Job Details

Tenure Track Position - Microbiology

Job No: 552281

Work Type: Instructional Faculty Tenured/Tenure-Track

Location: Central California: San Luis Obispo

Categories: Bargaining Unit: Unit 3 - CFA - California Faculty Association, Appointment Type: Tenured/Tenure-Track, Time Basis: Full Time, Job Search Category/Discipline: Faculty - Natural Sciences, Workplace Type (Exclude Inst Fac): On-site (work in-person at business location)

Job Summary

The Biological Sciences Department in the Bailey College of Science and Mathematics at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, is seeking applicants to fill a full-time, academic year, tenure track position in microbiology at the assistant professor rank, with appointment beginning August 17, 2026.

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 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. The successful candidate will also implement a student?centered research program that involves both undergraduate and graduate (Master's) students. The preferred candidate will have expertise in vector?borne diseases, parasitology, mycology, or environmental microbiology. In addition, the candidate is expected to contribute to departmental and college service and participate in university shared governance.

The successful candidate will join Cal Poly's Biological Sciences Department and engage in teaching, research/scholarship, and service within the department as well as in cross?disciplinary collaborations. Candidates can explore connections with the department's areas of expertise including ecology and evolutionary biology, marine science, anatomy and physiology, and cellular and molecular biology. Research opportunities may include the Center for Applications in Biotechnology, the Center for Coastal Marine Sciences, the Regenerative Medicine Masters program, and existing Cal Poly lands, projects, and initiatives.

Cal Poly is focused on excellence in undergraduate teaching. Faculty in the Biological Sciences Department typically teach 2?4 lecture 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 will routinely include lower?division lecture and/or lab courses for both majors and nonmajors in the microbiology or cell and molecular biology areas, as well as upper?level courses in the candidate's area of specialty.

Bailey College is committed to maintaining the excellence of the University and to offering our students a rich variety of expertise, perspectives, and ways of knowing and learning. The successful candidate will be mindful to promote student success. Successful candidates should consider the University's goals in their approach to teaching, research, and service.

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.

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Biology, Microbiology 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.


• Demonstrate teaching effectiveness in lower division labs or lectures.


• Expertise in microbiology in an area compatible with or broadening the department's research activities.


• 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.

Special Conditions

• Mandated reporter under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and required to comply with CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.


• Background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before start of employment. Failure to complete the background check may result in withdrawal of the offer of employment.

About the Department

The Biological Sciences Department is the largest academic unit within the Bailey College of Science and Mathematics and is one of the largest departments at Cal Poly. There are approximately 900 undergraduate students and 50 graduate students. The department's mission is to offer majors leading to a Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Sciences, Marine Science, or Microbiology; provide courses to satisfy biology requirements for other majors; and meet general education and breadth requirements for Cal Polys entire student population. The department offers approximately 125 different courses to over 10,000 students annually, with the majority of courses having a laboratory component. 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. Cal Poly is a primarily undergraduate university offering 66 bachelors degrees and 27 masters degrees. Operating on a semester calendar system beginning August 2026, Cal Poly takes pride in its Learn?by?Doing approach to teaching and learning.

Equal Opportunity and Excellence in Education and Employment

This position is open and available to all regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Cal Poly provides equal opportunity in education and employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Cal Poly complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, Californias Proposition 209, and CSUs Nondiscrimination Policy. Cal Poly is a diverse community committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and intellectually vibrant environment.

How to Apply

Interested candidates must submit the following documents:

1. Cover Letter


2. Curriculum Vitae (CV)


3. Research Plan outlines your proposed research agenda and demonstrates your expertise and potential as a researcher in microbiology at Cal Poly.


4. Universal Student Success Statement detail your approach to teaching and learning at the collegiate level, including evidence of inclusive, accessible, and intentional teaching practices, and describe how you will continue to develop this expertise at Cal Poly.


5. Unofficial graduate transcript(s) as one document.

These documents are not accepted in hard copy format. When completing the online faculty application, provide three professional references with names and email addresses. Official transcripts are required prior to appointment.

Review of applications will begin December 1, 2025. Complete applications received after that date may be considered. For questions, contact Dr. Michael Black at ...@calpoly.edu.

To apply: All applicants must apply online at