Assistant Professor of Communication Studies Technology & Communication (2627)

San Luis, CO - USA

Yearly Salary: $ 90276 - 98244

Posted on: Yesterday

Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

Communication Studies Department

The Department of Communication Studies at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor specializing in critical and/or rhetorical approaches to technology and communication to begin August 17 2026. We seek a scholar whose research and teaching examine how communication technology and design intersect with social ethical political and cultural concerns. Secondary interests or teaching strengths in science and/or environmental communication are also desirable to support high-demand areas in our curriculum.

This position is part of an innovation and entrepreneurship university cluster hire. Successful candidates are expected to actively engage in transdisciplinary initiatives related to innovation and/or entrepreneurship and direct collaboration with the Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship (CIE) to further develop vibrant academic and co-curricular programs.

We especially welcome candidates whose work engages areas such as digital humanities algorithmic culture bias and ethics in communication technologies digital rhetoric and culture AI and automation and the social environmental and health-related impacts of communication technologies.

Areas of specialization(AOS)may include (but are not limited to)criticaland/ orrhetoricalApproaches to:

Technology communication and cultures of innovation and tech industries

HumanAI interaction meaning-making and agency

Ethics bias and justice in digital and algorithmic systems

Communication design UX/UI and interface and information design

Environmental sustainability health and medicine dimensions of technology and communication

Scienceand/orenvironmentalcommunication through technology platforms

The successful candidates teaching responsibilities will include:

Media Criticism or Rhetorical Criticism which are situated as upper-levelmethodscourses.

Upper-division electivesaligned with the candidatesexpertisein areas such as technology and human communication critical cultural studies rhetoric of science technology and medicine science communication and/or environmental may also have the opportunity to propose new courses aligned with the departments curriculum and their areas of expertise.

200-level courses including rhetorical studies communication theory or applied argumentation.

A 400-level Senior SeminarandSenior Projectcourse for graduating majors.

Introductory communication courses such as our orientation(e.g. COMS 100)or public speakingrelated courses.

Non-instructional duties will include:

Engaging in research andscholarship related tocandidatesareaof expertise.

Engaging in service and academic advising/mentorship of undergraduate students.

Advising students extracurricular activities including but not limited to student clubs.

Salary

Anticipated Hiring Range:$90276- $98244/year $7523- $8187/month
(Note that hiring level will becommensuratewith the qualifications and experience of the candidate.)

Although Cal Poly is primarily a teaching university our faculty are expected to balance teaching with an active program of research/professional development (including publication) student supervision and advising and participation in service activities at the department and college/university level. The typical teaching load is 12 unitsper semester with a reduction in course load in each of the first two years to help new facultyestablishan active program of research and professional development.

Subject to further planning and approval Cal Polyanticipatesapossible transitionto semester-based year-round operations (YRO). Under YRO full-time academic year faculty maybe assigned to teach in two consecutive semesters (Fall/Spring Spring/Summer or Summer/Fall)out of the three semesters offered annually. Thetwo-semester sequence willconstitutethe regular academic year appointment. Faculty may also be eligible to teach in the third semester foradditionalcompensation subject to departmental needs and University policy.

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 (ADA) Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act the California Equity in Higher Education Act Californias Proposition 209 (Art. I Section 31 of the California Constitution) other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws and CSUs Nondiscrimination Policy. 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.

Cal Poly is a diverse community of individuals who represent many perspectives beliefs and identities committed to fostering an inclusive respectful and intellectually vibrant environment. We cultivate a culture of open dialogue mutual respect and belonging to support educational excellence and student success. Through academic programs student organizations and activities faculty initiatives and community partnerships we encourage meaningful engagement with diverse perspectives. As a higher education institution we are dedicated to advancing knowledge and empowering individuals to reach their full potential by prioritizing inclusive curriculum development faculty and staff training student mentorship and comprehensive support programs. At Cal Poly excellence is built on merit talent diversity accessibility and equal opportunity for all.

Due to CSU policies the person hired must reside in the state of California at the position start date and for the entirety of the appointment.

