The BioResource and Agricultural Engineering (BRAE) Department in the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA, is seeking a full-time, academic year, tenure‐track Assistant/Associate Professor of Sustainable Food Systems and Data Management, starting approximately August 12, 2027. Rank and salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.
The BRAE department is a true Learn by Doing department with two existing programs (BRAE and Ag Systems Management), and Sustainable Food Systems, a new program, with a specialization in data management and analysis, systems analytics, and life cycle analysis (LCA). The successful candidate will be a systems thinker that will contribute to interdisciplinary teaching, research, and service activities focused on advancing sustainable, resilient, and equitable food systems through data-driven approaches.
This position will teach courses across the Sustainable Food Systems major, with primary responsibility for courses covering systems thinking, life cycle assessment (LCA), data literacy, and sustainability analysis. The curriculum progresses from foundational skills in data management and food systems orientation through professional-grade LCA modeling and capstone-level industry engagement. Teaching may span lower- and upper-division courses and will include coordination with elective offerings in data science.
This position is also expected to support the institution’s Learn By Doing teaching mission, applied undergraduate research, and stakeholder engagement while building collaborations across agriculture, environmental science, engineering, nutrition, economics, and policy disciplines. Duties may also include, but are not limited to, supervision of undergraduate senior projects, and clubs.
Rank and salary commensurate with education and experience of the individual selected. Anticipated hiring ranges:
Assistant Professor: $90,948 - $105,156
Associate Professor: $105,492 - $114,720
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.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
An earned doctorate (Ph.D.) in Agricultural Engineering, Biosystems Engineering, Systems Engineering, Data Sciences, or a closely related field. Candidates nearing completion of the doctorate (ABD) may be considered but must provide proof that the doctorate was awarded prior to the start of the appointment.
Candidates must demonstrate expertise in sustainability assessments or life cycle assessment methodology applied to food or agricultural systems, competency in quantitative data analysis relevant to food and agricultural systems and a commitment to undergraduate teaching and learn-by-doing pedagogy
Candidates must also demonstrate, or show potential for, excellence in teaching, effective communication, interpersonal skills, and ability to be a team player. Demonstrated proficiency in written and oral use of the English language is required.
Candidates must also demonstrate, or show potential for, an ability to secure external funding and publish research. The ability to interact well with peers, students, industry partners, and the general public is essential. Demonstrated experience and commitment to student-centered learning and teaching, as well as demonstrated ability to collaboratively work in multidisciplinary settings are required. Strong interests in undergraduate and graduate teaching are required. A demonstrated commitment to fostering inclusive, equitable, and supportive learning environments, is required.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Preference will be given to individuals with experience working with modeling tools and LCA software (e.g. OpenLCA) and associated databases (ecoinvent, agri-footprint, etc.). Experience with statistical or scripting environments (Python, R) is desired. Industry or applied research experience in food supply chains, agricultural processing, or agri-food sustainability a plus.
Preference will be given to candidates with applied and innovative research backgrounds, and with research into areas with clear application to California Agriculture. Industry experience, university level teaching experience teaching the three interconnected pillars of sustainability and data science classes, a record of successful academic research, and the demonstrated ability to generate external funding will all be given preference.
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 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. At Cal Poly, tenure-line faculty are expected to establish an on-campus presence.
Subject to further planning and approval, Cal Poly anticipates a possible transition to semester-based year-round operations (YRO). Under YRO, full-time academic year faculty may be assigned to teach in two consecutive semesters (Fall/Spring, Spring/Summer, or Summer/Fall) out of the three semesters offered annually. The two-semester sequence will constitute the regular academic year appointment. Faculty may also be eligible to teach in the third semester for additional compensation, subject to departmental needs and University policy.
ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT
The BioResource and Agricultural Engineering Department currently houses two majors, BioResource and Agricultural Engineering (BRAE) and Agricultural System Management (ASM). Both of these programs are accredited by ABET. The Department is in the last phase of approval of a Sustainable Food Systems program. This position is the first hire for this new program. The Department is dedicated to advancing the study, teaching, and practice of engineering, sustainability, and data systems management support for agriculture. From day one, students are immersed in the Learn by Doing, laboratory intensive classes designed to hone their problem-solving skills and provide them with the necessary tools and opportunities to build what they design. From the skills they learn they are ready Day One to enter the work force.
HOW TO APPLY
Review will begin on September 16, 2026. Applicants are encouraged to submit materials by that date for full consideration; however, applications received after this date may be considered. Interested candidates must attach (1) cover letter, (2) resume/curriculum vitae, (3) unofficial transcripts of the highest degree, (4) goals and plans for research, (5) Universal Student Success Statement (prompt below), and (6) at least three professional references with names and email addresses when completing the online faculty application.
- Universal Student Success Statement Prompt- Cal Poly is a public, student-centered university that serves the diverse constituents of the state of California and has a strong emphasis on the teacher-scholar model. Please detail your approach to teaching and learning at the collegiate level, including evidence of experience with inclusive, accessible, and intentional teaching, to a wide variety of students and a description of how you will continue to develop this expertise at Cal Poly. Service or scholarship related to skills developed in these areas might also be included here.
Finalists for the position will be required to provide 3 letters of recommendation. The selected candidate will be required to provide sealed official transcripts prior to appointment for final consideration.
Cal Poly’s ability to sponsor employment-based visas will depend on institutional priorities, budget availability, and current federal regulations. Cal Poly does not commit to providing visa sponsorship for this position, and applicants should not expect that such sponsorship will be offered.
Inquiries can be directed to Peter Livingston, BRAE Department Head, [email protected].
