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Associate Professor Jobs in Goleta, CA (NOW HIRING)

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Associate Professor information

See Goleta, CA salary details

$46.9K

$110.5K

$153.8K

How much do associate professor jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 2, 2026, the average yearly pay for associate professor in Goleta, CA is $110,519.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $85,200.00 and $135,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an associate professor?

An associate professor teaches at a college or university campus and ranks below a full professor. As an associate professor, you still perform the primary job duties of a full professor, such as interacting with students, grading classroom assignments, assisting students with study techniques, and developing lesson plans. You may also spend part of your career working on research projects and writing articles for academic journals.

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

To thrive as an Associate Professor, you need advanced subject matter expertise, a doctoral degree in your field, and a record of research and scholarly publication. Familiarity with learning management systems (LMS), academic databases, and research software is typically required. Strong communication, mentorship, and organizational skills help foster student engagement and productive collegial relationships. These competencies are essential for effective teaching, impactful research, and meaningful contributions to academic communities.

What are some common challenges faced by associate professors when balancing research, teaching, and service responsibilities?

Associate Professors often juggle multiple responsibilities, including conducting research, teaching courses, mentoring students, and participating in departmental or university service. Balancing these can be challenging, especially when research expectations remain high while teaching loads and committee work increase after promotion. Successful Associate Professors typically develop strong time-management skills, collaborate with colleagues to share best practices, and seek mentorship or support from their academic community. Proactive planning and clear communication with department leadership can also help manage these competing demands.

What is the difference between Associate Professor vs Assistant Professor?

AspectAssociate ProfessorAssistant Professor
Required CredentialsDoctorate (Ph.D. or equivalent), significant research and teaching experienceDoctorate (Ph.D. or equivalent), typically early in academic career
Work EnvironmentUniversity faculty, involved in teaching, research, and serviceUniversity faculty, primarily focused on teaching and beginning research
Employer & Industry UsageHigher education institutions, research universitiesHigher education institutions, research universities

In summary, an Associate Professor is a more senior academic role with extensive research and teaching experience, while an Assistant Professor is an entry-level faculty position focused on developing research and teaching skills.

Do you need a PhD to be an associate professor?

Typically, an associate professor position requires a doctoral degree, such as a PhD, along with significant research, teaching experience, and a strong publication record. While requirements can vary by institution and field, having a PhD is generally essential for this academic rank.
More about Associate Professor jobs

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 Associate Professor jobs in Goleta, CA?

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

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

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

Associate Professor jobs near you
Infographic showing various Associate Professor job openings in Goleta, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 65% Full Time, 31% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $110,519 per year, or $53.1 per hour.

Associate or Full Professor Faculty Position - AI and the Workplace - Technology Management

University of California Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, CA • On-site

Other

Posted 15 days ago

University Of California Santa Barbara rating

7.9

Company rating: 7.9 out of 10

Based on 7 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

213th of 628 rated colleges and universities

Job description

Position description
University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), Robert Mehrabian College of Engineering's Department of Technology Management invites applications for an associate or full professor position in the area of AI and the Workplace. The position has a start date of July 1, 2027, or later.
We are particularly interested in candidates with research experience in creating and teaching courses focused on the role AI is playing in changing the nature of work. This can include changes to individuals or groups, formal or informal aspects of organizational structure, or strategic action. Successful applicants will contribute to the exciting intellectual environment within the Department of Technology Management and contribute meaningfully to its initiatives and programmatic activities. The selected candidate is expected to play a key role in helping to develop novel research programs and courses in the area of AI and the workplace.
The Department of Technology Management resides in UCSB's highly ranked Mehrabian College of Engineering, where it offers a successful professional master's degree, a Ph.D. program, and undergraduate and graduate certificates. Core faculty in the Department of Technology Management include: Matthew Beane, Christine Beckman, Sukhun Kang, Paul Leonardi, Nelson Phillips, Renee Rottner, Jessica Santana, Mary Tripsas, and Ting Xiao; all of whose research and teaching reflect the unit's intentional interdisciplinary character.
Department: https://tmp.ucsb.edu/
Qualifications
Basic qualifications (required at time of application)
  • Applicants must have a PhD in Management or a related field at the time of application.

Additional qualifications (required at time of start)
  • Applicants must have a program of research in the area of AI and the Workplace.
  • Applicants must have a record of research, teaching, and professional activities in the area of technology management commensurate with an appointment at the rank of tenured associate or tenured full professor at UCSB.

Application Requirements
Document requirements
  • Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
  • Cover Letter
  • Statement of Research
  • Statement of Teaching
  • Research Sample or Publication (Optional)
  • Teaching Evaluations (Optional)
  • Evidence of Teaching Effectiveness (Optional)

Reference requirements
  • 3-5 required (contact information only)

For the Associate or Full Professor position: Three (3) contacts are required, an additional two (2) are optional contacts, for a total of five (5). Candidates who are considered finalists will have letters of recommendation solicited from their references through UC Recruit after their onsite interviews.
Apply link: https://recruit.ap.ucsb.edu/JPF03140
Help contact: laurenkerr@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, California

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