Assistant Professor Political Science - African American Politics and/or Policy (25/26)

Assistant Professor of Political Science - African American Politics and/or Policy

The Department of Political Science in the College of Liberal Arts at California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly), San Luis Obispo, California, invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track, academic-year Assistant Professor with specialization in African American politics and/or policy, to begin on September 11, 2025.  Ph.D. in Political Science or a related field is required at time of appointment.  Evidence of strong teaching skills and an active research program is required.

The successful candidate should be prepared to teach African American politics and policy as well as courses within their specialty related to U.S. politics.  Other teaching responsibilities may include courses based upon applicant's ability to demonstrate expertise in other areas. Successful candidates will have  demonstrated teaching and research experience in social justice issues. Some departmental administrative responsibilities and service to the university are required. Continued professional development is required.

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

Cal Poly strongly values diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), in the classroom, in scholarship, and in service experience. This position is part of a university-wide cluster of searches designed to increase curricular coverage of areas related to DEI, as well as to promote inclusive and equity-minded teaching strategies across the university. Successful candidates will be expected to contribute to the university’s goals in these areas. Candidates selected through this DEI cluster hire will be given start-up funds to support their work in DEI and a dedicated mentor will be given upon appointment. Once hired, candidates will collaborate with their dean and others to develop a plan for utilizing these funds for supplemental compensation, assigned time, or professional development activities.  

For more information about Cal Poly’s DEI-Focused Cluster Hires, please visit: https://academic-personnel.calpoly.edu/clusterhire

The other searches are for positions in the following disciplines across campus:

• African American Psychology (Psychology & Child Development)
• DEI-focused University Archivist (Special Collections and Archives, Library)
• Director of General Engineering (Dept. dependent on specialty)
• Environmental Health in Latinx/e Populations (Kinesiology and Public Health)
• Environmental Justice and Sustainable Development, focus on Latinx/e or Black populations (Natural Resources and Environmental Science)
• Environmental Social Justice, Latinx/e focus (Social Sciences)
• Metadata and Cataloguing Librarian (Collection Strategies and Discovery, Library)
• Spanish Language Journalism (Journalism)

 

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 (three courses) per quarter, 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. Cal Poly strongly values diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), especially in the classroom and among its areas of study.

The College of Liberal Arts (CLA) sees diversity as central to its mission and is committed to fostering an equitable and inclusive environment within the college and university. We value our diversity of complex and intersecting identities, while striving to maintain an environment that is equitable, respectful, and inclusive. The successful applicant should be able to clearly demonstrate how they have infused these values and student learning objectives into their work. They should be prepared to present clear examples of how they would infuse these areas into their work as a faculty member.

At California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, we believe that cultivating an environment that embraces and promotes diversity is fundamental to the su