Assistant Professor of Music - Musicology/Music History (AY 26/27)

New River Community College; San Luis Obispo (CA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A community college in California is seeking an Assistant Professor of Music specializing in Musicology/Music History. Responsibilities include teaching undergraduate courses, supervising student projects, and contributing to curricular innovation. Ideal candidates will hold a Ph.D. in Musicology by August 2026 and demonstrate excellence in teaching and research. The role begins August 17, 2026, with applications reviewed starting December 6, 2025.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Musicology must be completed by August 17, 2026.
• Evidence of high-quality research and more scholarly potential needed.
• Demonstrated excellence in undergraduate teaching is required.
• Ability to teach a full range of core music history and music elective courses.

Responsibilities

• Teach undergraduate courses in Western art music.
• Sustain and develop the department's music history sequence.
• Supervise student research and senior projects.

Skills

Excellence in undergraduate teaching

Scholarly potential

Proficiency in English

Ability to teach core music history

Education

Ph.D. in Musicology or equivalent

Job description

Assistant Professor of Music - Musicology/Music History (AY 26/27)

Job No: 552676

Work Type: Instructional Faculty – Tenured/Tenure-Track

Location: Central California: San Luis Obispo

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

Music Department Overview

The Music Department in the College of Liberal Arts at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly) is seeking a full-time, academic-year, tenure-track Assistant Professor to begin August 17, 2026.

Responsibilities

Teach undergraduate courses in Western art music and electives that reflect research specializations. Sustain and develop the department's music history sequence required for our NASM-accredited degree. Supervise student research and senior projects. Contribute to preparations for year-round operations if needed and support curricular innovation aligned with Cal Poly's Teacher-Scholar Model.

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Musicology (or equivalent field) completed and conferred by the start of appointment (August 17, 2026).
• Published evidence of high-quality research and further scholarly potential.
• Demonstrated excellence in undergraduate teaching.
• Ability to teach the full range of core music history and music elective courses appropriate to the area of research specialization.
• Demonstrated proficiency in written and oral use of the English language.

Preferred Qualifications

• Pedagogical expertise that enhances student communication skills.
• Experience mentoring undergraduate research or senior projects.
• Pedagogy that aligns with Cal Poly's Learn by Doing philosophy.
• Ability to contribute to other areas within the Music curriculum.
• Experience with public musicology.
• Demonstrated ability to collaboratively work in multidisciplinary settings.
• Demonstrated experience working with diverse populations and fostering a collaborative, supportive, and inclusive environment.
• Demonstrated experience and commitment to student-centered learning and teaching.

Special Conditions

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

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. 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.

How to Apply

To apply, please visit http://jobs.calpoly.edu/, complete a required online faculty application and apply to Position Requisition #552676. Please upload the following required materials as part of the electronic application:

• Cover letter providing details of the applicant's qualifications and interest in the position.
• Current Curriculum Vitae.
• Copy of unofficial transcripts (sealed official transcripts and letters of recommendation will be required for final consideration).
• Universal Student Success Statement: 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.
• Statement of research interests/ research plan.

Please be prepared to provide three professional references with names and email addresses when completing the online faculty application. Applicants are encouraged to submit materials by the review begin date for full consideration; however, applications received after this date may be considered.

Projected Start Date

August 17, 2026

Review Begin Date

December 6, 2025

Applicants with complete files by the Review Begin Date will be given full consideration. Applications received after this date may be considered.

Contact

For questions about the position please contact Alicia Doyle via email at [e-mail].