San Francisco State University, Museum Studies Program, offers an exciting opportunity for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position in Museum Studies, beginning August 2025. We seek a Museum Studies scholar-practitioner whose teaching and research extends beyond a single area of expertise, ideally bridging several of the following specializations: critical museum studies, audience development, public programs and education, community curation, museum management, administration, and fundraising, exhibition design (digital and/or virtual exhibitions is highly desired), collection standards, and museum ethics. We also seek a colleague who will engage with the Global Museum, an on-campus museum that is operated in concert with the Museum Studies Program and its curriculum. We are interested especially in qualified candidates who are strongly committed to diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion and who demonstrate these commitments through their teaching, curricular development, and research.

Required qualifications

• Ph.D. in museum-related discipline, such as Art History, History, Anthropology, Archaeology, Ancient Studies, Ethnic Studies, or the Natural Sciences. Terminal degree must be completed by the first day of employment
• College or University-level teaching experience and professional museum experience
• Record of working and communicating effectively with colleagues and students

About the Department

The Museum Studies Program at San Francisco State develops museum professionals and pre-professionals engaged in the important role museums play in our increasingly global and diverse world. Coursework combines theoretical background in the history, functions, and social and political contexts of museums with hands-on, practical training in caring for, and engaging visitors with authentic cultural collections stewarded by the Global Museum on behalf of the University.

The Program develops museum professionals committed to the power of museums as places of inspiration, community learning, and ethical collections stewardship for all segments of society. As the only Master of Arts degree program or undergraduate Minor in Museum Studies at a public university in the state, and one of the few in the world integrated with a university museum, the Program uniquely reflects the concerns of 21st century museum professionals, who recognize that connecting to communities and engaging diverse audiences are of paramount concern to museums today.

SF State is a major public urban university, situated in one of the world’s great cities. Building on a century-long history of commitment to quality teaching and broad access to undergraduate and graduate education, the University offers comprehensive, rigorous, and integrated academic programs that require students to engage in open-minded inquiry and reflection. SF State prepares its students to become productive, ethical, active citizens with a global perspective.

San Francisco State University educates and equips students to thrive in a global society. We deliver academic excellence by pursuing knowledge, inspiring creativity, supporting our diverse community and advancing social justice and positive change in the world.

Visit the Strategic Planning website to learn more.

Responsibilities

The position requires graduate and undergraduate teaching in Museum Studies, including developing and supervising graduate capstone projects and internships; mentoring and advising graduate and undergraduate students, developing an active ongoing scholarship program in one’s area(s) of specialty, and ongoing committee and service assignments.

Compensation

The Assistant Professor (Academic Year) classification salary range is:

$99,000 to $101,000 annually (12 monthly payments per academic year).

Salary offered is commensurate with experience and qualifications. In addition, the California Equal Pay Act prohibits employers from paying its employees less than those of the opposite sex and/or another race or ethnicity for substantially similar work (https://www.dir.ca.gov/dlse/california_equal_pay_act.htm).

Professional development funds, moving expenses, start‐up funds, and a reduced teaching load may be available.

The California State University (CSU) provides generous health, retirement, and other benefits.

Application Procedure

A complete online application must be submitted to receive consideration. Application review begins December 15, 2024, and continues until the position is filled.  To apply, please upload the following materials:

1. Cover letter (relating your experience to the required qualifications, outlining research and teaching interests, and including professional museum experience)

2. Curriculum vitae

3. Diversity Statement (500 words maximum) in which you address A) your experience working with underrepresented populations and/or on issues that disproportionately affect diverse populations; and B) specific examples of how you address diversity and inclusion in your teaching, research, and service.

4. Writing sample of scholarly papers or similar work (maximum 20 pages).

5. Names and contact information of three references who will provide letters of recommendation upon request.

Please direct all questions about the position to: Lissette M. Jiménez, Associate Professor, Museum Studies Program and Director of the Global Museum, at [lmj@sfsu.edu].

ATTN Museum Studies Search Committee

San Francisco State is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against persons on the basis of race, religion, color, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, medical condition, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, covered veteran status, or any other protected status. We strongly encourage the application of individuals from historically underrepresented groups. Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified applicants with disabilities who self-disclose by contacting the Senior Human Resources Manager. Additional information on the requirements for new hires may be found at the Human Resources web page (https://hr.sfsu.edu/about-hr ).

Thank you for your interest in employment with California State University (CSU). CSU is a state entity whose business operations reside within the State of California. Because of this, CSU prohibits hiring employees to perform CSU-related work outside of California with very limited exception. While this position may be eligible for occasional telework, all work is expected to be performed in the state of California, and this position is assigned to on-campus operations.