San Francisco State University, Department of Humanities and Comparative World Literature offers an exciting opportunity for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position in Video Games Studies beginning August 2025. We seek an exceptional colleague interested in the intersection of video games studies with fields such as literary, cultural, or media studies. We are particularly looking for candidates with some expertise in Japanese culture. Successful candidates should have an active research agenda and be able to demonstrate a strong commitment to excellence, equity, and inclusion in teaching diverse student bodies. 

Required qualifications

• Ph.D. in a humanities field such as media or cultural studies, literature, East Asian studies, etc. Degree must be completed by the first day of employment.
• Record of working and communicating effectively with students and colleagues

About the Department

We are a collegial community who come from diverse intellectual backgrounds and are committed to the ongoing project of reimagining the humanities from interdisciplinary perspectives. Collaboration is at the core of our values and practice, as our newest program, a minor in Video Game Studies, demonstrates. While housed in our department, this minor includes courses in over a dozen programs across the college and has forged networks of connection among the many faculty and students involved. It joins three BA programs with long histories at SF State: Comparative and World Literature, Humanities, and American Studies. Each of these offers a core curriculum that invites students to think critically about the cultural narratives, images, and media that shape and reflect their world. We especially prioritize advising and mentoring our students, and ensuring that our pedagogy, curricula, and classrooms remain inclusive, relevant, and engaging.

SF State is a major public urban university, situated in one of the world’s great cities. Building on a century-long history of commitment to quality teaching and broad access to undergraduate and graduate education, the University offers comprehensive, rigorous, and integrated academic programs that require students to engage in open-minded inquiry and reflection. SF State prepares its students to become productive, ethical, active citizens with a global perspective.

San Francisco State University educates and equips students to thrive in a global society. We deliver academic excellence by pursuing knowledge, inspiring creativity, supporting our diverse community and advancing social justice and positive change in the world.

Visit the Strategic Planning website to learn more.

Responsibilities

The position requires undergraduate and graduate curriculum development and teaching in video game studies and cultural studies courses; mentoring and advising undergraduate and graduate students; active and innovative research and publication in one’s area of specialty; and ongoing committee and service assignments.

Compensation

The Assistant Professor (Academic Year) classification salary range is:

$103,000 to $105,000 annually (12 monthly payments per academic year).

Salary offered is commensurate with experience and qualifications. In addition, the California Equal Pay Act prohibits employers from paying its employees less than those of the opposite sex and/or another race or ethnicity for substantially similar work (https://www.dir.ca.gov/dlse/california_equal_pay_act.htm).

Professional development funds, moving expenses, start‐up funds, and a reduced teaching load may be available.

The California State University (CSU) provides generous health, retirement, and other benefits.

Application Procedure

A complete online application must be submitted to receive consideration. Application review begins November 15, 2024, and continues until the position is filled.

To apply, please upload the following materials:

1. Cover letter (relating your experience to the required qualifications)

2. Curriculum vitae

3. A diversity statement that is no more than 500 words that provides an understanding of your capabilities to address diversity in support of SFSU’s diverse student and community populations. Please provide specific examples of how you have addressed diversity in your teaching, research, and service.

4. Article-length writing sample

5. Names and contact information of three references who will provide letters of recommendation upon request.

Please direct all questions about the position to Chris Weinberger, Video Game Studies Coordinator, at vgs@sfsu.edu.

Thank you for your interest in employment with California State University (CSU). CSU is a state entity whose business operations reside within the State of California. Because of this, CSU prohibits hiring employees to perform CSU-related work outside of California with very limited exception. While this position may be eligible for occasional telework, all work is expected to be performed in the state of California, and this position is assigned to on-campus operations.

San Francisco State is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against persons on the basis of race, religion, color, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, medical condition, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, covered veteran status, or any other protected status. We strongly encourage the application of individuals from historically underrepresented groups. Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified applicants with disabilities who self-disclose by contacting the Senior Human Resources Manager. Additional information on the requirements for new hires may be found at the Human Resources web page (https://hr.sfsu.edu/about-hr ).