Building Technology + Design

The Architecture Department in the College of Architecture & Environmental Design (CAED) at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, seeks applications for a full-time, tenure-track Assistant Professor to begin September 11, 2025. We invite applications from candidates with expertise in the creative integration of architecture and building technologies including structure, building envelope, materials and assemblies, decarbonization, and construction methods.

Candidate’s scholarship and/or related architectural practice experience should demonstrate the integration of sustainable and resilient building technology systems. In addition, candidates should describe a record of successful teaching in building technology lectures and design studios. Special consideration will be given to applicants who address the interrelationships of social equity, climate, and the built environment in their teaching, scholarship, and/or critical practice.

Primary teaching responsibilities include required building technology lecture courses and related hands-on workshops, technology electives, and may also include undergraduate design studios. The large lecture courses are team-taught and the curriculum co-developed, which provides a rich teaching environment for sharing ideas and expertise to shape coursework and evolve Cal Poly's long tradition of building technology education.

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 diversity informs our efforts in recruitment, hiring and retention. California Polytechnic State University is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer.

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT

At Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, undergraduate architecture students take two full academic years of Building Technology, including “Architectural Technology Fundamentals” in the second year and “Architectural Systems Integration” in the third year. These courses are taught through lectures and associated activity coursework in both year levels and are taught by a collaborative team of faculty. In lecture mode, building technology topics are delivered to the entire student cohort. In activity mode, faculty work with smaller student cohorts on applied activities. 

The Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Architecture Department has a strong reputation for providing a rigorous education, focused on issues of contemporary concern. The polytechnic tradition of the five-year Bachelor of Architecture program emphasizes application, reflection, collaboration, and project-based learning, succinctly described as “learn by doing.” We encourage creative inquiry, making, and theoretical speculation, supported by extensive fabrication facilities in the Support Shop, as well as the book and materials library, the Neel Resource Center. The CAED also maintains a nine-acre outdoor experimental construction laboratory, Poly Canyon, and an indoor fabrication and construction facility, the Simpson Strong-Tie Materials Demonstration Lab. For further information about the department, college, and university, please visit our web sites: www.architecture.calpoly.edu, www.caed.calpoly.edu,and www.calpoly.edu. 

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is a teaching-centered university that is committed to the “teacher-scholar model” in which teaching and scholarship are valued as mutually beneficial practices—offering vibrant learning experiences for students through meaningful engagement in faculty scholarly activity and advancing faculty scholarship through its inclusion within their teaching. Given this emphasis, candidates should include descriptions of teaching in their written statements and portfolio. Through this search, we intend to increase curricular coverage of areas related to diversity and enhance inclusive teaching strategies within our program. Candidates should provide a narrative, and where possible evidence, of their approaches to inclusive teaching practices and addressing diversity in their teaching, research, and/or professional practice.

Required qualifications include:

• Professional degree in architecture (B.Arch, M.Arch or D.Arch)
• Master’s degree in architecture or allied discipline
• Architectural license or Ph.D. (see note below)
• Professional experience in architecture
• Relevant college-level teaching experience
• A body of work corresponding to the advertised position

Appointments may be offered to candidates eligible for licensure or nearing completion of the doctorate (ABD); however, promotion and tenure are contingent on an architecture license or Ph.D. 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Additional consideration will be given to candidates with specialization in a scholarly area that addresses diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion issues relevant to architecture and/or demonstrated significant experience in working with underrepresented students in research, teaching, service, advising, mentoring or community engagement. 

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.

HOW TO APPLY

To be considered for a position, interested candidates must complete the entirety of the online application and upload the following materials:

1. Cover letter describing your interest in the position, qualifications, and relevant experience including a statement of teaching and scholarship outlining past achievements and future directions.
2. Statement on diversity, equity, and inclusion describing past accomplishments and sharing ideas for future contributions related to your areas of teaching, research, and/or service.
3. Curriculum vitae.
4. Digital portfolio of teaching and professional work (50 pages maximum, 30Mb file size limit). Cal Poly values teaching excellence, and this portfolio is a critical application component. Sections documenting teaching should include syllabi and text describing collaborative teaching experiences and student work demonstrating the candidate’s pedagogical approaches.
5. Three professional references with names and email addresses when completing the online application. Three letters of recommendation will be required of finalists and solicited directly by Cal Poly.
6. Unofficial transcripts confirming degrees. Official transcripts will be required prior to appointment. 

Review of applications will begin January 6, 2025, and will continue until the positions are filled; however, applications received prior to this date are guaranteed review.

Salary commensurate with education and experience of the individual selected. (Anticipated hiring range: $97,000 - $103,000 per year).

For questions, please contact Department Head, Mark Cabrinha at mcabrinh@calpoly.edu.