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Tenure Track Faculty Position
Assistant Professor of Cellular Neuroscience
Biological Sciences Department
College of Science
$89,168 - $93,168

California State Polytechnic University, Pomona invites applications for a tenure track faculty position in the Biological Sciences Department. Cal Poly Pomona is one of three polytechnic universities in the 22-campus California State University system and among 12 such institutions nationwide. Since its founding in 1938, Cal Poly Pomona students participate in an integrative experiential learning education that is inclusive, relevant, and values diverse perspectives and experiences. With a variety of degree programs in the arts, humanities, sciences, engineering, and professional disciplines, the university is well known for its learn- by-doing approach and Teacher Scholar Model.

The university is noted for its scenic and historic 1,400-acre campus, which was once the winter ranch of cereal magnate W.K. Kellogg. We acknowledge that Cal Poly Pomona resides on the territorial and homelands of the Tongva and Tataavium people who are the traditional land caretakers of Tovaangar. The university's nearly 30,000 students are taught and mentored by the campus's more than 1,400 faculty as part of 54 baccalaureate and 29 master's degree programs, 11 credential and certificate programs, and a doctorate in educational leadership.

Highly regarded among its peer institutions, Cal Poly Pomona is No. 2 in the U.S. News and World Report rankings of top public regional universities in the west and was named the No. 28 best value college in the nation by Money Magazine. Cal Poly Pomona, a Hispanic-Serving Institution and an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution, stands as a national leader in promoting social mobility, and was placed among the 25 top institutions in the country in awarding bachelor's degrees to minoritized students by Diverse Issues in Higher Education. In 2022, the campus launched the Black Thriving Initiative recognizing that Cal Poly Pomona's future as a university is linked to the success of its Black community. More information about our Principles of Community can be found here. 

The Cal Poly Pomona campus is located less than 30 miles east of downtown Los Angeles at the intersection of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties. It is within an hour's drive of beaches, mountains and deserts. For additional information about the university, please visit www.cpp.edu, and for more about faculty life, please see YourLife@CPP.

Student Population. Cal Poly Pomona is the number one polytechnic university in the nation for student diversity and economic mobility. Our caring and inclusive campus community is committed to helping anyone who dreams of success achieve it. In Fall 2024, Cal Poly Pomona served more than 25,000 students and close to 2,000 graduate students, mostly residents of California. Over half of Cal Poly Pomona students are first-generation college students, 70% receive financial aid, and 42% are low-income students. The university enrolls 57% of historically underrepresented students. Our diverse student body identifies as 54% Hispanic/Latinx, 21% Asian, 13% White, 4% two or more races, 3% unknown, 2% African American/Black, 2% International, less than 1% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, and less than 1% Native American. Forty-five percent of students enroll in our STEM majors and our top five enrolled programs across the university include mechanical engineering, computer science, civil engineering, psychology, as well as finance, real estate, and law.  

College of Science. The College's mission is to educate, mentor, and inspire students through scientific inquiry and hands-on learning. It offers 15 undergraduate degree programs and six Master's degrees across seven academic departments that include: Biological Sciences, Chemistry & Biochemistry, Computer Science, Geological Sciences, Kinesiology & Health Promotion, Mathematics & Statistics, and Physics & Astronomy. Our Center for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching (CEMaST) supports K-16 education locally and nationally to increase STEM success and participation for all. The College of Science has approximately 150 full-time faculty, 40 staff, and 4,400 active majors. Our commitment to the teacher-scholar model results in our college being the largest recipient of extramural grant funding on campus. We encourage a broad range of applicants who are committed to enhancing a culturally diverse community of faculty, staff, and students dedicated to an inclusive campus environment.

Biological Sciences Department. The Department offers a master's program and a bachelor's program to over 1,100 students in Biology, Biotechnology, and Environmental Biology. Our faculty have diverse expertise and are involved in a wide variety of both basic and applied research. We compete successfully for funding from numerous external agencies such as the NIH, NSF, and USDA to run student-centered laboratories, and engage in myriad progressive pedagogical techniques to offer robust "learn-by-doing" experiences for our students. Our location in southern California positions our faculty as ideal collaborators with plentiful researchers at nearby institutions. A collaborative culture based on teamwork and cooperative activities is well established in the department. The Biological Sciences Department and Cal Poly Pomona are committed to being the model for an inclusive polytechnic experience that inspires creativity and innovation, embraces local and global challenges, and drives social mobility. For more information, see the Department website: http://www.cpp.edu/~biology/

Position description: The Biological Sciences Department at Cal Poly Pomona invites applications for one tenure-track position at the rank of Assistant Professor in Cellular Neuroscience to begin in August 2027.

