JOE Listings (Job Openings for Economists)
August 1, 2025 - January 31, 2026
California Polytechnic State University
Position Title/Short Description
Full Text of JOE Listing:
The Economics Area of the Orfalea College of Business at Cal Poly invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track, academic year position at the Assistant Professor level. We are particularly interested in applicants with a research and teaching focus in Applied Microeconomics/Macroeconomics and Econometrics. Successful candidates will teach both undergraduate and graduate (Master’s) level classes in econometrics and other field courses of interest, maintain an active research agenda, provide service to the university, and contribute to our community, with appointment beginning August 17, 2026.
Rank and salary commensurate with education and experience of the individual selected, with the anticipated hiring range being $127,500 to $140,900.
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
A Ph.D in Economics or a related field. Demonstrated experience and commitment to student-centered learning and teaching, as well as the ability to collaboratively work in multidisciplinary settings, are required. Demonstrated proficiency in written and oral use of the English language is required.
Preferred Qualifications
Preference will be given to those with relevant work experience and those who bring professional capabilities.
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 outlined 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. It is also expected that faculty establish an on-campus presence to fulfill their responsibilities. 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 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.
How to Apply
Interested candidates must submit the following documents:
1. Cover Letter that describes teaching and research interests
2. Current curriculum vitae
3. Universal Student Success Statement - 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 any 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. Please articulate your teaching philosophy, approach, and goals within this statement.
4. Research Plan
5. Unofficial transcript from the institution awarding the highest degree
Applicants should be prepared to provide the names and email addresses of three professional references when completing the online faculty application. Official, sealed transcripts will be required before appointment.
Cal Poly’s ability to sponsor employment-based visas will depend on institutional priorities, budget availability, and current federal regulations. Cal Poly SLO does not commit to providing visa sponsorship for this position, and applicants should not expect that such sponsorship will be offered.
Review of applications will begin December 5, 2025. Complete applications received after that date may be considered. For questions, please contact: Dr. Jason Lepore, jlepore@ calpoly.edu .
Application Requirements:
External Application LinkFreqently Asked Questions
San Luis Obispo offers a moderately competitive market for assistant professor positions in economics, especially within renowned institutions like Cal Poly. Candidates with strong research in applied microeconomics and econometrics tend to stand out, given the region’s emphasis on both teaching and active research agendas.
Assistant professors linked to the American Economic Association are expected to balance rigorous research with student-centered teaching methods. Emphasis is often placed on developing courses in econometrics and applied economics, fostering inclusivity and accessibility in diverse academic environments.
A Ph.D. in economics or related fields is essential, coupled with demonstrated expertise in econometrics and applied economics. Proficiency in student engagement, multidisciplinary collaboration, and strong communication skills in English are highly valued for these academic roles.
Compared to metropolitan areas, San Luis Obispo's academic roles often emphasize tighter community engagement and interdisciplinary collaboration within smaller, focused departments. Faculty may experience a more personalized campus culture while contributing to a balanced teaching and research portfolio.
The American Economic Association encourages assistant professors to prioritize applied microeconomics, macroeconomics, and econometrics research, supporting a blend of scholarly publication and practical economic analysis that advances both academic fields and policy discussions.
Salaries for assistant professors at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo typically range from approximately $127,500 to $140,900 annually, reflecting academic rank, experience, and specialized expertise in areas like econometrics and applied economics.
Faculty might navigate balancing comprehensive teaching duties with maintaining a dynamic research agenda. Limited funding in some applied economics niches may require creative grant seeking and cross-disciplinary partnerships to sustain impactful scholarly output.
Positions tied to the American Economic Association often demand a strong alignment with economic research communities and active participation in scholarly networks. This connection enhances opportunities for collaboration, conferences, and publishing, distinguishing these roles from more general academia.
Cal Poly requires tenure-line faculty to maintain a consistent on-campus presence, reflecting California’s state employment regulations. This ensures active engagement in campus life, direct student interaction, and fulfillment of teaching and service responsibilities.
One misconception is that assistant professors primarily teach; in reality, they balance teaching, research, and service equally. Another is assuming guaranteed visa sponsorship; however, Cal Poly’s support depends on budget and federal regulations, so candidates should plan accordingly.
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