Assistant Professor - Digital Health and Wearable Devices

The Biomedical Engineering Department in the College of Engineering at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, California, invites applications for a full-time academic year tenure-track faculty position at the Assistant Professor rank in the areas of digital health and wearable devices. The position is available starting Fall 2023. 

The department seeks candidates with an interdisciplinary mindset who work well in a highly collaborative environment. The successful candidate must have a PhD in Bioengineering / Biomedical Engineering or a related discipline such as Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Materials Science/Engineering, or Computer Science/Engineering. Applicants with research interests consistent with the department’s vision and mission (https://bmed.calpoly.edu/about/) are welcome to apply, with particular emphasis on candidates with industry-relevant experience in digital health and/or wearable devices and teaching capability in areas including biomedical engineering design. Cal Poly’s Biomedical Engineering program aims to provide breadth and depth in foundational engineering concepts, as well as physiology and other biological sciences. Outstanding faculty candidates will possess excellent communication skills with demonstrated ability as an effective educator in the application of engineering to the medical and life sciences at the undergraduate and Master’s degree levels.  Our top candidates will also develop a technically rigorous applied research program and involve undergraduate and graduate students in their research. 

Successful candidates will be expected to teach foundational biomedical engineering courses in classroom and laboratory settings, including biomedical design and device manufacturing; promote a hands-on learning environment; and foster student innovation and creativity. Responsibilities include teaching existing coursework and developing new technical courses within the candidate's area of expertise.  The selected candidate will lead and mentor students in applied research in areas pertinent to biomedical engineering, along with service to the department, college, and university.  The selected candidate will integrate teaching and applied research functions in a multidisciplinary environment at the undergraduate and the graduate level. 

The Cal Poly College of Engineering strongly values diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), especially in the classroom, and among its areas of study. This position is part of a college-wide cluster of searches designed to promote inclusive and equity-minded teaching strategies as well as increase curricular coverage of the intersection of engineering and computing with societal challenges, particularly around DEI issues. Successful candidates will be expected to contribute to the college’s goals in these areas. 

The cluster hire searches are for positions in the following disciplines: 

· Aerospace Engineering 

· Biomedical Engineering 

· Civil Engineering 

· Computer Science/ Software Engineering 

· Electrical Engineering 

· Environmental Engineering 

· Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering 

· Materials Engineering

· Mechanical Engineering 

In addition to the standard new faculty support, candidates selected through this DEI cluster hire will be given additional start-up funds to support their work in DEI. Once hired, candidates will collaborate with their dean and others to develop a plan for utilizing these funds.  

At Cal Poly, 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 diverse 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.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

An earned doctorate (Ph.D. or equivalent) in Bioengineering / Biomedical Engineering or a related discipline, such as Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Materials Science/Engineering, or Computer Science/Engineering, or a closely related field, is required for appointment. Candidates in their terminal year of a doctoral program will also be considered; the position is contingent on completion of the degree. Candidates are expected to demonstrate a commitment to teaching excellence and scholarly activity at the university level and continued professional development. Cal Poly is committed to the teacher-scholar model: as teachers, faculty are expected to exhibit strong pedagogic skills and to continually improve their teaching. As scholars, faculty members are expected to maintain competency in the field and enhance the vitality of our programs. As colleagues, it is expected that all faculty contribute to service activities at various levels of the university. Additionally, faculty members should build collaborative relationships within the university and with colleagues at other universities. An ability to communicate effectively and work cooperatively with students, faculty, staff, and administration from diverse ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds is essential. 

The ideal candidate will show evidence of attention to issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion across their teaching, scholarship, and service. Applicants must submit a diversity statement which focuses on evidence of the applicant’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, and a description of how you will demonstrate a commitment in these areas in teaching, research, and/or service at Cal Poly. Potential topics may include but are not limited to: implementing inclusive classroom environments, the intersection of DEI in your research/scholarship, mentoring students with diverse backgrounds, outreach to under-represented student populations, implementing bias mitigation and previous professional development in diversity and inclusion topics.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Background in digital health, wearable devices, or related technologies. 

• Active engagement in scholarship and professional development. 

• Excellence in university level teaching and research.

• Knowledge of industry practices. 

• Working knowledge in modern design and analysis tools. 

• Excellence in laboratory-based, hands-on instruction. 

• Willingness to teach in multiple areas of the undergraduate and graduate biomedical engineering curriculum. 

Preference will be given to those who can show evidence of working with diverse populations and fostering a collaborative, supportive and inclusive environment. 

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.

Following a conditional offer of employment, a background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily. 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.

CSU requires faculty, staff, and students who are accessing campus facilities to be immunized against COVID-19 or declare a medical or religious exemption from doing so.  Any candidates advanced in a search process should be prepared to comply with this requirement. The systemwide policy can be found at CSU Vaccination Policy and questions may be sent to academicpersonnel@calpoly.edu.

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.

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT

Our Biomedical Engineering Department is a community of faculty, staff, and students who strive to synthesize engineering expertise and medical needs to innovatively solve complex problems in biology and medicine for the enhancement of health care and the betterment of society. The department offers both BS and MS degrees, and it seeks to strengthen its position in digital health, wearable devices, and related areas.  Additional information about the Department can be found at http://bmed.calpoly.edu. 

HOW TO APPLY

To apply, complete the online faculty application at http://jobs.calpoly.edu, and submit it to requisition 520498. Please attach the following materials: (1) cover letter, (2) curriculum vitae, (3) statement of teaching philosophy, (4) statement on diversity as described in the required qualifications section.  Please be prepared to provide contact information for 3 professional references to which we may call or email. The successful applicant will be required to provide 3 letters of recommendation and official transcripts confirming the highest degree. Review of applications will begin December 15, 2022. Complete applications received after that date may be considered.