We seek candidates who are committed to excellence in both teaching and research, and who will establish an active, externally funded research program that engages undergraduate and master's students. The area of specialization within cellular neuroscience is open. We particularly welcome applicants who investigate neural function across multiple levels of analysis, including but not limited to electrophysiology, imaging, genetic and viral tools, optogenetics/chemogenetics, computational approaches, and systems-level analyses of neural circuits, sensory systems, and behavior.

The successful candidate will develop a research program at a primarily bachelor's and master's granting institution and have strong potential for external funding (e.g., NIH, NSF, or private foundations). Candidates are expected to incorporate student training into substantive and meaningful research experiences.

Teaching and Service Expectations: Teaching responsibilities may include lower division undergraduate courses (such as Foundations of Biology) and upper division and/or graduate courses within the candidate's area of specialty. The department values evidence-based, inclusive teaching practices and a commitment to an experiential education consistent with our polytechnic mission.

The successful candidate will be expected to:

• Contribute to curriculum development in neuroscience and related areas
• Advise undergraduate and graduate research students
• Participate in department, college, and university service
• Engage in ongoing professional and scholarly activities
• Display a commitment to student success and inclusion

Minimum requirements include:

• Ph.D. in Neuroscience, Biology, or a related field from an accredited institution. (Degree must be conferred by the start date of the position.)
• At least one year of postdoctoral research experience as a postdoctoral researcher, faculty member at another institution, or in industry.
• Demonstrated potential to establish an active research program involving undergraduate and/or master's students.

Preferred/Desired Qualifications:

• • Evidence of, or potential for, securing research funding.
  • Experience mentoring undergraduate and/or graduate students in research.
  • Prior teaching experience at the college or university level.
  • Use of innovative and inclusive teaching practices that promote student engagement and success.

Application Process: A completed application will consist of a:

• • Cover letter that describes the candidate's background and interest in teaching, research, and service. The cover letter should address how the candidate meets the duties and minimum and preferred qualifications stated in the position description.
  • Curriculum vitae.
  • Teaching Philosophy statement (2-page maximum) that addresses Cal Poly Pomona's commitment to excellence in education (see above). It should include any examples of the candidate's support of student success while teaching.
  • Research Statement (2-page maximum) that includes a proposed plan of research and examples of the candidate's support of student success in the course of conducting research.
  • Reprints of up to 3 publications.

Semi-finalists for the position will be required to provide three letters of reference (PDF format by email preferred). A job offer is contingent on receiving an official transcript showing the highest degree earned.

Please direct inquiries to neuroscience@cpp.edu.

Applications accepted only via PageUp-online application portal-for University hires. The position is open until filled. First consideration will be given to completed applications received no later than September 15, 2026.

Salary Range: $89,168 - $93,168

Disclosures

Education Code 89521 Requirements:

Pursuant to Education Code 89521 applicants will be required to disclose whether they have received a final administrative decision or final judicial decision determining that they have committed sexual harassment within the last 7 years only after a determination is made that they meet the minimum qualifications for the position, and before an offer of employment is extended. Applicants who reach the final stages of the application process must also sign a release form that authorizes the release of information by the applicant's current and/or former employers to the CSU concerning any substantiated allegations of misconduct.

Background Check: 

A background check (including a criminal records check) must be satisfactorily completed.  Offers of employment are conditional and may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information.  Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current CSU employee who was conditionally offered the position.

Out of State Employment:

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.  It is also expected that faculty establish an on-campus presence to fulfill their responsibilities.

Mandated Reporter: 

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.

International Candidates:

Cal Poly Pomona is not currently sponsoring faculty for H-1B work status if they are subject to the $100,000 fee established under the Presidential Proclamation: Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers issued on September 19, 2025. For faculty already in the United States who hold a valid nonimmigrant visa (such as F-1, J-1, or O-1), Cal Poly Pomona is able to consider filing a petition to change their status to H-1B based on the current determination that the fee does not apply. For questions, please contact the Office of Faculty Affairs at avpfa@cpp.edu. We strongly recommend that faculty review their individual circumstances carefully with their personal immigration legal counsel.

Clery Act:
In compliance with state and federal crime awareness and campus security legislation, including the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act, California Education Code section 67380, and the Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA), Cal Poly Pomona's Annual Security Report and Annual Fire Safety Report are available for viewing at Cal Poly Pomona's Annual Security Report and Cal Poly Pomona's Annual Fire Safety Report.

EEO Statement: 

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 Pomona 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 Pomona 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 discriminato...