Tenure Track Position - Public Health

California State University, Chico; San Luis Obispo (CA); On-site; USD 97,788 - 107,628; Full time

Job summary

Opt For Healthy Living is seeking a full-time tenure-track faculty member in Public Health at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. This role involves teaching core courses and engaging students in research. The successful candidate will contribute to expanding the department's academic programs.

The ideal candidate must hold a doctoral degree in a relevant field and demonstrate potential for excellence in teaching and research. The anticipated appointment starts on August 12, 2027.

Qualifications

• Doctoral degree in relevant field.
• Commitment to undergraduate teaching.
• Experience with student engagement in research.

Responsibilities

• Teach upper-division courses in Public Health.
• Engage undergraduates in meaningful research.
• Promote student well-being and advancement.

Skills

Undergraduate teaching

Research engagement

Commitment to diversity

Education

Doctoral degree in Public Health or related field

Job description

Apply now Job no: 559219
Work type: Instructional Faculty – Tenured/Tenure-Track
Location: Cal Poly - San Luis Obispo Campus
Categories: Unit 3 - CFA - California Faculty Association, Tenured/Tenure-Track, Full Time, Faculty - Health Sciences, On-site (work in-person at business location)

Job Summary

The Kinesiology and Public Health Department in the Bailey College of Science and Mathematics at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, is seeking to fill one full-time, academic year, tenure‑track position in Public Health, with appointment beginning August 12, 2027.

The Department of Kinesiology and Public Health invites applications for a tenure‑track position as part of an initiative to expand its teaching and research program in healthcare policy and management within its Bachelor of Science in Public Health program. The Department seeks candidates from a broad range of public health backgrounds who demonstrate a strong commitment to undergraduate teaching and an active research agenda that actively involves public health undergraduate students as integral members of their research program. The successful candidate will primarily teach upper‑division core courses in the program, including at least two of the following: Public Health Policy and Advocacy, Healthcare Systems, Comparative Health Systems, and Health Promotion for Special Populations. Applicants from all areas of public health are encouraged to apply, particularly those whose research addresses broad challenges in population health. Areas of research interest include, but are not limited to, health policy, healthcare systems and management, health economics, healthcare administration, or closely related fields.

Appointment at the Assistant Professor rank is anticipated; higher ranks will be considered. Rank and salary are commensurate with qualifications and experience of the individual selected.
If appointed at the Assistant Professor rank, the anticipated hiring range is $97,788 - $107,628.
If appointed at the Associate Professor rank, the anticipated hiring range is $112,500 - $118,524.

Required Qualifications

• Doctoral degree in Public Health, Health Policy, Health Services Research, Health Administration or Management, Health Economics, Public Policy or Administration, or a closely related field.
• Commitment to and experience in (or potential for) high quality undergraduate teaching.
• Experience in (or potential for) high quality research that meaningfully engages undergraduate students.
• Evidence of (or potential for) scholarly productivity.
• Evidence of (or potential for) promoting the well‑being and advancement of students, colleagues, and the department.
• Ability to work with diverse populations fostering a respectful, collaborative, supportive, and inclusive environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with undergraduate students and fostering a collaborative, supportive, and inclusive environment.
• Experience and commitment to excellence in teaching public health at the university level.
• Research or creative scholarly activities in an area that is compatible with or broadens the department’s research activities.
• Track record of external funding for research and creative scholarly activities.
• Experience supervising undergraduate student research.

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. 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. It is also expected that faculty establish an on‑campus presence to fulfill their responsibilities. At Cal Poly, 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). Under YRO, full‑time academic year faculty may be assigned to teach in two consecutive semesters (Fall/Spring, Spring/Summer, or Summer/Fall) out of the three semesters offered annually. The two‑semester sequence will constitute the regular academic year appointment. Faculty may also be eligible to teach in the third semester for additional compensation, subject to departmental needs and University policy.

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.

How to Apply

Interested candidates must submit the following documents:

• 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 any 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. Please articulate your teaching philosophy, approach, and goals within this statement.
• Research Plan - The research plan provides an opportunity to outline your proposed research agenda and demonstrate your expertise and potential as a researcher in the field of health policy and management at Cal Poly.
• Unofficial graduate transcript(s) as one document.

These documents are not accepted in hard copy format. When completing the online faculty application, please be prepared to provide three professional references with names and email addresses. Official transcripts are required prior to appointment.

Review of applications will begin August 31, 2026. Complete applications received after that date may be considered. For questions, please contact Dr. Marilyn Tseng, Search Committee Chair [e-mail] or Dr. Todd Hagobian, Department Chair of Kinesiology and Public Health [e-mail] .

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.

Applications close: