SOCIAL SCIENCE DEPARTMENT

Social Sciences - Full-time Lecturer in the Social Sciences Department, College of Liberal Arts, Cal Poly State University, San Luis Obispo, California to begin August 17, 2026. Recruitment is for one position, with a one-year appointment for the 2026-27 Academic Year, with the potential to renew for a second year. Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience. An M.A. in sociology or a closely related field and a successful teaching record are required. ABD or PhD in sociology is preferred.

Primary duties and responsibilities include teaching sociological research methods (including qualitative and quantitative methods) and introduction to sociology, social problems, race, and/or classical social theory classes. The teaching load is 15 weighted teaching units (WTUs) per semester, for a total of 30 WTUs across the 2026-27 academic year; each course is worth between 3 and 5 WTUs, so the instructor is likely to offer four or five courses per term. Whenever possible, the instructor will be welcome to teach two or more sections of the same course in each term to reduce course preparation.

Initial rank and salary for lecturer faculty are based on professional experience and educational background and are determined by the hiring department. Most new lecturers are hired at the Lecturer A or B rank. As of July 2024, the classification salary ranges for the respective ranks are:

Lecturer A: $5,507-$6,677
Lecturer B: $6,221-$13,224
Lecturer C: $6,825-$14,523
Lecturer D: $8,593-$15,221

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• An M.A. in Sociology or a closely related field and a successful teaching record are required.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• A PhD or ABD in Sociology by the appointment date is preferred.

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, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws, and CSU’s 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.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

All CSU employees are designated "mandated reporters" under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act. As 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 being sought.

Please note: Current employees who are offered positions on campus will be required to undergo a background check for any position where a background check is required by law or that Cal Poly has designated as sensitive. Sensitive positions are those requiring heightened 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 of financial loss to 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 with the California State University (CSU) Out-of-State Employment Policy, the CSU is a state entity whose business operations reside within the State of California and prohibits hiring employees to perform CSU related work outside of California.

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT

The Social Sciences Department offers a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and a Bachelor of Sciences degree in Anthropology/Geography with 17 full-time faculty and diverse undergraduate majors (~400 students) and minors.

HOW TO APPLY

To apply, please visit http://jobs.calpoly.edu/, complete a required online faculty application and apply to Requisition #554581. Please upload the following required materials as part of the electronic application:

• Cover Letter 
• Current curriculum vitae
• Statement of teaching philosophy and evidence teaching effectiveness
• Unofficial transcripts showing highest degree earned, official transcripts showing highest degree earned will be required prior to appointment

Please be prepared to provide three professional references with names and email addresses when completing the online faculty application. For full consideration apply by the review begin by date. Applications received after this date may be considered. 

Cal Poly’s 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: 08-17-2026

Review Begin Date: 04-09-2026

For questions about the position please contact the search committee chair, Dr. Sara Lopus, by email at slopus@calpoly.edu.