability to raise funds, write grants, establish donor relations, and/or secure extramural funding. 

• Ability to collaborate with outside partners such as veterans’ organizations, local public history sites, museums, etc. 

• Commitment to veterans’ well-being and community engagement.

• Preparation for teaching students from diverse backgrounds at both graduate and undergraduate levels.

• Ability to direct advanced undergraduate student research.

• Ability to direct graduate student research.

• Ability to collaborate with colleagues specializing in areas and periods outside the field of modern US military history.

• Commitment to support and advance the mission and goals of the history department and SDSU.

Application Instructions

Apply via PageUp by January 5, 2026, providing the following materials:

• Cover letter, including information indicating how the applicant meets or will meet required qualifications, preferred qualifications, and  “Building on Inclusive Excellence” criteria.

• Curriculum vita.

• Three letters of recommendation addressing the candidate’s scholarly expertise; how it aligns with the department’s research strengths; ability to teach at the undergraduate and graduate levels; commitment to committee service within and beyond the department; and capacity to attract donors and secure external funding.

• Writing sample.

• Teaching philosophy statement.

The minimum salary for this position is based on the current CSU salary schedule and may be revised based on contract collective bargaining. The anticipated base salary range is from $83,000-$88,000 (assistant professor), $105,000-$109,000 (associate professor), and $120,000-$130,000 (professor). Salary placement will be based on the selected candidate’s qualifications and experience, and salaries higher than the published maximums may be offered in limited circumstances. San Diego State University offers a rich benefits package that constitutes a major portion of total compensation. For benefits information, click here.

SDSU Values

At SDSU, our diversity gives us power and benefits every single member of our community. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, SDSU provides equal opportunity for all in education and employment. We encourage all members of our community to purposefully learn from one another through open and respectful dialogue and responsible engagement. We strongly preserve the right to free expression and encourage difficult conversations that help lead to improved individual and community learning and cohesion.

Equal Opportunity and Excellence in Education and Employment

All university programs and activities are open and available to all regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, San Diego State University (SDSU) 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. SDSU 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. 

SDSU 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 SDSU, excellence is built on merit, talent, diversity, accessibility, and equal opportunity for all.

As part of its commitment to a safe and equitable “OneSDSU” community, SDSU requires that individuals seeking faculty employment provide at the time of application authorization to conduct background checks if they become a finalist for the position; applications without this authorization will be considered incomplete and not considered. A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed before any candidate can be offered a position with the CSU. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the application status of applicants or continued employment of current CSU employees who apply for the position.

Pursuant to Education Code 89521, the California State University requires that employment applicants disclose any final administrative decision or final judicial decision issued within the last seven years determining that the applicant committed sexual harassment. This requirement applies specifically to applicants who meet the minimum qualifications for the Academic or Administrative position they are applying to.  Disclosures shall be provided to the San Diego State University Center for the Prevention of Harassment and Discrimination for further adjudication. Please contact cphd@sdsu.edu.

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. SDSU is a Title IX, equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against persons on the basis of race, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and expression, marital status, age, disability, pregnancy, medical condition, or covered veteran status.