Assistant Professor - Kant or German Idealism (EXPIRED)

The Philosophy Department in the College of Liberal Arts at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, California, is seeking applications for a full-time, academic-year, tenure-track Assistant Professor to begin September 11, 2025. Area of Specialization (AOS): Kant or German Idealism. Area of Concentration (AOC): History of Philosophy before Kant. Special additional teaching needs: Early Modern Philosophy, Ancient Greek Philosophy, or Medieval Philosophy.  

The ideal candidate will have a combination of university-level teaching experience and research potential. We are seeking applicants with an earned or nearly completePh.D. in philosophy, with demonstrable qualifications in Kant or German Idealism (Ph.D. must be complete by the date of appointment).Primary teaching duties include a course on Kant and 19th Century Philosophy for philosophy majors as well as general education. Depending on department teaching needs and the candidates teaching interests, the successful candidate would also teach other courses in the history of philosophy, such as Early Modern Philosophy, Ancient Greek Philosophy, or Medieval Philosophy. The successful candidate will be able to include traditionally marginalized voices in their teaching of the history of philosophy. 

Salary:  Anticipated Hiring Range: $81,888 - $87,550/year, $6,824-$7,296/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 (three courses) per quarter, 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. Cal Poly strongly values diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), especially in the classroom and among its areas of study. 

The College of Liberal Arts (CLA) sees diversity as central to its mission and is committed to fostering an equitable and inclusive environment within the college and university. We value our diversity of complex and intersecting identities, while striving to maintain an environment that is socially just, equitable, respectful, and inclusive. The successful applicant should be able to clearly demonstrate how they have infused these values and student learning objectives into their work. They should be prepared to present clear examples of how they would infuse these areas into their work as a faculty member.  

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 DEI informs our efforts in recruitment, hiring, and retention. California Polytechnic State University is an equal-opportunity employer. 

Due to CSU policies, the person hired must reside in the state of California at the time of hire and for the entirety of the appointment.   

Required Qualifications 

• Ph.D. in philosophy, earned or nearing completion at time of application, and completed by appointment date. 

• Evidence of potential for scholarly and/or creative achievement in the AOS. 

• Ability to teach courses in the AOS and AOC. 

• Ability to include traditionally marginalized voices in their teaching of the history of philosophy. 

• Demonstrated university teaching experience. 

• Demonstrated proficiency in written and oral use of the English language. 

Preferred Qualifications 

• Demonstrated experience and commitment to student-centered learning and teaching. 

• Demonstrated ability to collaboratively work in multidisciplinary settings. 

• Demonstrated experience working with diverse populations and fostering a collaborative, supportive, and inclusive environment.  

• Preference will also be given to those with relevant work experience and those who bring professional capabilities. 

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 Philosophy Department, in the College of Liberal Arts, has 15 professors, including two religious studies professors, and 15lecturers most of whom teach nearly full-time. The department serves approximately 130 philosophy majors and 50 philosophy minors as well as students throughout the university in General Education. The department's website is https://philosophy.calpoly.edu/ 

How to Apply 

Candidates with complete files by the review begin date will be given full consideration. To apply, please visit http://jobs.calpoly.edu/ complete a required online faculty application and apply to Requisition #540492. Please upload the following required materials as part of the electronic application: 

• Current curriculum vitae. 

• Cover Letter: Describe your research specialization(s) and your ability to teach a course on Kant and 19th century philosophy as well as another area in the history of philosophy prior to Kant. Emphasize any experience or abilities in including traditionally-marginalized voices in the history of philosophy in your teaching.  

• Diversity Statement: Statement of demonstrated commitment to DEI in teaching, scholarship, and/or service describing past experience, contributions to DEI efforts, the impact on students, faculty, staff and/or your field, and a description of how you will demonstrate a commitment in these areas in teaching, research, and/or service at Cal Poly. 

• Unofficial transcripts showing highest degree earned; official transcripts showing earned Ph.D. will be required prior to appointment. 

• Teaching portfolio: Provide sample course syllabi related to the AOS and AOC, and evidence of teaching effectiveness including student evaluations. 

• Example of scholarship. 

Please be prepared to provide three professional references with names and email addresses when completing the online faculty application.   

Projected Start Date: September 11, 2025 

Review Begin Date: November 8, 2024. Applicants with complete files by the Review Begin Date will be given full consideration. Applications received after this date may be considered.   

For questions about the position please contact Eleanor Helms via email [email protected]