Assistant/Associate Professor, Technology Adoption and Human Resources

Cal Poly•San Luis, CA

17d

About The Position

The Agricultural Business Department (AGB) in the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA, is seeking a full-time, academic year, tenure‐track Assistant/Associate Professor of Technology Adoption and Human Resources starting August 17, 2026. Rank and salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. The successful candidate will build on Cal Poly’s strong position within the California agricultural industry to train the next generation of agricultural leaders, and will advance AGB’s capacity to develop programing in technology adoption and the implications for human resource management. California agricultural producers are having to adapt quickly to rising labor costs and lower labor availability, causing a surge in automated technologies being developed and adopted in agricultural production. In addition, the entire food value chain is adopting more advanced technology to track and manage agricultural products as they move from producer to processor to consumer. To train leaders that can help manage and advance these trends, AGB seeks an Assistant or Associate Professor to focus on technology adoption and human resource management. The successful candidate will support AGB’s efforts to assess the commercial viability of technologies under development, the skills workers require to successfully adapt to the changing technological environment, and the workforce training and development implications of these trends. The successful candidate will be expected to develop contacts among California’s agricultural producers, technology producers, and the food distribution industry. The position will also be expected to work with other CAFES departments and centers, such as Biological, Resource, and Agricultural Engineering (BRAE) and the Cal Poly Strawberry Center. Teaching responsibilities may include courses such as basic and intermediate agricultural economics, human resource management, data analytics, quantitative management methods, and agribusiness management. Collaborations with other departments in the college, and with other colleges, are encouraged. Duties may include but are not limited to supervision of undergraduate senior projects and advising student clubs and national competition teams. The successful candidate is expected to participate in scholarly activities (i.e., research, grant writing, publications, presentations) as part of their professional development. Research collaboration with undergraduate students is particularly valued. The successful candidate is also expected to provide service on committees for the department, college, and university, as well as service to state, national, and professional organizations.

Requirements

An earned doctorate (Ph.D.) in Agricultural Economics, Resource Economics, Economics, Business Administration, Management, or a closely related field. Candidates nearing completion of the doctorate (ABD) may be considered but must provide proof that the doctorate was awarded prior to the start of the appointment.
Candidates must demonstrate, or show potential for, excellence in teaching, effective communication, interpersonal skills, and ability to be a team player.
Demonstrated proficiency in written and oral use of the English language is required.
Candidates must also demonstrate, or show potential for, an ability to secure external funding and publish research.
The ability to interact well with peers, students, industry partners, and the general public is essential.
Demonstrated experience and commitment to student-centered learning and teaching, as well as demonstrated ability to collaboratively work in multidisciplinary settings are required.
Strong interests in undergraduate and graduate teaching are required.
Demonstrated commitment to fostering inclusive, equitable, and supportive learning environments is required.

Nice To Haves

Preference will be given to candidates with applied and innovative research backgrounds, and with research into areas with clear application to California Agriculture.
Industry experience, university level teaching experience, a record of successful academic research, and the demonstrated ability to generate external funding will all be given preference.

Responsibilities

Teaching responsibilities may include courses such as basic and intermediate agricultural economics, human resource management, data analytics, quantitative management methods, and agribusiness management.
Supervision of undergraduate senior projects
Advising student clubs and national competition teams
Participate in scholarly activities (i.e., research, grant writing, publications, presentations) as part of their professional development.
Provide service on committees for the department, college, and university, as well as service to state, national, and professional organizations.

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