Assistant Professor of Geography - Socioeconomic Geography

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 to begin approximately August 12, 2027. Position requires expertise in a field of Socioeconomic Geography (e.g. political geography, urban geography, conflict geography, human rights, international development, feminist, health, or others) and the application of current and emerging geospatial technologies including GIS, remote sensing, artificial intelligence, prompt engineering, data analytics and visualization, or machine learning.

A global regional focus is open, but preference for Sub‑Saharan Africa, Asia, or Latin America that complements our program‘s global emphasis. Ability to implement Cal Poly’s Teacher‑Scholar model by including students in research activities is strongly desired. Teaching assignments include courses in human and global geography, geospatial techniques, and specialized courses designed by the candidate.

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 to begin approximately August 12, 2027. Position requires expertise in a field of Socioeconomic Geography (e.g. political geography, urban geography, conflict geography, human rights, international development, feminist, health, or others) and the application of current and emerging geospatial technologies including GIS, remote sensing, artificial intelligence, prompt engineering, data analytics and visualization, or machine learning.

A global regional focus is open, but preference for Sub‑Saharan Africa, Asia, or Latin America that complements our program‘s global emphasis. Ability to implement Cal Poly’s Teacher‑Scholar model by including students in research activities is strongly desired. Teaching assignments include courses in human and global geography, geospatial techniques, and specialized courses designed by the candidate. Candidate selected will be responsible for creative lecture and applied laboratory teaching approaches that include current and emerging technologies to enhance student education and for participating in scholarly practices such as research, conference presentations, and grant development that can lead to publication.

The successful candidate will also be expected to pursue a systematic program of professional development, curricular improvement, and to participate in service activities including committees, student advising, and building industry relationships. Cal Poly operates on a teacher‑scholar model in which faculty are expected to be excellent teachers, to produce scholarship in their field of interest, and provide service to the institution.

Including students in research and scholarship is encouraged and supports the Cal Poly Learn by Doing motto. 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 of 3 units in each semester of the first two years to help new faculty establish an active program of research and professional development. Subject to further…