Assistant Professor of Political Science - African American Politics and/or Policy

The Department of Political Science in the College of Liberal Arts at California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly), San Luis Obispo, California, invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track, academic-year Assistant Professor with specialization in African American politics and/or policy, to begin on September 11, 2025.  Ph.D. in Political Science or a related field is required at time of appointment.  Evidence of strong teaching skills and an active research program is required.

The successful candidate should be prepared to teach African American politics and policy as well as courses within their specialty related to U.S. politics.  Other teaching responsibilities may include courses based upon applicant's ability to demonstrate expertise in other areas. Successful candidates will have  demonstrated teaching and research experience in social justice issues. Some departmental administrative responsibilities and service to the university are required. Continued professional development is required.

An earned doctorate (Ph.D.) in Political Science or a closely related field from an accredited institution or international equivalent is required. Candidates nearing completion of the doctorate (ABD) may be considered but must provide proof that the doctorate has been completed prior to the start of the appointment.  The initial appointment is for two years, subject to renewal.

Cal Poly strongly values diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), in the classroom, in scholarship, and in service experience. This position is part of a university-wide cluster of searches designed to increase curricular coverage of areas related to DEI, as well as to promote inclusive and equity-minded teaching strategies across the university. Successful candidates will be expected to contribute to the university’s goals in these areas. Candidates selected through this DEI cluster hire will be given start-up funds to support their work in DEI and a dedicated mentor will be given upon appointment. Once hired, candidates will collaborate with their dean and others to develop a plan for utilizing these funds for supplemental compensation, assigned time, or professional development activities.  

For more information about Cal Poly’s DEI-Focused Cluster Hires, please visit: https://academic-personnel.calpoly.edu/clusterhire

The other searches are for positions in the following disciplines across campus:

• African American Psychology (Psychology & Child Development)
• DEI-focused University Archivist (Special Collections and Archives, Library)
• Director of General Engineering (Dept. dependent on specialty)
• Environmental Health in Latinx/e Populations (Kinesiology and Public Health)
• Environmental Justice and Sustainable Development, focus on Latinx/e or Black populations (Natural Resources and Environmental Science)
• Environmental Social Justice, Latinx/e focus (Social Sciences)
• Metadata and Cataloguing Librarian (Collection Strategies and Discovery, Library)
• Spanish Language Journalism (Journalism)

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 12 units (three courses) per quarter, 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. Cal Poly strongly values diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), especially in the classroom and among its areas of study.

The College of Liberal Arts (CLA) sees diversity as central to its mission and is committed to fostering an equitable and inclusive environment within the college and university. We value our diversity of complex and intersecting identities, while striving to maintain an environment that is equitable, respectful, and inclusive. The successful applicant should be able to clearly demonstrate how they have infused these values and student learning objectives into their work. They should be prepared to present clear examples of how they would infuse these areas into their work as a faculty member.

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 and experiences fosters the innovative and creative thinking that exemplifies Cal Poly’s values of free inquiry and reflection on impacts of cultural context, mutual respect, civic engagement, and social and environmental responsibility. Cal Poly's commitment to DEI informs our efforts in recruitment, hiring and retention. California Polytechnic State University is an equal opportunity employer.

Due to CSU policies, the person hired must reside in the state of California at the time of hire and for the entirety of the appointment.  

Required Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in Political Science, Public Policy or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated expertise in African American Politics or Policy
• Demonstrated university teaching experience.
• Demonstrated proficiency in written and oral use of the English language.
•  Demonstrated experience working with diverse populations and fostering a collaborative, supportive, and inclusive environment

Preferred Qualifications:

• Preference will be given to candidates with teaching and research interest in social justice issues, including but not limited to policing, prisons, gender, reparations, disenfranchisement, employment, ideology, environmental/climate justice, etc.
• Demonstrated experience and commitment to student-centered learning and teaching.
• Demonstrated ability to collaboratively work in multidisciplinary settings.

• Preference will also be given to those with relevant work experience and those who bring professional capabilities. 

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 Cal Poly Political Science Department prides itself on its collegiality and commitment to excellence in teaching and scholarship. The department serves approximately 350 majors, over 200 minors, and 25 graduate students. At the undergraduate level, the department offers concentrations in U.S. Politics, Global Politics, Pre-Law and Individualized Courses of Study, as well as minors in Law & Society, Political Science, and Global Politics. It also administers a Master of Public Policy Program.

How to Apply

To apply, please visit http://jobs.calpoly.edu/, complete a required online faculty application and apply to Requisition 541883 Please upload the following required materials as part of the electronic application:

• Cover letter: address the feasibility of conducting a research program within the context of a primarily teaching-oriented undergraduate program
• Current curriculum vitae
• Statement of demonstrated commitment to DEI in teaching, scholarship and/or service describing past experience, contributions to DEI efforts, the impact on students, faculty, staff and/or your field and a description of how you will demonstrate a commitment in these areas in teaching, research, and/or service at Cal Poly
• Unofficial transcripts showing highest degree earned, official transcripts showing highest degree earned will be required prior to appointment. 

Please be prepared to provide three professional references with names and email addresses when completing the online faculty application. 

Projected Start Date: 09-11-2025

Review Begin Date: NOV 18, 2024.  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 Department Chair, Dr. Helene Shanruo Ning Zhang, via email at nizhang@calpoly.edu.