Assistant or Associate Professor Political Science - Public Policy or Public Administration

Overview

Assistant or Associate Professor Political Science - Public Policy or Public Administration (26/27)

• Job No: 552007
• Work Type: Instructional Faculty – Tenured/Tenure-Track
• Location: Central California:
  San Luis Obispo
• Categories: Bargaining Unit:
  Unit 3 - CFA - California Faculty Association, Job Search Category/Discipline:
  Faculty - Social Sciences, Appointment Type:
  Tenured/Tenure-Track, Time Basis:
  Full Time, Workplace Type (Exclude Inst Fac):
  On-site (work in-person at business location)

The Department of Political Science at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, CA, seeks applications for a full-time (academic year), tenure-track Assistant/Associate Professor with a specialization in Public Policy to begin August 17th, 2026. The second specialty field is open. Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience. Ph.D. in Public Policy, Political Science, or a related field is required at the time of appointment.

Evidence of strong teaching skills is required.

Applicants should be prepared to offer graduate and undergraduate courses in their substantive area of expertise. The successful candidate should also be able to teach core public policy courses at the graduate and undergraduate levels, including but not limited to:
Public Policy and Administration, Public Policy Analysis, Regulatory and Economic Policy, Research Design, Quantitative Methods, and/or a graduate research seminar. Preference is given to candidates who can teach core undergraduate and graduate courses and can expand the Department's expertise. Preference is given to candidates whose teaching and/or research address justice, broadly defined.

An earned doctorate (Ph.D.) in Public Policy, 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 and conferred prior to the start of the appointment. The initial appointment is for two years, subject to renewal.

• Ph.D. in Public Policy, Political Science, or a closely related field, completed and conferred by August 2026;
• Demonstrated university teaching experience;
• Demonstrated proficiency in written and oral use of the English language is required.

• Demonstrated teaching and/or research related to justice, broadly defined;
• The ability to expand the Department's existing areas of expertise;
• 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.

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 per semester, 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.

Subject to further planning and approval, Cal Poly anticipates a possible transition to semester-based year-round operations (YRO). Under YRO, full-time academic year faculty may be assigned to teach in two consecutive semesters (Fall/Spring, Spring/Summer, or Summer/Fall) out of the three semesters offered annually. The two-semester sequence will constitute the regular academic year appointment. Faculty may also be eligible to teach in the third semester for additional compensation, subject to departmental needs and University policy.

This…