Description

     Tenure Track Position - Microbiology

Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo

Job Description

Tenure Track Position- Microbiology

Job no: 552281
Work type: Instructional Faculty – Tenured/Tenure-Track
Location: San Luis Obispo
Categories:  Unit 3 - CFA - California Faculty Association, Tenured/Tenure-Track, Full Time, Faculty - Natural Sciences, On-site (work in-person at business location)

Job Summary

The Biological Sciences Department in the Bailey College of Science and Mathematics at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, is seeking applications to fill a full-time, academic year, tenure track position in microbiology at the assistant professor rank, with appointment beginning August 17, 2026.

The department is seeking an appointment at the rank of Assistant Professor; a higher rank may be considered in an exceptional situation. Rank and salary are commensurate with qualification and experience, with the anticipated Assistant Professor hiring range being $97,788 - $107,628.

Excellence in teaching, an active program in research and scholarship, and departmental service are expected. Successful candidates must be committed to high-quality undergraduate and graduate education and be enthusiastic about teaching a variety of biology courses including lower-division and large-enrollment offerings.  The successful candidate will also implement a student-centered research program that involves both undergraduate and graduate (Master’s) students. The preferred candidate will have expertise in vector-borne diseases, parasitology, mycology, or environmental microbiology.  In addition, the candidate is expected to contribute to departmental and college service and participate in university shared governance.

The successful candidate will join Cal Poly’s Biological Sciences Department and engage in teaching, research/scholarship, and service within the department as well as in cross-disciplinary collaborations. Candidates can explore connections with the department’s areas of expertise including ecology and evolutionary biology, marine science, anatomy and physiology, and cellular and molecular biology. Research opportunities may include the Center for Applications in Biotechnology, the Center for Coastal Marine Sciences, the Regenerative Medicine Masters program, and existing Cal Poly lands, projects, and initiatives.

Cal Poly is focused on excellence in undergraduate teaching. Faculty in the Biological Sciences Department typically teach 2-4 lectures and/or lab courses per term, with the opportunity to reduce this by mentoring student research and/or procuring extramural research funding. The teaching assignment for this position will routinely include lower-division lecture and/or lab courses for both majors and nonmajors in the microbiology or cell and molecular biology areas, as well as upper-level courses in the candidate's area of specialty.

Bailey College is committed to maintaining the excellence of the University and to offering our students a rich variety of expertise, perspectives, and ways of knowing and learning. The successful candidate will be mindful to promote student success. Successful candidates should consider the University’s goals in their approach to teaching, research, and service.

Cal Poly embraces a teacher-scholar model in which faculty are expected to be excellent teachers, produce scholarship in their field of interest, and provide service to the institution. The selected candidate will consider using creative teaching approaches that enhance student learning and participate in scholarly practices such as peer-reviewed research, conference presentations, and grant development that leads to publication. The selected candidate will pursue a systematic program of research and scholarship, curricular improvement, and participate in service activities including committee service, student advising, and building industry relationships.

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Biology, Microbiology or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated experience and commitment to student-centered learning and teaching.
• Must provide evidence of (or potential for) high quality teaching and research with students.
• Must provide evidence of (or potential for) scholarly productivity.
• Must provide evidence of (or potential for) promoting the well-being and advancement of students, colleagues, and the department.
• Ability to work with a diverse population fostering a respectful, collaborative, supportive, and inclusive environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience and commitment to excellence in teaching undergraduate biology at the university level.
• Demonstrate teaching effectiveness in lower division labs or lectures.
• Expertise in microbiology in an area compatible with or broadening the department’s research activities.
• Ability to establish and maintain a research program that is feasible at Cal Poly, a primarily undergraduate institution.
• Experience supervising student research and master’s theses.

Special Conditions

The person holding this position is considered a 'mandated reporter' under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.

Following a conditional offer of employment, a background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate may start work with Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may result in the withdrawal of the offer of employment. Note: Cal Poly cannot deny an applicant a position solely or in part due to a criminal conviction history until it has performed an individualized assessment and linked the relevant conviction history with specific job duties in the position being sought.

Please note: Current employees who are offered positions on campus will be required to undergo a background check for any position where a background check is required by law or that Cal Poly has designated as sensitive. Sensitive positions are those requiring heightened scrutiny of individuals holding the position based on potential for harm to children, concerns for the safety and security of people, animals, or property, or heightened risk of financial loss to Cal Poly or individuals in the university community.

For health and well-being, Cal Poly is a smoke & tobacco-free campus. The university is committed to promoting a healthy environment for all members of our community.

