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Assistant Professor Jobs in Goleta, CA (NOW HIRING)

Assistant Professor information

See Goleta, CA salary details

$45.9K

$86.4K

$145.7K

How much do assistant professor jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 3, 2026, the average yearly pay for assistant professor in Goleta, CA is $86,378.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $64,700.00 and $98,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an assistant professor do?

An assistant professor is an entry-level university teaching position below that of associate professor and full professor. You can find work as an assistant professor in any department at a college or university. Assistant professorships fall into either tenure-track and non-tenure track positions. Regardless of whether you are tenure or non-tenure track, your duties are similar. You conduct research, teach classes, advise students on their studies, and perform numerous administrative functions, such as attending faculty meetings and professional conferences or events.

What is an assistant professor?

An Assistant Professor is an entry-level faculty position at a college or university, typically responsible for teaching, conducting research, and participating in academic service. This role is usually tenure-track, meaning the professor may eventually qualify for tenure after a probationary period. Assistant Professors often mentor students, publish scholarly work, and contribute to their department's academic community. Their work helps advance both the institution's educational mission and their own academic careers.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an assistant professor, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Assistant Professor, you typically need a doctoral degree in your field, a strong publication record, and experience in teaching or research. Familiarity with learning management systems (LMS), academic databases, and research tools is often required, along with any relevant certifications for teaching or research ethics. Excellent communication, mentorship, and organizational skills help you engage students, collaborate with colleagues, and manage academic responsibilities. These skills are crucial for fostering student success, advancing research, and contributing meaningfully to the academic community.

What are some common challenges assistant professors face during their early years, and how can they address them?

Assistant Professors often juggle multiple responsibilities, including teaching, research, and service commitments. Balancing the demands of developing a strong research portfolio with effective teaching and departmental service can be challenging, especially when working toward tenure. Building a supportive network of mentors, setting clear priorities, and managing time efficiently are critical strategies for success. Many institutions also offer professional development programs and peer collaboration opportunities to help early-career faculty navigate these challenges.

What is the difference between Assistant Professor vs Lecturer?

AspectAssistant ProfessorLecturer
Required CredentialsDoctorate or equivalent in fieldBachelor's or Master's, sometimes doctorate
Work EnvironmentAcademic institutions, research, teachingPrimarily teaching, less research
Employer & Industry UsageUniversities, collegesUniversities, colleges, vocational schools
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

Assistant Professors typically hold a doctorate and engage in both teaching and research at universities. Lecturers usually focus on teaching, often with less emphasis on research, and may have different credential requirements. While both roles are found in academic settings, Assistant Professors often have more responsibilities related to research and academic advancement.

What do you do as an assistant professor?

An assistant professor conducts research, teaches courses, and advises students within their academic discipline. They typically engage in scholarly activities, publish findings, and participate in departmental service, often working toward tenure. The role requires strong communication skills and expertise in their field, with a schedule that includes lectures, research, and administrative duties.

What are the most commonly searched types of Professor jobs in Goleta, CA?

The most popular types of Professor jobs in Goleta, CA are:

What are popular job titles related to Assistant Professor jobs in Goleta, CA?

For Assistant Professor jobs in Goleta, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What cities near Goleta, CA are hiring for Assistant Professor jobs?

Cities near Goleta, CA with the most Assistant Professor job openings:

Infographic showing various Assistant Professor job openings in Goleta, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 69% Full Time, 26% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $86,378 per year, or $41.5 per hour.

Assistant Professor of Bioengineering 2025-26

University of California Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, CA • On-site

