Assistant Professor of Sociology: Race, Theory, and Methods

Social Sciences Department

The Social Sciences 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 of Sociology to begin approximately August 12, 2027. The faculty member will teach at the flagship Cal Poly San Luis Obispo campus, as well as for Cal Poly’s Bachelor’s Pathway Program in Sociology at the Allan Hancock College campus in nearby Santa Maria.

Ability to teach in the following areas is required:
Race, Social Theory, and Research Methods.

The Social Sciences 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 of Sociology to begin approximately August 12, 2027. The faculty member will teach at the flagship Cal Poly San Luis Obispo campus, as well as for Cal Poly’s Bachelor’s Pathway Program in Sociology at the Allan Hancock College campus in nearby Santa Maria.

Ability to teach in the following areas is required:
Race, Social Theory, and Research Methods.

• Teach, conduct research, and perform Cal Poly service responsibilities at the San Luis Obispo campus to support the overall sociology program
• Teach at the Allan Hancock College campus in Santa Maria to support the Sociology BPP
• Advise students about concentrations and supervise senior projects
• Teach core and GE sociology courses in the areas of race, social theory, and/or research methods, as well as additional elective and concentration courses, depending on program need
• Develop and teach undergraduate classes based on the candidate’s own interests
• Teach in-person and/or virtually based on program need Contribute to the University’s mission of “Learn by Doing”
• Develop and maintain an active research agenda that involves undergraduate students

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 9-12 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.

Additional efforts to manage instructors’ workload include offering course release credit for advising students’ capstone senior projects and, when possible, allowing faculty to teach multiple sections of the same course in the same term and/or to teach hybrid classes in a combined face-to-face and asynchronous modality.

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 position is open and available to all regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin. Consistent with California law and federal civil…