Post-Doctoral Teaching/Research Scholar – Mechanical Engineering (AY 24/25)

The Mechanical Engineering Department at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA, invites applications for two full-time, Post-Doctoral Teaching/Research Scholar appointments as Full-Time Lecturers. This primarily teaching development program seeks to attract and prepare outstanding individuals with completed PhDs for a successful career in engineering academia by gaining teaching experience and training at a premier teaching-oriented engineering institution. Participants will primarily engage in teaching activities in fundamental or specialized mechanical engineering courses appropriate to their preparation. They will also be supported through mentorship by experienced engineering educators and through the University’s Center for Teaching, Learning, and Technology. Although the position primarily gives instructional training and experience, teaching will be reduced by 20%-25% from a full-time lecturer position to allow participants to engage in scholarly pursuits in partnership and collaboration with the Department of Mechanical Engineering. This is a full academic year appointment (September to June) starting in September 2024 with the possibility of a one-year extension contingent upon department need and satisfactory evaluations. This is a unique opportunity for Ph.D. recipients in engineering with an interdisciplinary mindset to join a unique institution that values undergraduate education and applied research activities.

This apprenticeship position will be hired at the rank of Lecturer B with an anticipated annual salary of $64,860 paid in 12 monthly installments of $5,405.

Located on the central coast of California, the Cal Poly College of Engineering is nationally recognized for its strong focus on undergraduate and Masters level education through a laboratory intensive, hands-on curriculum. With over 6000 undergraduates and 150 Master’s students, the undergraduate programs include Aerospace, Biomedical, Civil, Computer, Electrical, Environmental, General, Industrial, Manufacturing, Materials, Mechanical and Software Engineering plus Computer Science. The College of Engineering at Cal Poly is committed to building a diverse faculty of teacher-scholars who collaborate to provide an interdisciplinary and hands-on approach to student learning and applied research. We believe that individuals from diverse backgrounds strengthen our programs and positively impact student success. We encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for consideration.

At California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, we believe that cultivating an environment that embraces and promotes diversity 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 informs our efforts in recruitment, hiring, and retention. California Polytechnic State University is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Eligible candidates are individuals with a passion for teaching and who have earned their Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related field. 

PREFERED QUALIFICATIONS

Preference will be given to candidates with a demonstrated passion and interest in university-level teaching, an interest in laboratory-based instruction, and a willingness to teach in multiple areas of the Mechanical Engineering curriculum.

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 the 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.

HOW TO APPLY

Interested candidates must attach (1) a cover letter, (2) a resume/curriculum vitae, 3) a diversity statement, 4) a statement of teaching philosophy, and (5) a copy of unofficial transcripts of highest degree. If applicable, please attach a list of CSU courses taught and/or courses requesting consideration to teach. Applicants should propose courses they are interested in teaching and the research area they would like to pursue. Please be prepared to provide three professional references with names and email addresses when completing the online faculty application. Review of applications will begin April 15, 2024. Applications received after the review begin date may be considered. 

For further questions please contact: Dr. Peter Schuster (pschuste@calpoly.edu).

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