Assistant Professor of Sociology - Sociology: Race, Social Problems, Social Theory, and Research Methods (27/28)

Cal Poly • San Luis Obispo, CA

23d • $90,276 - $98,244 • Hybrid

About The Position

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 of Sociology to begin approximately August 12, 2027. The faculty member will teach at the flagship Cal Poly San Luis Obispo campus, as well as for Cal Poly’s Bachelor’s Pathway Program in Sociology at the Allan Hancock College campus in nearby Santa Maria. Ability to teach in the following areas is required: Race, Social Theory, and Research Methods. The ideal candidate will have a combination of university-level teaching experience and research potential. We are seeking applicants with a Ph.D. in sociology or closely related discipline conferred prior to or by the time of appointment, a successful teaching record, evidence of or potential for scholarly achievement in sociological research, and experience working with students (particularly undergraduate and/or underrepresented students) in research, teaching, service, advising, mentoring and/or community engagement. Teaching responsibilities will be balanced between the San Luis Obispo campus and the Bachelor’s Pathway Program in Sociology (i.e. the “Sociology BPP”). The Sociology BPP is a partnership between California Polytechnic State University and Allan Hancock College, a community college in Santa Maria (~35 minutes from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo). Students in the Sociology BPP apply at the end of, or after completing, their associate degree and, if accepted, complete two years of Cal Poly classes as transfer students at the Allan Hancock campus. Many Sociology BPP students are Latinx/e, lower socioeconomic status, and/or first generation. Sociology BPP students graduate with a BA in Sociology from Cal Poly.

Requirements

• An earned doctorate (Ph.D.) in Sociology or a related field from an accredited institution or international equivalent. Candidates nearing completion of the doctorate (ABD) may be considered but must provide proof that the doctorate will be awarded prior to or by the start of the appointment.
• Ability to teach courses in Race (US Race and Ethnic Relations and/or Global Race and Ethnic Relations), Social Theory (Classical Social Theory), and Sociological Research Methods (Quantitative and/or Qualitative Methods).
• Experience working with undergraduate students in research, teaching, service, advising, mentoring and/or community engagement
• Demonstrated experience working with diverse populations and fostering a collaborative, supportive, and inclusive environment
• Demonstrated university teaching experience.
• Demonstrated proficiency in written and oral use of the English language.
• Willingness to teach at both the Cal Poly San Luis Obispo campus and in Santa Maria to support the Sociology Bachelor’s Pathway program.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working with underrepresented students in research, teaching, service, advising, mentoring, and/or community engagement.
• Evidence of scholarly engagement with social justice-oriented frameworks, theories, and/or practices.
• Demonstrated expertise in critical studies of race.
• Demonstrated experience with academic program administration, student support initiatives, and/or collaborative leadership in higher education settings.
• Willingness to take on a program leadership role for the Sociology BPP, depending on future program need.
• Demonstrated experience with and commitment to student-centered learning and teaching.
• Demonstrated ability to collaboratively work in multidisciplinary settings.

Responsibilities

• Teach, conduct research, and perform Cal Poly service responsibilities at the San Luis Obispo campus to support the overall sociology program
• Teach at the Allan Hancock College campus in Santa Maria to support the Sociology BPP
• Advise students about concentrations and supervise senior projects
• Teach core and GE sociology courses in the areas of race, social theory, and/or research methods, as well as additional elective and concentration courses, depending on program need
• Develop and teach undergraduate classes based on the candidate’s own interests
• Teach in-person and/or virtually based on program need
• Contribute to the University’s mission of “Learn by Doing”
• Develop and maintain an active research agenda that involves undergraduate students

Benefits

• The typical teaching load is 9-12 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.
• Additional efforts to manage instructors’ workload include offering course release credit for advising students’ senior projects and, when possible, allowing faculty to teach multiple sections of the same course in the same term and/or to teach hybrid classes in a combined face-to-face and asynchronous modality.
• 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree