Job Summary

The Biological Sciences Department in the Bailey College of Science and Mathematics at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, is seeking to fill one full-time, academic year, tenure track position in marine ecology, with appointment beginning September 11, 2025.

Appointment at the Assistant Professor rank is anticipated; higher ranks will be considered. Rank and salary are commensurate with qualifications and experience.

• If appointed at the Assistant Professor rank, the anticipated hiring range is $97,788 - $107,628.
• If appointed at the Associate Professor rank, the anticipated hiring range is $112,500 - $118,524.

Excellence in teaching, an active program in research and scholarship, and departmental service are expected. Successful candidates must be committed to quality undergraduate and graduate education and be comfortable teaching a variety of biology courses, as well as implementing a student-centered research program that involves both undergraduate and graduate (Master’s) students. The preferred candidate will have expertise in benthic marine ecology with a background in marine phycology and/or botany, but those focusing on fish, invertebrates and other taxa are also encouraged to apply. Special areas of interest include population/community/ecosystem ecology; mariculture; evolution; natural history; and conservation/restoration.

The successful candidate will support Cal Poly’s Biological Sciences Department and growing Marine Sciences B.S. degree program, engage in scholarship with Cal Poly’s Center for Coastal Marine Sciences, and for both teaching and research utilize Cal Poly’s coastal marine facilities, including the 1-km Cal Poly Pier in Avila, flow-through seawater system, scientific diving program, and fleet of small-craft vessels. Cal Poly is situated near the coast with a unique level of access to coastal marine environments and kelp forest ecosystems in central California, including San Luis Obispo and Estero Bays, Point Buchon, Morro Bay National Estuary and Big Sur, that the successful candidate would be encouraged to utilize for teaching and research.

Faculty in the Biological Sciences Department typically teach 2-3 lecture+lab courses per quarter, with the opportunity to reduce this by mentoring student research and/or procuring extramural research funding. The teaching assignment for this position will include courses at various levels in biological and marine sciences for both majors and non-majors, as well as upper-level courses in marine ecology and/or marine phycology/botany, and the opportunity to develop new courses in the candidate's area of specialty.

The Bailey College of Science and Mathematics (BCSM) at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is committed to creating and sustaining a diverse, equitable, and inclusive university community that reflects and serves the population of California. Cal Poly strongly values diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), especially in the classroom and among its areas of study. Cal Poly seeks to recruit faculty who enthusiastically support the University’s strong commitment to the academic success of all our students, including students of color, students with disabilities, students who are first generation to college, veterans, students with diverse socio-economic backgrounds, and students of diverse sexual orientations and gender expressions. Cal Poly seeks to recruit and retain a diverse workforce as a reflection of our commitment to maintain the excellence of the University and to offer our students a rich variety of expertise, perspectives, and ways of knowing and learning. The successful candidate will consider teaching strategies that promote student success, especially for students from historically excluded communities. Successful candidates should consider the University’s goals for diversity, equity, and inclusion in their approach to teaching, research, and service.

Cal Poly embraces a teacher-scholar model in which faculty are expected to be excellent teachers, produce scholarship in their field of interest, and provide service to the institution. The selected candidate will consider using creative lecture and laboratory teaching approaches that include current and emerging technologies to enhance student learning and will participate in scholarly practices such as peer-reviewed research, professional consulting, conference presentations, and grant development that leads to publication. The selected candidate will pursue a systematic program of research and scholarship, curricular improvement, and participation in service activities such as committee service, student advising, and building industry relationships.

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

• Ph.D. in Biology or closely related field.
• Demonstrated experience and commitment to student-centered learning and teaching.
• Demonstrated proficiency in written and oral use of the English language.
• Must provide evidence of (or potential for) high quality teaching and research with students.
• Must provide evidence of (or potential for) scholarly productivity.
• Must provide evidence of (or potential for) promoting diversity and inclusivity in higher education as well as a dedication to the well-being and advancement of students, colleagues, and the department.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with diverse populations and fostering a collaborative, supportive and inclusive environment.
• Experience and commitment to excellence in teaching biology at the university level.
• Expertise in benthic marine ecology in an area compatible with or broadening the department's research activities.
• A background in marine phycology and/or botany, but those focusing on fish, invertebrates and other taxa are also encouraged to apply.
• Special areas of interest include population/community/ecosystem ecology; mariculture; evolution; natural history; and conservation/restoration.
• Experience supervising student research and master’s theses.

