Assistant/Associate Professor, Experience Design

About the Role

The Experience Industry Management Department 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 Experience Design, starting approximately August 12, 2027. The successful candidate will contribute broadly to the experience industry, with a primary scholarly and teaching emphasis on experience design. The position offers an exciting opportunity to shape how students learn to design, deliver, and evaluate meaningful experiences across tourism, events, hospitality, sport, recreation, and emerging experience-based sectors.

Responsibilities

• Teach undergraduate courses in the Experience Industry Management Department, including courses such as Experience Design: Theories and Applications, Introduction to the Experience Industry, Sustainability in the Experience Industry, Evaluation and Assessment Methods in the Experience Industries, Interpreting Experience Industry Data Analytics, Strategic Event Planning, and Strategic Event Implementation, and Senior Project
• Supervise undergraduate senior projects and internships
• Advise students
• Teach online or in certificate programs
• Participate in scholarly activities (i.e., research, grant writing, publications, and presentations) in an area of expertise directly related to experience design, design thinking, customer/guest experience, data analytics and/or artificial intelligence, or a related field
• Play a central role in leading projects, pursuing external funding, and advancing the mission of the Experience Innovations Lab
• Provide service on committees for the department, college, and university
• Participate in related instructional activities
• Provide service to local, state, national, international, and related professional organizations

Required Qualifications

• An earned doctorate (Ph.D.) in experience design, tourism, event management, hospitality, sport management, recreation, marketing, psychology, 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.
• Demonstrate, or show potential for, excellence in teaching, effective communication, interpersonal skills, and ability to be a team player
• Demonstrated proficiency in written and oral use of the English language
• Demonstrate, or show potential for, an 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
• A demonstrated commitment to fostering inclusive, equitable, and supportive learning environments

Preferred Qualifications

• Applied and innovative research backgrounds in experience design and the broader experience industry, including areas such as design thinking, customer/guest experience, and data analytics and/or artificial intelligence in the experience industry
• Industry experience in experience design or related experience-industry sectors
• University-level teaching experience
• A record of successful academic research
• Demonstrated ability to generate external funding
• Experience with course development
• Ability to collaborate on research with faculty across the College, University, and industry
• International experience or the desire to cultivate international links

Pay

Anticipated hiring ranges: Assistant Professor: $90,948 – $105,156; Associate Professor: $105,492 – $114,720. Rank and salary commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Schedule

Full-time, academic year. 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 Experience Industry Management (EIM) Department in the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences offers a B.S. in Experience and Event Management and a minor in Event Planning and Experience Management. The Experience Industry Management department, accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Parks, Recreation, Tourism and Related Professions, offers areas of study in Event Planning and Management, Tourism, Hospitality and Destination Management, and Sport and Recreation Management. The Experience Industry Management department's vision is to cultivate leaders and innovators in industries that promote healthy lifestyles, protect memorable places, and facilitate life-enhancing experiences for individuals, communities, and the global society.

How To Apply

Review will begin on October 1, 2026. Applicants are encouraged to submit materials by that date for full consideration; however, applications received after this date may be considered.

Interested candidates must attach the following when completing the online faculty application:

• Cover letter
• Resume/curriculum vitae
• Unofficial transcripts of the highest degree
• Goals and plans for research
• Universal Student Success Statement (prompt below)
• At least three professional references with names and email addresses

Universal Student Success Statement 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.

Finalists for the position will be required to provide 3 letters of recommendation. The selected candidate will be required to provide sealed official transcripts prior to appointment for final consideration.

Inquiries can be directed to Dr. Kevin Lin, Search Committee Chair, Experience Industry Management Department, (805) 756-5091, yk***@*****ly.edu.