Assistant Professor in Graphic Communication—Expertise in Print, Packaging & Color (25/26)

The Graphic Communication 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 to begin September 11, 2025. Interested applicants should complete the online faculty application at http://jobs.calpoly.edu/ and submit it to Requisition #541884. Review Begin Date: 12-02-2024

The Graphic Communication 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 to begin September 11, 2025. Area of Specialization in print, packaging and color management. Teaching responsibilities may include courses in offset, flexographic, and digital printing methods, color management, specialty printing, and/or materials for Graphic Communication. The ideal candidate will have a combination of university-level teaching experience and research potential. We are seeking applicants with an earned or nearly complete Masters/Doctorate in a related Graphic Communication field. This position is a tenure-track, 9-month academic-year appointment at the rank of Assistant Professor. Degree must be earned by the time of appointment.

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 socially just, 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, 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 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

• Master’s degree in Graphic Communication, Media, Communication, Business, Management, Information Management, Data Analysis, or a closely related field; earned or nearing completion. Degree must be earned by time of appointment.
• Documented experience in university teaching, research, and/or industrial experience, in three or more of the following areas:Color management for digital and printed media
  • Digital and conventional printing technologies
  • Packaging development and production
  • Workflow for print production and converting
  • Materials for Graphic Communication applications
  • Data management and data integration/visualization
  • Emerging technologies in print production
  • Strategic planning for graphic communication applications
• Demonstrated university teaching experience.
• Demonstrated proficiency in written and oral use of the English language is required. 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Ph.D. or a terminal degree in related fields, or industry experience, and a track record of committed research focus in related areas.
• Demonstrated experience and commitment to student-centered learning and teaching.
• Demonstrated ability to collaboratively work in multidisciplinary settings.
• Demonstrated experience working with diverse populations and fostering a collaborative, supportive, and inclusive environment. 
• 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 Graphic Communication Department (GrC) is the leading four-year university program in graphic communication education in the U.S. The GrC program is the home of over 30,000 square feet of laboratories that are equipped with industrial-standard software and state-of-the-art equipment. The accredited program provides students with hands-on experience, and an updated curriculum in both digital and printed products for communication. The program emphasizes the connection between creativity, technology, and business aspects of communication. Cal Poly’s Graphic Communication Department celebrates its diverse body of faculty, staff, and students, and is always seeking diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and life challenges to create a rich environment for strengthening department culture. The department celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2022. Learn more about the Graphic Communication Department at grc.calpoly.edu.

HOW TO APPLY

To apply, please visit www.jobs.calpoly.edu , complete a required online faculty application and apply to Requisition #541884. Please upload the following required materials as part of the electronic application:

• Current curriculum vitae
• Cover letter addresses the feasibility of conducting research, scholarship, and/or creative activities within the context of a primarily teaching-oriented undergraduate program.
• Diversity Statement demonstrates 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
• Teaching portfolio and evidence of teaching effectiveness (with course syllabi and student evaluations), if applicable
• Example(s) of scholarship work

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

Projected Start Date: September 11, 2025

Review Begin Date: 12-02-2024. 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 Dina Vees via email at dvees@calpoly.edu