Assistant Professor of Geospatial Engineering; AY

Overview

Assistant Professor of Geospatial Engineering (AY 26/27). Job No: 552331. Work Type:
Instructional Faculty – Tenured/Tenure-Track.

Location:

Central California:
San Luis Obispo. Department:
Civil & Environmental Engineering, College of Engineering, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly). Cal Poly invites applications for a full-time, academic year, tenure-track faculty position at the Assistant Professor rank beginning Fall 2026. Cal Poly supports a Learn by Doing philosophy and emphasizes teacher-scholar work with strong pedagogic skills and current disciplinary proficiency.

The successful candidate will demonstrate a strong interest in teaching and curriculum development in Geospatial Engineering for resilient and adaptive civil engineering infrastructures. The position also envisions scholarly activity of high quality as evidenced by external peer review and service contributions at department, college, and university levels.

• Teach undergraduate and graduate lecture courses and laboratories in civil engineering and geospatial engineering.
• Contribute to curriculum development in the area of geospatial engineering.
• Supervise undergraduate and graduate-level research.
• Develop and maintain externally funded research programs.
• Engage in service activities at the department, college, and university levels.

• An earned doctorate (Ph.D.) in Geospatial Engineering, Geomatics, Civil Engineering, or a closely related field from an accredited institution or international equivalent (ABD considered with proof of completion prior to start of appointment).
• Proven excellence in teaching, effective communication and interpersonal skills, and ability to work with students, staff, and faculty.
• Ability to develop externally funded, applied research involving undergraduate and graduate students and partnerships with stakeholders.
• Commitment to hands-on, student-centered learning and to interdisciplinary collaboration in multidisciplinary settings.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.

• Demonstrated excellence in university-level teaching and research (time-since-degree dependent).
• Experience with field- and/or laboratory-based instruction and high-impact educational practices.
• Professional licensure or relevant certifications (e.g., Professional Land Surveyor) and/or industry experience in geospatial engineering.
• Experience working with diverse populations and fostering an inclusive environment.

• Mandated reporter under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act; comply with CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.
• A background check (including criminal records) is required after a conditional offer of employment; failure to satisfactorily complete may result in withdrawal of the offer.
• Current employees may be subject to background checks for positions designated as sensitive.
• Health and safety:
  Cal Poly is a smoke- and tobacco-free campus.
• Out-of-State Employment Policy: CSU employment outside California is restricted; tenure-line faculty are expected to maintain on-campus presence.
• Possible transition to semester-based year-round operations (YRO) with teaching in two consecutive semesters as the regular academic year; additional compensation may be available subject to needs and policy.

To apply, complete the online faculty application and attach: (1) cover letter detailing qualifications and interest; (2) current CV; (3) statement of goals and plans for research; (4) unofficial transcripts; (5) Universal Student Success Statement.

Prompt:
Cal Poly is a public, student-centered university with a strong emphasis on the teacher-scholar model. Detail your approach to teaching and learning at the collegiate level, including inclusive and accessible teaching strategies, and how you will develop this at Cal Poly. Include any service or scholarship related to these areas.

References:
Provide three professional references with names and emails when completing the online application. Finalists will be asked to provide three letters of reference; official transcripts will be required prior to final consideration.

Visa sponsorship:
Cal Poly does not guarantee visa sponsorship; applicants should not expect sponsorship to be offered.

Application timeline:
For full consideration, apply by December 1, 2025. Applications received after this date may be considered.

Questions:
Please contact Bing Qu at bqu.

The Civil & Environmental Engineering Department has two B.S. degree programs with ABET accreditation and multiple student organizations. The department also offers an M.S. degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering with approximately 50 active graduate students. For more information about the department, applicants may visit Cal Poly’s CEENVE site in their online resources (content presented without external links in this format).

EEO statements and…