Assistant Professor - Materials Engineering; AY

Assistant Professor - Materials Engineering (AY 26/27)

Job no: 552609
Work type:
Instructional Faculty – Tenured/Tenure-Track

Location:

San Luis Obispo
Categories:
Unit 3 - CFA - California Faculty Association, Tenured/Tenure-Track, Full Time, Faculty - Engineering

The Materials Engineering Department in the College of Engineering at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly) invites applications for a full-time, academic-year, tenure-track faculty position at the Assistant Professor rank beginning Fall 2026.

Cal Poly has a tradition of excellence in teaching and scholarship that supports a curriculum centered on a "Learn by Doing" philosophy and a focus on preparing graduates to make a positive impact on their world day one. Faculty are expected to exhibit strong pedagogic skills, remain proficient and current in their disciplines, and engage in high-quality research. The successful candidate will teach undergraduate courses, support curricular development, advise senior projects, and serve the university at all levels.

• Teach undergraduate courses in Materials Engineering and/or Chemical Engineering, including laboratory-based instruction.
• Develop and expand curricular offerings in Materials Engineering and Chemical Engineering.
• Advising senior projects and graduate students.
• Conduct externally funded, applied research involving undergraduate and graduate students and partnerships with key stakeholders.
• Participate in faculty service activities at the department, college, and university levels.
• Develop inclusive instructional practices and contribute to campus diversity, equity, & inclusion initiatives.

Required:

• Earned doctorate (Ph.D.) in Materials Engineering, Materials Science & Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a closely related field from an accredited institution or international equivalent.
• Proof that the doctorate is awarded prior to or by the start of the appointment (ABD status permitted with evidence).
• Excellence in teaching, effective communication, and interpersonal skills; ability to work effectively with students, staff, and faculty.
• Ability to develop an externally funded, applied research program that incorporates undergraduate and graduate students.
• Strong written and oral communication skills in English.
• Experience or commitment to hands‑on, student‑centered learning.
• Demonstrated experience working in multidisciplinary settings.

• Demonstrated excellence in university-level teaching and research, commensurate with time since degree.
• Experience with laboratory-based instruction and/or industry experience.
• Experience working with diverse populations and fostering an inclusive environment.
• Teaching expertise in areas of need: ceramics and glasses.
• Teaching expertise in additional emphases: fundamentals of chemical engineering.

The candidate will be considered a "mandated reporter" under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and must comply with CSU Executive Order 1083. A conditional offer of employment requires a satisfactory criminal background check before employment commences. Immigration attorneys are not covered by Cal Poly; applicants are responsible for their own fees.

Applicants should complete a required online faculty application and submit the following supplemental documents:

• Cover letter detailing qualifications and interest.
• Curriculum vitae (CV).
• Statement of research goals and plans.
• Unofficial transcripts.
• Universal Student Success Statement.
• Three professional references.

Please be prepared to provide three letters of reference for finalists and official transcripts prior to appointment. For visa sponsorship, Cal Poly does not guarantee sponsorship; applicants should not expect it.

Search Committee Chair:
Trevor Harding – tharding.

Cal Poly is a smoke‑free campus.

Subject to further planning, Cal Poly anticipates a possible transition to semester‑based year‑round operations (YRO). Faculty may be assigned to teach in two consecutive semesters of the three offered annually, with optional teaching in a third semester.