Tenure Track Position - Mammalogy

California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo – Biological Sciences Department in the Bailey College of Science and Mathematics is seeking applications for a full-time, academic year, tenure-track position in terrestrial mammalogy, with an 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 exceptional circumstances.

About the Role

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.

Cal Poly embraces a teacher-scholar model in which faculty are expected to be excellent teachers, produce scholarship in their field of interest, and provide service to the institution. The selected candidate will consider using creative teaching approaches that enhance student learning and participate in scholarly practices such as peer-reviewed research, conference presentations, and grant development that leads to publication. The selected candidate will pursue a systematic program of research and scholarship, curricular improvement, and participate in service activities including committee service, student advising, and building industry relationships.

Responsibilities

• Teach 2-4 lectures and/or lab courses per term, with potential reductions for mentoring student research or securing extramural funding.
• Develop and teach lower-division and upper-division courses in biology, mammalogy, wildlife ecology, and related fields.
• Maintain an active research program in terrestrial mammalogy, with opportunities for field work in California systems.
• Mentor undergraduate and graduate student research, including supervision of master’s theses.
• Engage in scholarly activities such as peer-reviewed research, conference presentations, and grant development.
• Participate in departmental and university service, including committee work, student advising, and fostering industry relationships.
• Promote student success and inclusivity in a diverse academic environment.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Biology or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated experience and commitment to student-centered learning and teaching.
• Evidence of (or potential for) high-quality teaching and research with students.
• Evidence of (or potential for) scholarly productivity.
• 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.
• Demonstrated teaching effectiveness in lower-division labs or lectures.
• Ability to establish and maintain a research program feasible at a primarily undergraduate institution.
• Experience supervising student research and master’s theses.

Special Conditions

• The person holding this position is considered a 'mandated reporter' under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and must comply with requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083.
• A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate may start work. Failure to complete the background check may result in the withdrawal of the offer of employment.
• Cal Poly cannot deny an applicant a position solely or in part due to a criminal conviction history until an individualized assessment is performed.
• Current employees offered positions on campus may be required to undergo a background check for sensitive positions.
• Faculty are expected to establish an on-campus presence to fulfill their responsibilities.
• Cal Poly is a smoke- and tobacco-free campus.
• Under the California State University (CSU) Out-of-State Employment Policy, hiring for this position is restricted to candidates who will perform work within California.
• Cal Poly anticipates a possible transition to semester-based year-round operations (YRO), where full-time academic year faculty may be assigned to teach in two consecutive semesters (Fall/Spring, Spring/Summer, or Summer/Fall) out of three offered annually.
• Visa sponsorship for this position is not guaranteed and will depend on institutional priorities, budget availability, and federal regulations.

Pay

The anticipated hiring range for the Assistant Professor rank is $97,788 - $107,628, commensurate with qualifications and experience.

About the Department

The Biological Sciences Department is the largest academic unit within the Bailey College of Science and Mathematics and one of the largest departments at Cal Poly, with approximately 900 undergraduate students and 50 graduate students. The department's mission includes:

• Offering majors leading to a Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Sciences, Marine Science, or Microbiology.
• Providing courses to satisfy biology requirements for other majors.
• Offering courses to meet general education and breadth requirements for Cal Poly’s entire student population.

The department offers approximately 125 different courses to over 10,000 students annually, with the majority including a laboratory component. The department comprises 36 full-time tenure/tenure-track faculty, 6 full-time lecturers, 35-40 part-time lecturers/teaching associates, and 8 support staff. The department has an annual operating budget of up to $230,000, with additional university support totaling several hundred thousand dollars. Faculty research grants have totaled almost $7 million over the past five years.

About the University

Founded in 1901, Cal Poly is one of only five comprehensive polytechnic universities in the nation, with approximately 22,000 undergraduates, 120 postbaccalaureate, and 900 graduate students. U.S. News and World Report has ranked Cal Poly #1 among public master’s universities in the western United States for 28 consecutive years. The university offers 66 baccalaureate degrees and 27 master’s degrees, operating on the semester calendar system as of August 2026.

Cal Poly is known for its "Learn-by-Doing" approach to teaching and learning and is one of the largest land-holding universities in the nation, using its land holdings to support educational programs. Located in San Luis Obispo, a city of 47,000 on California’s scenic Central Coast, Cal Poly is midway between San Francisco and Los Angeles and 12 miles from the Pacific Ocean.