Job Details

Assistant/Associate Professor, Nutrition Science

Job No: 552670

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 - Agriculture

The Food Science and Nutrition 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 or Associate Professor of Nutrition Science starting August 17, 2026. Rank and salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Candidates must have a strong interest in and commitment to teaching and working with students of diverse cultural backgrounds. Their primary teaching contribution will be in Nutrition courses for Nutrition majors, including courses in nutrient metabolism at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Candidates are expected to demonstrate a commitment to excellence in teaching, effective communication, and interpersonal skills. In addition, candidates should be able to provide opportunities for Learn by Doing experiences and undergraduate research. The incumbent will be expected to actively contribute to the Master of Science in Nutrition program through supervising graduate students, participating in team?teaching assignments, and instructing graduate?level courses offered in both in?person and online modalities.

The incumbent will be expected to conduct research related to human nutrition. They will be expected to develop a successful research program, obtain external funding, publish in peer?reviewed scientific journals, present research at conferences, and supervise/mentor graduate students. The University and the San Luis Obispo region offer many opportunities for research, including potential collaborations with Cal Poly researchers, the Cal Poly Center for Health Research, local healthcare organizations, and other entities.

Cal Polys focus is on undergraduate teaching with an expectation of engaging in research and scholarly activities and service. The incumbent will be expected to contribute to department, college, and university service activities. They will also participate in service to the undergraduate and graduate programs, e.g., curriculum planning, development, and assessment, and active involvement in the MS Nutrition Graduate Group. Expectations also include service to professional organizations. The ability to be a collaborative team player and to interact well with peers, students, industries, government agencies, and the public is essential.

Grade and salary commensurate with education and experience of the individual selected. Anticipated hiring ranges:

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

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. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, Cal Poly provides equal opportunity in education and employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every student and employee has access to the resources and support they need to thrive and succeed in a university environment and in their communities. 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 other applicable state and federal anti?discrimination laws. We prohibit discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all university programs, policies, and practices.

Required Qualifications

• Earned a doctorate (PhD, DrPH, DSc, DCN, etc.) in Human Nutrition 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.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills and strong interest in undergraduate and graduate teaching.
• Demonstrate, or show potential for, an ability to secure external funding and publish research.
• Demonstrate, or show potential for, excellence in teaching, effective communication, interpersonal skills, and the ability to be a productive team player.
• Demonstrated experience and commitment to student-centered learning and teaching, as well as demonstrated ability to collaboratively work in multidisciplinary settings.
• Experience working with diverse populations and fostering a collaborative, supportive, and inclusive environment.
• Interact well with peers, students, industry partners, and the general public.
• Demonstrated proficiency in written and oral use of the English language is required.

Preferred Qualifications

• A record of excellence in teaching and research (commensurate with time since degree).
• Experience working collaboratively with industry-relevant partners toward advancing teaching and scholarship.
• A productive record of teaching scholarly activity, and student-involved research that would strengthen current department activities.

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. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may result in the withdrawal of the offer of employment.

About the Department

The Food Science and Nutrition Departments strategic vision is to prepare the food science, nutrition and dietetics professionals of tomorrow via experiential learning and leadership experience. Graduates will have the critical thinking, foundational knowledge, and technical skills to solve the challenges related to the health of the community and sustainable and safe food systems. The department has 12 full-time faculty, 3 full-time lecturers, many part-time faculty, support staff, and approximately 600 students in two majors. The department hosts a dynamic and innovative Nutrition program that encourages national as well as international perspectives on teaching and research. The Nutrition curriculum includes two concentration options: Dietetics and Nutrition and Pre?Health Sciences. The FSN department has 6 new laboratories in the Boswell Ag Tech Center, a centerpiece of Cal Polys new $125 million William and Linda Frost Center for Research and Innovation building, which will enable research and discovery to train tomorrows leaders in agriculture and food innovation (

How to Apply

Review will begin on November 27, 2025. 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:

1. A cover letter addressing how the candidate meets the required and preferred qualifications.
2. Resume/curriculum vitae.
3. Unofficial transcripts of the highest degree.
4. Goals and plans for research.
5. Universal Student Success Statement (see prompt below).
6. At least three professional references with names and email addresses when completing the online faculty application.

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.

Cal Polys ability to sponsor employment-based visas will depend on institutional priorities, budget availability, and current federal regulations. Cal Poly does not commit to providing visa sponsorship for this position, and applicants should not expect that such sponsorship will be offered.

If you have any questions, please reach out to the chair of the search committee, Dr. Samir Amin at ...@calpoly.edu.

To apply: All applicants must apply online at