Assistant Professor- Human Geography and Technology

San José State University • San José, CA

4d • $85,000 - $95,000

About The Position

The School of Planning, Policy, and Environmental Studies at San José State University (SJSU) invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position specializing in Human Geography and Technology. The successful candidate’s teaching and research should be grounded in core geographic concepts (e.g., place, scale, territory, mobility). We seek a teacher-scholar whose research and teaching actively engage with issues related to underserved and marginalized communities. The ideal candidate will demonstrate a commitment to fostering equity, inclusion, and social justice through their scholarship and pedagogy, with a particular focus on how geographic processes impact underrepresented groups from the local to global level, and who has expertise in critical technology studies and qualitative research methods. Their work should reveal how technology both shapes and is shaped by spatial, cultural, and political dynamics. Candidates must add depth to our in person and online offerings. In the near future, we will launch a combined Geography/Global Studies BA online/hybrid degree program and the successful candidate is expected to play a key role in this endeavor. The successful candidate will be expected to develop and maintain an active research agenda in human geography, employing qualitative research methods such as ethnography, interviews, participatory action research, or narrative analysis. They should be capable of addressing critical issues such as urban inequality, environmental justice, migration, housing, healthy communities, or community empowerment, with a particular emphasis on how geography can inform public policy and planning practices that support vulnerable communities. The School of Planning, Policy, and Environmental Studies is home to nationally recognized and accredited interdisciplinary undergraduate and graduate programs that include four undergraduate and four graduate degrees. Our curriculum equips students with the knowledge, skills, and networks necessary to create sustainable, resilient communities. Anchored in shared values, research, and partnerships, we create innovative yet practical solutions and thought leadership that utilize the San Francisco Bay Area as a unique living lab and address the existential challenges facing human and natural environments. The School of Planning, Policy, and Environmental Studies is part of the College of Social Sciences, which is committed to equitable and inclusive teaching and learning. The College sees faculty and student success as inextricably linked, and strives to provide culturally-sustaining, and academically-affirming approaches to supporting and engaging students and faculty. We provide opportunities for faculty development around asset-based, holistic student success, and support scholarship of engagement that addresses issues that affect our campus and community. In all of our endeavors, we strive to build leadership capacity and foster a culture of support and belonging for faculty, staff, and students. SJSU enrolls more than 40,000 students, many of whom are historically underserved; approximately 45% of our undergraduate students are first-generation college students and 38% are Pell Grant recipients. In addition, we are both a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) and an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPISI). SJSU aspires to create holistic learning environments that facilitate both individual and collective transformation. We seek teacher-scholars who cultivate inclusive, empowering spaces for mutual learning, skill-building, and knowledge exchange for all students. Our commitment to lifelong learning supports meaningful connections among faculty, staff, students, alumni, and the broader communities we serve. We invite all applicants to include a Statement of Institutional Excellence (or incorporate it into your cover letter) to share how your lived and professional experiences will contribute to the SJSU community—particularly in relation to student success.

Requirements

• A Ph.D. in Geography or a closely related field
• Prior experience in postdoctoral research or academic teaching.
• Expertise in qualitative research methods and a demonstrated focus on issues affecting underserved communities.
• Strong commitment and/or experience teaching and mentoring students in a diverse academic environment.
• Evidence of potential for significant scholarly contributions in human geography.
• Demonstrated expertise teaching in person and online courses.

Responsibilities

• Teach undergraduate and graduate courses in human geography, cultural geography, natural geography and qualitative research methods, and other areas aligned with the candidate’s expertise and departmental needs.
• Mentor and advise students and promote inclusive teaching practices.
• Establish and maintain a productive research agenda..
• Contribute to departmental and university service activities, including committee work, curriculum development, and community engagement.
• Collaborate with faculty, students, and community stakeholders to develop research that supports social justice and addresses the needs of marginalized communities.

Benefits

• Faculty employee benefits are very competitive for the higher education sector.
• See the CSU Employee Benefits Summary for details about the CSU’s excellent benefits package.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees