Tenure Track Position - Psychosocial Aspects of Sport and Physical Activity

Job Summary

The Kinesiology and Public Health Department in the Bailey College of Science and Mathematics at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, is seeking to fill one full-time, academic year, tenure track position in the Psychosocial Aspects of Sport and Physical Activity in the Kinesiology program, with appointment beginning August 17, 2027.

In an initiative to expand its teaching and research program within the Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology Degree Program, the department invites applications from a broad spectrum of qualified individuals with a commitment to undergraduate teaching and research in sport psychology and sport sociology. The selected individual will be expected to demonstrate expertise in and teach at least three of the following upper-division core and/or GE courses in the Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology program, including Sport and Performance Psychology; Applied Sport and Performance Psychology; Sport and Gender; Sports, Media, and United States Popular Culture; Sport and Physical Activity Throughout Civilizations; Psychological Aspects of Injury in Sport and Physical Activity; and Leadership in Health and Physical Activity Programs. We invite applications from candidates with research expertise in Sport Psychology, Sport Sociology, or related areas. Areas of specialization may include, but are not limited to, athlete mental health and well-being; performance enhancement; coaching and leadership; youth sport development; social inequalities in sport; sport and social justice; sport and media; community-based sport; physical activity promotion, and other emerging areas relevant to the psychosocial aspects of sport.

Appointment at the Assistant Professor rank is anticipated; higher ranks will be considered. Rank and salary are commensurate with qualifications and experience of the individual selected.

• If appointed at the Assistant Professor rank, the anticipated hiring range is $97,788 - $107,628.
• If appointed at the Associate Professor rank, the anticipated hiring range is $112,500 - $118,524.

Bailey College is committed to maintaining the excellence of the University and to offering our students a rich variety of expertise, perspectives, and ways of knowing and learning. The successful candidate will be mindful to promote student success. Successful candidates should consider the University’s goals in their approach to teaching, research, and service.

Cal Poly embraces a teacher-scholar model in which faculty are expected to be excellent teachers, produce scholarship in their field of interest, and provide service to the institution. The selected candidate will consider using creative teaching approaches that enhance student learning and participate in scholarly practices such as peer-reviewed research, conference presentations, and grant development that leads to publication. The selected candidate will pursue a systematic program of research and scholarship, curricular improvement, and participate in service activities including committee service, student advising, and building industry relationships.

Required Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with undergraduate students and fostering a collaborative, supportive, and inclusive environment.
• Experience and commitment to excellence in teaching kinesiology at the university level.
• University teaching experience using face-to-face delivery.
• Expertise in research or creative scholarly activities in an area that is compatible with or broadens the department’s research activities.
• Track record of external funding support for research and/or creative scholarly activities.
• Experience mentoring and supervising undergraduate student research.

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.

About the Department

The Department of Kinesiology and Public Health is a major academic unit within the Bailey College of Science and Mathematics offering a BS in Kinesiology and a BS in Public Health. There are approximately 700 undergraduate students, 16 full time faculty, 3 full time lecturers, 30 part time lecturers, and 5 support staff. The mission of the Department of Kinesiology and Public Health (KPH) is to promote physical activity and health for all through excellence in teaching, research and service. The Center for Health Research (CHR) is a University Research Center housed within the Department of Kinesiology and Public Health that includes several ongoing multi-million-dollar NIH-funded research grants. Projects include several long-term prospective human research studies involving hundreds of community participants, dozens of local community contracts and partners, and several national and international partners. External research grants currently fund approximately 10 staff positions including researchers, faculty investigators, research staff, a community liaison, database managers, phlebotomists, a technician, student research fellows, medical consultants and a translator. More information about the Department of Kinesiology and Public Health is available at https://kinesiology.calpoly.edu/. More information about the Center for Health Research is available at https://healthresearch.calpoly.edu.

 About the University

Founded in 1901, Cal Poly is one of only five comprehensive polytechnic universities in the nation, with approximately 22,000 undergraduates, 120 postbaccalaureate, and 900 graduate students. U.S. News and World Report has ranked Cal Poly #1 among public master's universities in the western United States for 28 consecutive years. A primarily undergraduate university, Cal Poly offers academically focused students 66 baccalaureate degrees and 27 master's degrees. Operating on the semester calendar system as of August 2026, Cal Poly takes pride in its "Learn-by-Doing" approach to teaching and learning, which has characterized Cal Poly since its founding. One of the 22 campuses of the California State University system, Cal Poly has a statewide mandate as a polytechnic university. Cal Poly is one of the largest land-holding universities in the nation and uses all of its land holdings in active support of its educational programs. Cal Poly is located in historic San Luis Obispo, a city of 47,000, 12 miles from the Pacific Ocean and midway between San Francisco and Los Angeles on California's scenic Central Coast. With excellent public education resources, recreational facilities and an expanding dedication to the arts, the area is known for its scenic landscapes and extraordinarily temperate climate.

 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.

How to Apply

Interested candidates must submit the following documents:

1. Cover Letter
2. Curriculum Vitae (CV)
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 - The research plan provides an opportunity to outline your proposed research agenda and demonstrate your expertise and potential as a researcher in the field of psychosocial aspects of sport, physical activity and kinesiology at Cal Poly.
5. Unofficial graduate transcript(s) as one document.  

These documents are not accepted in hard copy format. When completing the online faculty application, please be prepared to provide three professional references with names and email addresses. Official transcripts are required prior to appointment.

Review of applications will begin August 31, 2026. Complete applications received after that date may be considered. For questions, please contact Dr. Stefanee Maurice, Search Committee Chair at somauric@calpoly.edu.