Assistant/Associate Professor, Experience Design

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo; San Luis Obispo (CA); On-site; USD 90,948 - 114,720; Full time

Job summary

California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track Assistant/Associate Professor of Experience Design in the Experience Industry Management Department within the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences. The position begins around August 12, 2027 and includes teaching undergraduate courses and supervising senior projects.

The successful candidate will contribute to research in experience design, design thinking, data

Qualifications

• Earned doctorate (Ph.D.) in experience design, tourism, event management, hospitality, sport management, recreation, marketing, psychology, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated excellence in teaching, effective communication, interpersonal skills, and ability to be a team player.
• Demonstrated potential for securing external funding and publishing research.
• Demonstrated experience and commitment to student-centered learning and teaching, and ability to collaboratively work in multidisciplinary settings.
• Demonstrated commitment to fostering inclusive, equitable, and supportive learning environments.

Responsibilities

• Teach undergraduate courses in the Experience Industry Management Department, including Experience Design: Theories and Applications and related offerings.
• Supervise undergraduate senior projects and internships, advise students, and teach online or in certificate programs.
• Engage in scholarly activities (research, grant writing, publications, presentations) in areas related to experience design, data analytics, or AI.
• Lead projects, seek external funding, and contribute to the Experience Innovations Lab.
• Serve on department, college, and university committees and participate in professional organizations.

Skills

Teaching excellence

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Team player

English proficiency

External funding potential

Student-centered learning

Multidisciplinary collaboration

Diversity & inclusion commitment

Education

Ph.D. in experience design or related field

Job description

The Experience Industry Management 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/Associate Professor of Experience Design, starting approximately August 12, 2027. Rank and salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.

The successful candidate will contribute broadly to the experience industry, with a primary scholarly and teaching emphasis on experience design. The position offers an exciting opportunity to shape how students learn to design, deliver, and evaluate meaningful experiences across tourism, events, hospitality, sport, recreation, and emerging experience‑based sectors. The successful candidate will teach undergraduate courses in the Experience Industry Management Department, including courses such as Experience Design: Theories and Applications, Introduction to the Experience Industry, Sustainability in the Experience Industry, Evaluation and Assessment Methods in the Experience Industries, Interpreting Experience Industry Data Analytics, Strategic Event Planning, Strategic Event Implementation, and Senior Project.

Duties may also include, but are not limited to, supervision of undergraduate senior projects and internships, student advising, teaching online, and teaching in certificate programs. The successful candidate is expected to participate in scholarly activities (research, grant writing, publications, and presentations) in an area of expertise directly related to experience design, design thinking, customer/guest experience, data analytics, and/or artificial intelligence as part of their professional development and as an integral contributor to the Experience Innovations Lab. The candidate will lead projects, pursue external funding, and advance the lab’s mission. The successful candidate is also expected to provide service on committees for the department, college, and university and participate in related instructional activities. Expectations also include service to local, state, national, international, and related professional organizations.

Rank 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 (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s 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 doctorate (Ph.D.) in experience design, tourism, event management, hospitality, sport management, recreation, marketing, psychology, 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.
• Demonstrated excellence in teaching, effective communication, interpersonal skills, and ability to be a team player. Demonstrated proficiency in written and oral use of the English language is required.
• Demonstrated potential for securing external funding and publishing research. Ability to interact well with peers, students, industry partners, and the general public is essential.
• Demonstrated experience and commitment to student‑centered learning and teaching, and ability to collaboratively work in multidisciplinary settings.
• Demonstrated commitment to fostering inclusive, equitable, and supportive learning environments.

Preferred Qualifications

• Applied and innovative research backgrounds in experience design and the broader experience industry, including areas such as design thinking, customer/guest experience, and data analytics and/or artificial intelligence in the experience industry.
• Industry experience in experience design or related experience‑industry sectors, university‑level teaching experience, a record of successful academic research, and the ability to generate external funding.
• Experience with course development, collaboration on research with faculty across the College, University, and industry, and international experience or desire to cultivate international links.

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. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may result in the withdrawal of the offer of employment.
• Current employees 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.
• 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. Tenure‑line faculty are expected to establish an on‑campus presence.
• Subject to further planning and approval, Cal Poly anticipates a possible transition to semester‑based year‑round operations (YRO). Faculty may also be eligible to teach in the third semester for additional compensation, subject to departmental needs and University policy.

About The Department

The Experience Industry Management (EIM) Department in the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences offers a B.S. in Experience and Event Management and a minor in Event Planning and Experience Management. The department is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Parks, Recreation, Tourism and Related Professions and offers areas of study in Event Planning and Management, Tourism, Hospitality and Destination Management, and Sport and Recreation Management. The department’s vision is to cultivate leaders and innovators in industries that promote healthy lifestyles, protect memorable places, and facilitate life‑enhancing experiences for individuals, communities, and the global society.

How To Apply

Review will begin on October 1, 2026. 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) cover letter, (2) resume/curriculum vitae, (3) unofficial transcripts of the highest degree, (4) goals and plans for research, (5) Universal Student Success Statement (prompt below), and (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 three letters of recommendation. The selected candidate will be required to provide sealed official transcripts prior to appointment for final consideration. 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.

Inquiries can be directed to Dr. Kevin Lin, Search Committee Chair, Experience Industry Management Department, (805) 756‑5091, [e-mail].