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MATERIALS ENGINEERING TENURE-TRACK FACULTY POSITION
The Materials Engineering Department in the College of Engineering at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, California (Cal Poly) is excited to invite 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 focused on preparing graduates to make a positive impact on their world day one. Cal Poly is committed to the teacher-scholar model. As teachers, faculty are expected to exhibit strong pedagogic skills and to remain proficient and current in their disciplines. The successful candidate will be expected to teach undergraduate level courses and support and expand curricular development in Materials and/or Chemical Engineering. As scholars, faculty should be engaged in scholarly work that is of very high quality as evidenced by external peer review. As colleagues, faculty are encouraged to perform service activities at all levels of the University. Faculty are also expected to advise senior projects in their domain of expertise.
Salary will be commensurate with education and experience of the individual selected. Qualified candidates with industry experience are encouraged to apply. Anticipated hiring range: $106,000 - $117,000 per year.
The College of Engineering at Cal Poly is committed to building a faculty of teacher-scholars who collaborate to provide a multi-disciplinary and hands-on approach to inclusive excellence in student learning and applied research. We believe that individuals from broad backgrounds strengthen our programs and positively impact student success. We encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for consideration. Cal Poly emphasizes Learn by Doing, which involves extensive lab work and projects in support of theoretical knowledge.
ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT
The Materials Engineering (MATE) Department, with approximately 220 undergraduate students and 15 faculty, is a relatively small and dynamic community of collaborators meeting the technical challenges of the twenty-first century. We are dedicated to providing an outstanding hands-on education and contributing to our College’s vision of leading engineering education. We emphasize excellence and innovation in teaching, scholarship, service, and collegiality. The department is considering creation of a concentration in chemical engineering.
For more information about the department, please visit https://mate.calpoly.edu/
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
An earned doctorate (Ph.D.) in Materials Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, Chemical Engineering or a closely related field from an accredited institution or international equivalent is required for appointment. Candidates nearing completion of the doctorate (ABD) will be considered but must provide proof that the doctorate was awarded prior to or by the start of the appointment.
The successful candidate will demonstrate excellence in teaching, effective communication, and interpersonal skills and must have the ability to work effectively with students, staff and faculty. Candidates must demonstrate the ability to develop an externally funded, applied research program that involves undergraduate and graduate students, and partnerships with key stakeholders. Demonstrated experience and commitment to hands-on, student-centered learning and teaching, as well as demonstrated ability to collaboratively work in multidisciplinary settings are required. Excellent written and oral communication skills and strong interests in undergraduate and graduate teaching are required. Demonstrated proficiency in written and oral use of the English language is required.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Preference will be given to candidates with a 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 a collaborative, supportive, and inclusive environment is preferred.
Preference will be given primarily to candidates able to teach courses and advise student projects in areas of need and secondarily to candidates able to teach courses in additional areas of emphasis for the Materials Engineering Department. Areas of need include ceramics and glasses. Additional areas of emphasis include the fundamentals of chemical engineering.
Faculty employees who wish to apply for permanent residency will be responsible for retaining an immigration attorney. All filing and attorney's fees will be incurred by the faculty member.
HOW TO APPLY
To apply, applicants should complete a required online faculty application and attach the following supplemental documents: (1) cover letter providing details of the applicant's qualifications and interest in the position; (2) current CV; (3) statement of goals and plans for research; (4) copy of unofficial transcripts; and (5) Universal Student Success Statement (see prompt below).
Prompt:
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 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 be prepared to provide three professional references with names and email addresses when completing the online faculty application. Finalists for the position will be required to provide 3 letters of reference. The selected candidate will be required to provide official transcripts prior to appointment for final consideration.
Cal Poly’s ability to sponsor employment-based visas will depend on institutional priorities, budget availability, and current federal regulations. Cal Poly does not commit to providing visa sponsorship for this position, and applicants should not expect that such sponsorship will be offered.
For full consideration, candidates are encouraged to apply by the Review Begin Date, December 1, 2025. Applications received after this date may be considered.
For the full ad posting and further details, please visit:
For questions, please contact search committee chair Trevor Harding via tharding@calpoly.edu.