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.

About the Department

The Biological Sciences Department is the largest academic unit within the College of Science and Mathematics and is one of the largest departments at Cal Poly. There are approximately 900 undergraduate students and 50 graduate students. The department's mission is three-fold: I) offer majors leading to a Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Sciences, Marine Science, or Microbiology; 2) offer courses to satisfy the biology requirements for other majors; and 3) offer courses to meet general education and breadth requirements for Cal Poly's entire student population. The department offers approximately 125 different courses to over 10,000 students annually, with the majority of courses having a laboratory component. The department is currently comprised of an elected department chair (3-year term), 33 full-time faculty, 4 full-time lecturers, 35-40 part-time faculty/teaching associates, approximately 25 student assistants, and 8 support staff of which 3 provide administrative support and 5 support classroom and research endeavors. Budgets within the department include an annual operating allocation up to $230,000, as well as several hundred thousand dollars of other university support. Faculty research grants have totaled almost $7 million over the past five years. More information regarding the Biological Sciences Department can be found at https://bio.calpoly.edu/.

About the University

Founded in 1901, Cal Poly is one of only six comprehensive polytechnic universities in the nation, with approximately 22,000 undergraduates, 120 postbaccalaureate, and 700 graduate students. U.S. News and World Report has ranked Cal Poly #1 among public master's universities in the western United States for 30 consecutive years. A primarily undergraduate university, Cal Poly offers academically-focused students 66 baccalaureate degrees and 36 master's degrees. Currently operating on the quarter calendar system, Cal Poly takes pride in its "Learn-by-Doing" approach to teaching and learning, which has characterized Cal Poly since its founding. One of the 23 campuses of the California State University system, Cal Poly has a statewide mandate as a polytechnic university. Cal Poly is one of the largest land-holding universities in the nation and uses all of its land holdings in active support of its educational programs. Cal Poly is located in historic San Luis Obispo, a city of 49,000, 12 miles from the Pacific Ocean and midway between San Francisco and Los Angeles on California's scenic Central Coast. With excellent public education resources, recreational facilities, and an expanding dedication to the arts, the area is known for its scenic landscapes, outdoor activities, and extraordinarily temperate climate.

How to Apply

Interested candidates must attach the following documents: 

1. Cover Letter
2. Curriculum Vitae (CV)
3. Teaching Statement - The teaching statement provides an opportunity for candidates to articulate their teaching philosophy, approach, and goals.
4. Research Plan – The research plan provides an opportunity to outline your proposed research agenda and demonstrate your expertise and potential as a researcher in the field of marine ecology. 
5. Diversity Statement - The diversity statement is a way for applicants for a tenure-track position to demonstrate their commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in teaching, scholarship and service. It should display evidence of the ability to promote and support a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment. Please consider using the following questions to prepare the diversity statement.
   1. What pedagogical practices would you use to foster an inclusive learning environment for our student population? Activities may include curriculum, pedagogy, or climate, and teaching that occurs outside the classroom setting.
   2. In what ways have your experiences shaped your perspectives, behaviors, or actions about or towards others, and what did you learn from these experiences?
   3. What activities, outside of the area of teaching, do you plan to engage in as a faculty member that would address diversity, equity, and inclusion?
6. Unofficial graduate transcript(s) as one document

These documents are not accepted in hard copy format. When completing the online faculty application, please be prepared to provide three professional references with names and email addresses. Official transcripts are required prior to appointment.

Review of applications will begin October 24, 2024. Complete applications received after that date may be considered. For questions, please contact Dr. Ken Hillers at khillers@calpoly.edu.