Assistant Professor of Music - Musicology/Music History (AY 26/27)
About The Position
The Music Department in the College of Liberal Arts at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly), is seeking applications for a full-time, academic-year, tenure-track Assistant Professor to begin August 17, 2026. We seek a dynamic teacher-scholar whose scholarship and teaching in historical musicology reflect a commitment to inclusive and global perspectives. The successful candidate will sustain and develop the department's music history and elective sequence required for our NASM-accredited degree, supervise student research and senior projects, contribute to preparations for year-round operations if needed, and support curricular innovation aligned with Cal Poly's Teacher-Scholar Model. The appointee will teach undergraduate courses in Western art music and electives that reflect research specializations complementing our existing faculty (e.g., global music histories, classical genres, popular styles, gender studies, music for media, or community-based scholarship). The appointee will maintain an active research and publication agenda with participation in appropriate scholarly societies. The position also includes contributions to service, accreditation, and mentoring activities that support Cal Poly's mission of excellence, inclusion, and innovation. 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 in course load in each of the first two years to help new faculty establish an active program of research and professional development. 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.
Requirements
- Ph.D. in Musicology (or equivalent field) completed and conferred by the start of appointment (August 17, 2026).
- Published evidence of high-quality research and further scholarly potential.
- Demonstrated excellence in undergraduate teaching.
- Ability to teach the full range of core music history and music elective courses appropriate to the area of research specialization.
- Demonstrated proficiency in written and oral use of the English language.
Nice To Haves
- Pedagogical expertise that enhances student communication skills (in preparation for diverse careers as well as future graduate studies).
- Experience mentoring undergraduate research or senior projects.
- Pedagogy that aligns with Cal Poly's Learn by Doing philosophy.
- Ability to contribute to other areas within the Music curriculum.
- Experience with public musicology.
- Demonstrated ability to collaboratively work in multidisciplinary settings.
- Demonstrated experience working with diverse populations and fostering a collaborative, supportive, and inclusive environment.
- Demonstrated experience and commitment to student-centered learning and teaching.
Responsibilities
- Sustain and develop the department's music history and elective sequence required for our NASM-accredited degree
- Supervise student research and senior projects
- Contribute to preparations for year-round operations if needed
- Support curricular innovation aligned with Cal Poly's Teacher-Scholar Model
- Teach undergraduate courses in Western art music and electives that reflect research specializations complementing our existing faculty
- Maintain an active research and publication agenda with participation in appropriate scholarly societies
- Contributions to service, accreditation, and mentoring activities
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Industry
Educational Services
Education Level
Ph.D. or professional degree
Number of Employees
1,001-5,000 employees