Other

Re-posted 23 days ago


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Job description

Position description
The University of California, Santa Barbara (UC Santa Barbara) seeks to appoint a new faculty member at the rank of Assistant Professor in the Department of Bioengineering. The candidate will join a highly successful public research university committed to the principles of research and teaching excellence, interdisciplinary education, and collaborative science. This is an exciting and pivotal time in the Department of Bioengineering, which is the newest department in the highly ranked College of Engineering, with a forward-looking vision of Innovating for Life. The College counts among its faculty 4 Nobel laureates, 17 members of the National Academy of Engineering, 5 members of the National Academy of Science, and 16 Fellows of the National Academy of Inventors.
Engineering for and from biology provides new solutions to improve human, environmental, and global health. The questions of who designs these solutions, who we engineer for, and how these solutions impact society are important to our faculty. UC Santa Barbara understands that this is too important to the future of our society to be left to a single discipline or limited population -- and the Department of Bioengineering and our faculty are ready to address these questions head-on in authentic partnership with thought leaders across our campus and the world.
We especially encourage candidates who will benefit from interaction with several established and growing initiatives on campus, including our strength in shared use facilities. UC Santa Barbara Engineering is home to the NSF Biofoundry for Extreme and Exceptional Fungi, Archaea, and Bacteria (ExFAB), the BioPACIFIC NSF Materials Innovation Platform for BioPolymers, the CIRM funded Stem Cell Institute, NSF Quantum Foundry, and the Materials Research Laboratory supported by 7 consecutive NSF Materials Research Science & Engineering Center Awards. New to our campus is a $32 million investment from DoD and NSF to establish two major biofoundry facilities for automated life science experimentation and prototyping, and an $8 million investment from NIH and the Beckman Foundation to support a cryo-electron microscopy core facility - both initiatives led by Bioengineering faculty. Our department seeks to also build upon existing strengths with the Army's Institute for Collaborative Biotechnology (ICB), the California NanoSystems Institute (CNSI), the Center for Engineering and Science Partnerships (CSEP), the Neuroscience Research Institute (NRI), the Center for Stem Cell Biology and Engineering, the Institute for Energy Efficiency (IEE), the NSF Materials Research Laboratory (MRL) and beyond.
The Department of Bioengineering comprises 9 core faculty, 6 who are jointly appointed across departments. Multiple faculty have received recognition as Fellows of major professional organizations including the American Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering, of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and the Biomedical Engineering Society. Our faculty includes multiple winners of major awards such as the NSF CAREER Award, the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers, ACS Young Investigator Awards, DOE Early Career Award, DARPA Young Faculty Award, the Breast Cancer Alliance Young Investigator Award, Scialog Fellow, NIH R35 MIRA, DoD Discovery Award, a Beckman Foundation Award, and others. Bioengineering also houses an NSF NRT in Data Driven Biology and an NIH T32 in Quantitative Mechanobiology which support pre-doctoral research training and professional development in these themes.
Bioengineering at UC Santa Barbara understands that bioengineering and biotechnology intersect society in many complex ways but that by striving striving to be a place where every student, faculty, and staff can grow and thrive we will position ourselves to best be able to take on these challenges together.
Qualifications
Basic qualifications (required at time of application)
Applicants should have completed all requirements for a PhD (or equivalent) in Bioengineering or a related field, except the dissertation (or equivalent) at the time of application.
Additional qualifications (required at time of start)
PhD degree must be conferred by the time of appointment.
Preferred qualifications
Applicants who show outstanding research potential and have a strong commitment to teaching.
The ideal candidate will be a talented emerging leader and scholar with a keen understanding of current issues, challenges, and opportunities in higher education and research, and demonstrate proficiency in cross disciplinary collaboration, leveraging expertise across various departments within the College and exemplifying the collaborative spirit for which UC Santa Barbara is known. The ideal candidate will be self-motivated and eager to work with our community to address issues of societal importance through surprising and creative applications of Bioengineering and one who sees the unique opportunity the Department presents.
Application Requirements
Document requirements
  • Cover Letter
  • Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
  • Statement of Research
  • Statement of Teaching

Reference requirements
  • 3-5 letters of reference required

Applicants are required to provide the names and contact information for a minimum of 3 references and may submit up to 2 additional optional references. Applicants must request letters of reference within the system in order to complete application requirements.
Apply link: https://recruit.ap.ucsb.edu/JPF03025
Help contact: rachelirving@ucsb.edu
About UC Santa Barbara
As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct.
  • "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment or discrimination as defined by the employer.
  • UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
  • UC Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, students and third parties
  • APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment

Additionally, you will be required to comply with the University of California Policy on Vaccination Programs , as may be amended or revised from time to time. Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.
The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.
Job location
Santa Barbara, CA

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