Required Qualifications:

A Ph.D. in Communication Studies or a closely related field required. If ABD Ph.D. must be conferred before August 1 2026.
Demonstrated university teaching experience.
Graduate-level coursework relevant to the instructional assignmentisrequiredas the minimum academic preparation.
Recordof scholarshipintechnology and communicationusingcritical and/or rhetorical approaches.
Evidence of potential for scholarly and/or creative achievement in AOS.
Demonstrated commitment to educational equity academic and inclusive excellence and student success in their scholarship/creative activities teaching and/or service.
Demonstratedproficiencyin written and oral use of the English language isrequired.

Preferred Qualifications:

Demonstratedundergraduateteaching experiencein critical and/or rhetoricalapproaches related to technology and communicationasan instructor of record or teaching assistant.
Potential for grant development in areas related to the AOS.
Willingness toparticipatein interdisciplinary programs overlapping with AOS including course development andpossible programcurriculum development.
Willingness to develop courses in AOSin various modalities.
Demonstrated experience and commitment to student-centered learning and teaching.
Demonstrated ability to collaboratively work in multidisciplinary settings.
Demonstrated experience working with diverse populations and fostering a collaborative supportive and inclusive environment.
Preference will also be given to those with relevant work experience and those who bring professional capabilities.

Special Conditions

All CSU employees aredesignatedmandated reporters under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting a condition of your employment you will be required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 and any subsequent amendments.

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. Note: 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 beingsought.

Please note: Current employees who are offered positions on campus willbe requiredto undergo a background check for any position where a background check is required by law or that Cal Poly hasdesignatedas sensitive. Sensitive positions are thoserequiringheightened scrutiny of individuals holding the position based on potential for harm to children concerns for the safety and security of people animals or property or heightened risk offinancial lossto Cal Poly or individuals in the university community.

For health and well-being Cal Poly is a smoke & tobacco-free campus. The university is committed to promoting a healthy environment for all members of our community.

In accordance withthe California State University (CSU) Out-of-State Employment Policy the CSU is a state entity whose business operationsresidewithin the State of California and prohibits hiring employees to perform CSU related work outside of California.

About The Department

Currently the Communication Studies Department in the College of Liberal Arts has 12 communication professors and over 35lecturersapproximately halfof whom teach department serves approximately 400 majors and 50 minors as well as students throughout the university in our many General Education course departments website is to Apply

To apply please visit complete a required online faculty application and apply to Requisition #552675. Please upload the following required materials as part of the electronic application:

Cover letter providing some details of the applicants qualifications and interest in the position(may wish to address the feasibility of conducting research scholarship and/or creative activities within the context of a primarily teaching-oriented undergraduate program).
Current Curriculum Vitae
Copy of unofficial transcripts (sealed official transcripts and letters of recommendation will berequiredfor final consideration)
Universal Student Success Statement:Cal Poly is a publicstudent-centered university that serves the diverse constituents of the state of California and has a strong emphasis on the teacher-scholar 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 thisexpertiseat Cal Poly. Service or scholarship related to skills developed in these areas might also be included here.
- This statement is intended to go beyond a traditional teaching philosophy. It shoulddemonstratehow you intentionally advance equity inclusion and access across your teaching research and servicefor all students. Strong statements willprovidespecific examples of strategies practices or outcomes that have enhanced student success for all learners and outline how you plan to continue this work as part of Cal Polys commitment to universal student success.
Statement of research interests/ research plan
Sample syllabi fora methods course (e.g. rhetorical or media criticism)or an elective in critical and/or rhetorical approaches to technology and communication.
List of Cal Poly courses for which the candidate is qualified and interested in teaching

Please be prepared to provide three professional references with names and email addresses when completing the online faculty full consideration pleasesubmityour application by the application deadline. Applications received after this date are notguaranteedreview.

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.

Projected Start Date:August 17 2026

Application Deadline:January 20 2026.For full consideration applicants are encouraged tosubmitall application materials by this date. Applications received after the deadline are notguaranteedreview.

For questions about the positionplease contact Lambertz-Berndt()search committee chair andassociateprofessor; or Dr. Anuraj Dhillon () department chair and associate professor Communication Studies Department.

Required Experience:

Junior IC

Communication Studies DepartmentThe Department of Communication Studies at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor specializing in critical and/or rhetorical approaches to technology and communication to begin August 17 2026...