Communication Studies Department
The California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, Department of Communication Studies invites applications for a full-time, academic-year, tenure-track position at the rank of Assistant Professor with a specialization in social media strategy and analytics. We especially welcome candidates whose work intersects with one or more of the following areas: crisis and risk communication, health communication, and human-machine communication (particularly Artificial Intelligence). Candidates whose research, teaching, or professional experience engages with contexts outside the U.S. are strongly encouraged to apply. We are seeking a colleague who can integrate theoretical instruction with hands-on, applied learning opportunities that prepare students for careers in social media and digital communication, using current tools, strategies, and trends employed by professionals across sectors such as marketing, media, health, and technology. The successful candidate will contribute to teaching and developing courses in social media content creation and related areas.
The successful candidate’s teaching responsibilities will include:
- Introductory communication courses, such as our major orientation course or public speaking course.
- One or more of our 200-level foundational courses, including communication theory, organizational communication, media studies, and/or small group communication.
- 300-level research methods course(s) aligned with the candidate’s methodological expertise (e.g., quantitative and/or qualitative research methods).
- Upper-division electives aligned with the candidate’s expertise. Candidates will also have the opportunity to propose new courses such as Social Media Content Creation, Digital Marketing, Brand Communication and Analytics, and/or other courses within the candidate’s area(s) of expertise.
- A 400-level Senior Seminar course and Senior Project course for graduating majors.
Non-instructional duties will include:
- Engaging in research and scholarship related to candidate’s area of expertise.
- Engaging in service and academic advising/mentorship of undergraduate students.
- Advising students’ extracurricular activities related to departmental social media and content creation.
- Opportunities to enhance and expand our department’s existing social media presence and digital outreach.
Salary
Anticipated Hiring Range: $90,276 - $98,244/year, $7,523 - $8,187/month
(Note that hiring level will be commensurate with the qualifications and experience of the candidate.)
Although Cal Poly is primarily a teaching university, our faculty are expected to balance teaching with an active program of research/professional development (including publication), student supervision and advising, and participation in service activities at the department and college/university level. The typical teaching load is 12 units per semester, with a reduction in course load in each of the first two years to help new faculty establish an active program of research and professional development.
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.
Due to CSU policies, the person hired must reside in the state of California at the position start date and for the entirety of the appointment.
Required Qualifications:
- A Ph.D. in Communication Studies or a closely related field at the time of appointment (degree completion expected no later than August 1, 2026)
- Demonstrated success in undergraduate teaching
- Completed at least one graduate-level course related to social media and/ or strategic/ applied communication.
- Record of scholarship in social media and/or strategic communication using social science methodologies (i.e., quantitative and/or qualitative methods)
- Demonstrated commitment to educational equity, academic and inclusive excellence, and student success in their scholarship/creative activities, teaching, and/or service
- Demonstrated proficiency in written and oral communication skills
Preferred Qualifications:
- Demonstrated experience related to marketing, digital analytics, content strategy, social media management, or other applied specializations related to social media strategy and analytics – including crisis communication, health communication, or human-machine communication (particularly Artificial Intelligence)
- Demonstrated success in undergraduate teaching, as an instructor of record or teaching assistant, in undergraduate social media content creation and/or analytics
- Evidence of academic preparation relevant to the instructional assignment, including communication theory, organizational communication, small group communication, social science research methodologies (quantitative and/or qualitative research methods), and applied areas such as social media strategy and analytics.
- Demonstrated experience in creating and managing social media content, and preference for candidates with relevant industry experience or professional expertise in areas such as social media strategy, analytics, or campaign execution.
- Demonstrated experience and commitment to student-centered, collaborative, and supportive learning and teaching
- Demonstrated ability to collaboratively work in multidisciplinary settings
- Willingness to participate in interdisciplinary programs for course development and possible program curriculum development
- Additional consideration will be given to those with experience working in, or applying their expertise to, contexts beyond the U.S.
Special Conditions
All CSU employees are designated "mandated reporters" under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act. As a condition of your employment, you will be required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 and any subsequent amendments.
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.
About The Department
Currently the Communication Studies Department, in the College of Liberal Arts, has 12 communication professors, and over 30 lecturers, approximately half of whom teach full-time. The department serves approximately 400 majors and 50 minors as well as students throughout the university in our many General Education course offerings. The department's website is https://coms.calpoly.edu/
How to Apply
To apply, please visit http://jobs.calpoly.edu/, complete a required online faculty application and apply to Requisition #549832. Please upload the following required materials as part of the electronic application:
- Cover letter (may wish to address the feasibility of conducting research, scholarship, and/or creative activities within the context of a primarily teaching-oriented undergraduate program)
- Current curriculum vitae
- Statement of teaching philosophy
- Evidence of teaching effectiveness including institutionally administered student evaluations
- Unofficial transcripts showing highest degree earned, official transcripts showing highest degree earned will be required prior to appointment
- Sample syllabi for social media content creation/analytics or equivalent course
- List of Cal Poly courses for which the candidate is qualified and interested in teaching
- Evidence of research, scholarship or creative activities
- Candidates are required to submit a digital portfolio highlighting their work in social media content creation and/or analytics. This may include social media campaigns, visual or multimedia content, strategy reports, or interactive projects that demonstrate their applied experience and creativity.
Please be prepared to provide three professional references with names and email addresses when completing the online faculty application. For full consideration apply by the review begin date.
REVIEW BEGIN DATE: September 15, 2025. Applications received after this date may be considered.
Projected Start Date: August 17, 2026
For questions about the position please contact Dr. David Askay (daskay@calpoly.edu), search committee chair and professor; or, Dr. Anuraj Dhillon (adhill06@calpoly.edu), interim department chair and associate professor, Communication Studies Department.