In accordance with the California State University (CSU) Out-of-State Employment Policy, the CSU is a state entity whose business operations reside within the State of California and prohibits hiring employees to perform CSU related work outside of California. It is also expected that faculty establish an on-campus presence to fulfill their responsibilities.  At Cal Poly, tenure-line faculty are expected to establish an on-campus presence.

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.

About the Department

The Biological Sciences Department is the largest academic unit within the Bailey College of Science and Mathematics and is one of the largest departments at Cal Poly. There are approximately 900 undergraduate students and 50 graduate students. The department's mission is three-fold: I) offer majors leading to a Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Sciences, Marine Science, or Microbiology; 2) offer courses to satisfy the biology requirements for other majors; and 3) offer courses to meet general education and breadth requirements for Cal Poly's entire student population. The department offers approximately 125 different courses to over 10,000 students annually, with the majority of courses having a laboratory component. The department is currently comprised of an elected department chair (3-year term), 33 full-time faculty, 4 full-time lecturers, 35-40 part-time faculty/teaching associates, approximately 25 student assistants, and 8 support staff of which 3 provide administrative support and 5 support classroom and research endeavors. Budgets within the department include an annual operating allocation up to $230,000, as well as several hundred thousand dollars of other university support. Faculty research grants have totaled almost $7 million over the past five years. More information regarding the Biological Sciences Department can be found at https://bio.calpoly.edu/.

About the University

Founded in 1901, Cal Poly is one of only five comprehensive polytechnic universities in the nation, with approximately 22,000 undergraduates, 120 postbaccalaureate, and 900 graduate students. U.S. News and World Report has ranked Cal Poly #1 among public master's universities in the western United States for 28 consecutive years. A primarily undergraduate university, Cal Poly offers academically focused students 66 baccalaureate degrees and 27 master's degrees. Operating on the semester calendar system as of August 2026, Cal Poly takes pride in its "Learn-by-Doing" approach to teaching and learning, which has characterized Cal Poly since its founding. One of the 22 campuses of the California State University system, Cal Poly has a statewide mandate as a polytechnic university. Cal Poly is one of the largest land-holding universities in the nation and uses all of its land holdings in active support of its educational programs. Cal Poly is located in historic San Luis Obispo, a city of 47,000, 12 miles from the Pacific Ocean and midway between San Francisco and Los Angeles on California's scenic Central Coast. With excellent public education resources, recreational facilities and an expanding dedication to the arts, the area is known for its scenic landscapes and extraordinarily temperate climate.

 Equal Opportunity and Excellence in Education and Employment

This position is open and available to all regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, Cal Poly provides equal opportunity in education and employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every student and employee has access to the resources and support they need to thrive and succeed in a university environment and in their communities. Cal Poly complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws, and CSU’s Nondiscrimination Policy. We prohibit discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all university programs, policies, and practices.

Cal Poly is a diverse community of individuals who represent many perspectives, beliefs and identities, committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and intellectually vibrant environment. We cultivate a culture of open dialogue, mutual respect, and belonging to support educational excellence and student success. Through academic programs, student organizations and activities, faculty initiatives, and community partnerships, we encourage meaningful engagement with diverse perspectives. As a higher education institution, we are dedicated to advancing knowledge and empowering individuals to reach their full potential by prioritizing inclusive curriculum development, faculty and staff training, student mentorship, and comprehensive support programs. At Cal Poly, excellence is built on merit, talent, diversity, accessibility, and equal opportunity for all.

How to Apply

Interested candidates must submit the following documents:

1. Cover Letter
2. Curriculum Vitae (CV)
3. Universal Student Success Statement - Cal Poly is a public, student-centered university that serves the diverse constituents of the state of California and has a strong emphasis on the teacher-scholar model. Please detail your approach to teaching and learning at the collegiate level, including any evidence of experience with inclusive, accessible, and intentional teaching, to a wide variety of students and a description of how you will continue to develop this expertise at Cal Poly. Service or scholarship related to skills developed in these areas might also be included here. Please articulate your teaching philosophy, approach, and goals within this statement.
4. Research Plan - The research plan provides an opportunity to outline your proposed research agenda and demonstrate your expertise and potential as a researcher in the field of microbiology at Cal Poly.
5. Unofficial graduate transcript(s) as one document.  

These documents are not accepted in hard copy format. When completing the online faculty application, please be prepared to provide three professional references with names and email addresses. Official transcripts are required prior to appointment.

Review of applications will begin December 1, 2025. Complete applications received after that date may be considered. For questions, please contact Dr. Michael Black at mblack@calpoly.edu.

To Apply: All applicants must apply online at: https://jobs.calpoly.edu/en-us/job/552281/tenure-track-position-microbiology