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 terrestrial mammalogy, with appointment beginning approximately August 12, 2027.

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 will create synergy in the department via teaching and student-centered research in terrestrial mammalogy with locally relevant field work in California systems. Areas of emphasis could include integrative biology, evolution, phylogenetics, phylogeography, conservation science, physiology or wildlife ecology. Research opportunities include the use of and curatorship of the Vertebrate Natural History Collection and existing Cal Poly lands, projects, and initiatives.

Cal Poly is focused on excellence in undergraduate teaching. 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. 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 may include lower-division lecture and/or lab courses for both majors and nonmajors in the areas of general biology, diversity, evolution and/or ecology, as well as upper-level courses in Mammalogy, Wildlife Ecology, Wildlife Management, Vertebrate Field Techniques, Population and Community Ecology, and other courses in the candidate's area of specialty.

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Biology 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.
• Expertise in mammalogy in an area compatible with or broadening the department's research activities.
• Demonstrate teaching effectiveness in lower division labs or lectures.
• 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.