Assistant/Associate Professor, Agricultural Economics

Location: San Luis Obispo, CA

About the Role

The Agricultural Business Department (AGB) in the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA, is seeking a full-time, academic year, tenure-track Assistant/Associate Professor of Agricultural Economics starting approximately August 12, 2027.

The successful candidate will build on Cal Poly’s strong reputation in California’s agricultural industries to train the next generation of agricultural leaders. AGB seeks an Assistant or Associate Professor with capacity to teach two or more of the following topics: agricultural economics, agricultural finance, agricultural policy, agricultural data analytics, and agricultural management. Teaching responsibilities may include basic and intermediate courses in these topics.

Developing relationships with stakeholders in California’s agricultural industries is strongly encouraged, as is collaboration with other departments in the college and with other colleges at Cal Poly. Other duties may include supervision of undergraduate senior projects and advising student clubs and national competition teams.

The successful candidate is expected to participate in scholarly activities (i.e., research, grant writing, publications, presentations) as part of their professional development. Research collaboration with undergraduate students is particularly valued. The successful candidate is also expected to provide service on committees for the department, college, and university, as well as service to state, national, and professional organizations.

Responsibilities

• Teach two or more of the following topics: agricultural economics, agricultural finance, agricultural policy, agricultural data analytics, and agricultural management (basic and intermediate courses).
• Develop relationships with stakeholders in California’s agricultural industries.
• Collaborate with other departments in the college and with other colleges at Cal Poly.
• Supervise undergraduate senior projects and advise student clubs and national competition teams.
• Participate in scholarly activities, including research, grant writing, publications, and presentations.
• Provide service on committees for the department, college, and university, as well as to state, national, and professional organizations.

Requirements

• An earned doctorate (Ph.D.) in Agricultural Economics, Resource Economics, Economics, Business Administration, Management, or a closely related field. Candidates nearing completion of the doctorate (ABD) may be considered but must provide proof that the doctorate was awarded prior to the start of the appointment.
• Demonstrated or potential for excellence in teaching, effective communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated proficiency in written and oral use of the English language.
• Demonstrated or potential ability to secure external funding and publish research.
• Ability to interact well with peers, students, industry partners, and the general public.
• Demonstrated experience and commitment to student-centered learning and teaching.
• Demonstrated ability to collaboratively work in multidisciplinary settings.
• Strong interests in undergraduate and graduate teaching.
• A demonstrated commitment to fostering inclusive, equitable, and supportive learning environments.

Preferred Qualifications

• Applied and innovative research background, with research into areas with clear application to California Agriculture.
• Industry experience.
• University-level teaching experience.
• A record of successful academic research.
• Demonstrated ability to generate external funding.

Pay

Anticipated hiring ranges:

• Assistant Professor: $90,948 - $105,156
• Associate Professor: $105,492 - $114,720

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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Cal Poly is a smoke and tobacco-free campus.
• 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 Agribusiness Department of the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences is comprised of nearly 600 undergraduate majors, over 140 minors, 13 tenured/tenure track faculty, one Full-time lecturer, and several Part-time lecturers. The program offers a B.S. in Agribusiness, as well as a minor in Agribusiness.

The curriculum is diverse with key classes in data analytics, agricultural economics, accounting, and sales, and more advanced classes in marketing, agricultural policy, finance, risk management, supply chain management, human resource management, the value-added food sector, the retail sector, global agricultural trade, and data analytics. Experiential learning and industry interaction are integral components of the curriculum.

The department has earned numerous national student contest awards in competitions sponsored by the National Agricultural Marketing Association, Food Distribution Research Society, the National Grocers Association, and others. The department’s research and education activities are conducted on a wide array of issues that include U.S. and California agricultural policies, new and emerging industries, agribusiness management, resource management, supply-chain and retail management, agricultural marketing, and technology adoption in agriculture.