Assistant Professor in Metaphysics, cal Poly

The Philosophy Department in the College of Liberal Arts at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, California, (Cal Poly) seeks applications for a full-time, academic-year, tenure-track Assistant Professor to begin September 10, 2020. Area of Specialization (AOS): Contemporary Analytic Metaphysics. Area of Competence (AOC): Philosophy of Mind.

The ideal candidate will have a combination of university-level teaching experience, and research potential. We are seeking applicants with an earned or nearly complete doctorate in philosophy, with demonstrable qualifications in contemporary analytic metaphysics.

Primary teaching duties include upper-division metaphysics for philosophy majors and lower-division general education courses in philosophy. Depending on Philosophy Department teaching needs, the successful candidate might also teach a course in philosophy of mind.

Cal Poly is primarily a teaching university committed to the teacher-scholar model. As teachers, faculty are expected to exhibit strong pedagogical skills and to remain proficient and current in their disciplines. As scholars, faculty should be engaged in scholarly and creative work that is of high quality as evidenced by external peer review. As colleagues, faculty are asked to perform service activities at all levels of the University. Faculty should build collaborative relationships across the University and with colleagues at other universities.

The teaching load averages 12 units per quarter of four-unit courses, with a significant reduction in course load in the first two years to help establish an active program of research and professional development. Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience. Initial appointment is for two years, subject to renewal. California Polytechnic State University is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer.

At Cal Poly, we believe that cultivating an environment that embraces and promotes diversity and inclusion is fundamental to the success of our students, our employees, and our community. Bringing people together from different backgrounds, experiences, and value systems fosters the innovative and creative thinking that exemplifies Cal Poly's values of free inquiry, cultural and intellectual diversity, mutual respect, civic engagement, and social and environmental responsibility.

Cal Poly's commitment to diversity and inclusion informs our efforts in recruitment, hiring, and retention. The successful candidate must have the ability to work effectively with students, staff, and faculty from diverse ethnic, cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. This search will occur while the university conducts other searches designed to increase curricular coverage of areas related to diversity and inclusion, as well as to promote inclusive teaching strategies across the university. The successful candidate for our recruitment whose research overlaps with areas of diversity and inclusion will have the opportunity to join and support these university efforts.

How to Apply:

Interested applicants should complete the online faculty application at and submit it to Requisition # 493579. Please upload the following required materials as part of the electronic application (linked here).

1. Cover letter: address the feasibility of conducting a research program within the context of a primarily teaching-oriented undergraduate program
2. Current curriculum vitae
3. Transcript copy
4. Statement of Diversity and Inclusion: describe past experience and contributions to diversity and inclusion efforts, and describe how you will demonstrate a commitment in these areas in teaching, research, and/or service at Cal Poly
5. Teaching portfolio: provide evidence of teaching effectiveness including student evaluations and course syllabi in the AOS and AOC
6. Example of scholarship or creative work

Applicants must also be prepared to provide in the online application the names and email addresses for a minimum of three professional references. Cal Poly will directly solicit letters from the individuals listed by applicants. A transcript copy may be attached to the application or sent to the address listed for Requisition # 493579. Official sealed transcripts will be required prior to appointment. Review Begin Date: 11-01-2019

Required Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in philosophy, earned or nearing completion.
• Evidence of potential for scholarly and/or creative achievement in the AOS.
• Ability to teach courses in the AOS and AOC.
• Demonstrated effectiveness in college or university-level teaching.

Department Information:

Currently the philosophy department has thirteen philosophy professors, two religious studies professors, and nine lecturers most of whom teach nearly fulltime. The department serves approximately 140 philosophy majors and 50 philosophy minors as well as students throughout the university in General Education offerings. Here is the department's website.

College and University Information:

With approximately 21,800 students, Cal Poly is a comprehensive polytechnic university strongly committed to its Learn by Doing philosophy. Cal Poly's College of Liberal Arts offers 18 highly selective Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science programs and 5 Master's degree programs with 250 full-time faculty and nearly 3,000 undergraduate majors. Our distinguished faculty members are actively engaged in teaching, scholarship, and service. Located 10 miles from the Pacific Ocean and halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles, Cal Poly is among the most selective universities nationwide; student quality is high, with applications significantly exceeding admissions.

A full job listing can be found here.