Are you passionate about shaping the future of transportation and inspiring the next generation of engineers? The Civil and Environmental Engineering Department at California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) in beautiful San Luis Obispo, California, invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track transportation engineering assistant professor position. This is an exceptional opportunity to join a nationally recognized department and contribute to our Learn by Doing philosophy, starting in Fall 2025.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo Transportation Engineering Assistant Professor Position Announcement – College of Engineering Faculty Job Opening
This transportation engineering assistant professor position is perfect for individuals dedicated to excellence in teaching and research, with a desire to mentor students and contribute to a diverse and inclusive academic community. At Cal Poly, faculty are teacher-scholars, balancing impactful research with a strong commitment to student success. We seek candidates who can demonstrate expertise in transportation engineering and a vision for sustainable transportation systems.
Your Role as a Transportation Engineering Assistant Professor
As a transportation engineering assistant professor, you will play a pivotal role in shaping our curriculum and mentoring future leaders in the field. Your responsibilities will span across teaching, research, and service, providing a well-rounded academic experience.
Teaching Responsibilities
Your primary focus will be on delivering high-quality education to both undergraduate and master’s level students. This includes:
- Developing and teaching a broad spectrum of fundamental transportation engineering courses and laboratories.
- Creating and delivering advanced upper-division and graduate courses in your specific areas of expertise within transportation engineering.
- Contributing to the ongoing development and enhancement of our Transportation Engineering curriculum to ensure it remains cutting-edge and relevant to industry needs.
- Mentoring and advising students, fostering their academic and professional growth in transportation engineering.
Research Expectations
Cal Poly encourages faculty to pursue impactful research that contributes to the body of knowledge in transportation engineering and related fields. As a transportation engineering assistant professor, you will be expected to:
- Establish and maintain an externally funded research program in your area of specialization.
- Supervise undergraduate and graduate (master’s) level research projects, providing invaluable hands-on research experience for our students.
- Collaborate with faculty members across disciplines on research initiatives, fostering a vibrant and interdisciplinary research environment.
- Present and publish research findings in peer-reviewed journals and conferences, contributing to the wider transportation engineering community.
- We particularly encourage candidates whose research aligns with the planning, design, and operation of sustainable transportation systems, reflecting Cal Poly’s commitment to environmental responsibility.
Service and Collaboration
Service to the department, university, and community is a vital aspect of this transportation engineering assistant professor position. You will be expected to:
- Actively participate in departmental service activities, including student club advising, curriculum development, and shared governance.
- Contribute to the College of Engineering and University-wide committees and initiatives.
- Engage with the broader community and professional organizations, representing Cal Poly and contributing your expertise to the field.
- Work collaboratively with faculty, staff, and students from diverse backgrounds, fostering an inclusive and supportive environment.
Compensation and Benefits
Cal Poly offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package. The anticipated hiring range for this transportation engineering assistant professor position is $106,000 to $118,000 per year, commensurate with education and experience.
Benefits include:
- Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
- Retirement plan options.
- Generous paid time off, including holidays and vacation.
- Parental leave and family-friendly policies.
- Educational fee waivers.
- Access to Cal Poly’s on-campus children’s center.
- And more, detailed at https://afd.calpoly.edu/hr/benefits/.
Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Cal Poly and the College of Engineering are deeply committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). We believe that a diverse and inclusive environment enriches the educational experience for all students and fosters innovation and creativity. We actively seek candidates who demonstrate a commitment to DEI in their teaching, research, and service.
As a transportation engineering assistant professor, you will be expected to:
- Implement inclusive and equity-minded teaching strategies.
- Contribute to curricular development that addresses the intersection of engineering and societal challenges, particularly DEI issues.
- Support the College of Engineering’s goals for increasing diversity and promoting equitable student success.
- Show evidence of or potential to contribute to DEI through teaching, scholarship, and service.
Candidates with DEI-focused scholarship and/or pedagogy will have the opportunity to apply for additional funds to support their DEI work, further emphasizing Cal Poly’s commitment to these values.
Required Qualifications
To be considered for this transportation engineering assistant professor position, candidates must possess the following qualifications:
- An earned doctorate (Ph.D.) in civil engineering with an emphasis in transportation engineering or a closely related field from an accredited institution. Candidates nearing completion of their doctorate (ABD) will be considered, but the degree must be awarded prior to or by the start of the appointment in Fall 2025.
- A strong commitment to teaching excellence and laboratory-based instruction.
- Dedication to continued professional development and scholarly activities.
- Broad-based knowledge of transportation engineering principles and practices.
- Demonstrated experience and commitment to student-centered learning and teaching methodologies.
- Ability to work collaboratively in multidisciplinary settings.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively with students, staff, and faculty from diverse ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
- Evidence of attention to and/or potential to contribute to diversity, equity, and inclusion in teaching, scholarship, and service.
Preferred Qualifications
While not required, preference will be given to candidates who demonstrate:
- Evidence of working with diverse populations and fostering a collaborative, supportive, and inclusive environment.
- Professional Engineering (P.E.) licensure.
- Industry/consulting experience in transportation engineering.
- Excellence in university-level teaching and research, commensurate with experience since degree attainment.
- Experience with laboratory-based instruction.
- Commitment to working in a multidisciplinary and collaborative setting.
How to Apply
To apply for this transportation engineering assistant professor position, please submit the following materials through our online application portal:
- A cover letter detailing your qualifications and interest in the position.
- A current curriculum vitae (CV).
- A statement of teaching philosophy.
- A statement of goals and plans for research.
- Copies of unofficial transcripts (official transcripts will be required prior to appointment).
- A diversity statement outlining your experience and/or potential to contribute to the College of Engineering’s DEI goals. In your diversity statement, please address how your teaching, research, and/or service at Cal Poly will contribute to our vision of a nationally recognized college known for its rapidly diversifying student population and inclusive Learn by Doing experiences.
Please be prepared to provide contact information for three professional references during the online application process. For full consideration, applications should be received by November 1, 2024. Applications received after this date may be considered until the position is filled.
For any questions regarding this position, please contact Dr. Anurag Pande, search committee chair, at [email protected].
About Cal Poly and the Civil & Environmental Engineering Department
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, is a premier public university known for its Learn by Doing approach to education. Our Civil & Environmental Engineering Department is consistently ranked among the top undergraduate programs in the U.S. for non-Ph.D. granting institutions.
The department boasts:
- Two ABET-accredited B.S. degree programs in Civil Engineering and Environmental Engineering, with approximately 650 and 250 undergraduate students respectively.
- A thriving M.S. degree program in Civil and Environmental Engineering with around 50 active graduate students.
- Highly active and respected student chapters of professional organizations such as ASCE, SWE, and Engineers Without Borders.
Located in beautiful San Luis Obispo, California, Cal Poly offers a desirable quality of life with access to stunning beaches, hiking trails, and a vibrant community. Joining Cal Poly means becoming part of a supportive and engaged community dedicated to student success and impactful research.
We encourage qualified candidates to apply for this exciting transportation engineering assistant professor position and contribute to shaping the future of transportation engineering at Cal Poly!
