Assistant Professor of Art & Design - Ceramics (27/28)

The Art and Design Department in the College of Liberal Arts at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, is seeking applications for a full-time, academic-year, tenure-track Assistant Professor of Art and Design in Ceramics to begin approximately August 12, 2027.

The successful candidate will lead the development of an interdisciplinary ceramics program that integrates traditional and contemporary ceramics practices, research-based conceptual inquiry, and relevant histories and theories of clay, craft, material culture, and contemporary art.

The successful candidate will teach courses across the ceramics curriculum, including beginning ceramics, intermediate ceramics, and advanced ceramics or topics courses, as well as 3D or 4D design as part of the Foundations/Core curriculum. Depending on departmental needs and the candidate's expertise, additional teaching may include intermediate sculpture, advanced selected topics in sculpture, critique and discourse, visual culture and society, junior studio art practice, senior studio art practice, and senior portfolio courses.

We seek an artist-educator whose creative practice engages ceramics in relation to sculpture, installation, performance, sustainable material research, or other interdisciplinary approaches. The ideal candidate will be able to teach technical processes alongside critical and theoretical approaches to ceramics and will help students connect hands-on material experimentation to contemporary art discourse, environmental inquiry, and professional practice. The successful candidate will maintain an active research-based creative practice; contribute to curriculum development in ceramics, Foundations, and Studio Art; mentor undergraduate students; and participate in departmental, college, and university service.

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.

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.

• MFA in Ceramics, Studio Art, or a closely related field, from an accredited institution or international equivalent, completed and awarded by the time of appointment.
• Demonstrated university-level teaching experience.
• Demonstrated knowledge of ceramic processes and studio practices, including hand building, wheel throwing, glaze and surface development, firing, kiln operation, and studio safety.
• Evidence of an active, research-based creative practice in ceramics or an interdisciplinary practice that substantially engages ceramic materials and ideas.
• Evidence of expertise in contemporary art discourses and practices, including the histories and theories of ceramics, craft, material culture, installation art, time-based art, and/or three-dimensional art.
• Demonstrated experience developing curriculum and teaching courses that combine technical skill, conceptual inquiry, critique, and professional practice.
• 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.
• Demonstrated proficiency in written and oral use of the English language is required.

• Two or more years of college-level teaching experience in ceramics, three-dimensional foundations, sculpture, or closely related areas.
• Experience teaching ceramics at beginning, intermediate, and advanced levels.
• Experience teaching or developing courses in sculpture, installation, performance, visual culture, or interdisciplinary three-dimensional art.
• Experience with sustainable materials research, experimental firing, or environmentally conscious ceramic studio practices.
• Experience with ceramics studio management, including kiln operation, glaze areas, ventilation, safety procedures, equipment maintenance, and student-worker supervision.
• Interest in cross-disciplinary collaborations and connections to broader art communities.
• Evidence of mentoring students toward graduate study, professional practice, exhibitions, residencies, or other career pathways

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.