Position Rank and Title: Assistant Professor, Sociology with a specialization in Science, Knowledge, and Technology Studies

School/Department Name: Department of Sociology and Interdisciplinary Social Sciences

Compensation: Commensurate with qualifications, experience, and rank as established by the CSU Salary Schedule. Anticipated hiring academic year annual salary range: $86,000 - $90,000      

Faculty employee benefits are very competitive for the higher education sector.  See the CSU Employee Benefits Summary for details about the CSU’s excellent benefits package.

Target Start Date: August 2025

Application Deadline: November 1, 2024

Position Description

The Department of Sociology and Interdisciplinary Social Sciences (SISS) at San José State University (SJSU) invites applications from scholars in the areas of Science, Knowledge, and Technology Studies (SKAT) and Sociology of Science and Technology Studies (STS). Candidates are expected to teach and develop courses in their area of specialty and core sociology topics. The ideal candidate will have a strong research agenda focusing on the societal impacts of emerging technologies and scientific knowledge.

As Silicon Valley’s public university located at the academic and geographic center of a technological revolution, San José State University is uniquely situated in the convergence and advancement of research and teaching in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and robotics at an unprecedented pace. SJSU has been advancing artificial intelligence, machine learning (AI/ML), large language models, and related ethical and sociocultural considerations for years. As the world accelerates adaptation to the AI revolution, SJSU will advance its leadership in the development, application, and assessment of these, and preparation of students for future technologies.

The Sociology and Interdisciplinary Social Sciences (SISS)Department offers BA degree programs in Sociology, Asian American Studies, and Women, Gender & Sexuality Studies and minor programs in Sociology, Asian American Studies, Women, Gender, & Sexuality Studies, and Native American and Indigenous Studies. With more than 500 majors and 35 faculty members, SISS is a growing and vibrant department community. Learn more about our department at https://www.sjsu.edu/siss/.

The Sociology and Interdisciplinary Social Sciences (SISS) department is part of the College of Social Sciences, which is committed to equitable and inclusive teaching and learning. The College sees faculty and student success as inextricably linked, and strives to provide culturally-sustaining, and academically-affirming approaches to supporting and engaging students and faculty. We provide opportunities for faculty development around asset-based, holistic student success, and support scholarship of engagement that addresses issues that affect our campus and community. In all of our endeavors, we strive to build leadership capacity and foster a culture of support and belonging for faculty, staff, and students.

The Department of Sociology and Interdisciplinary Social Sciences and San José State University value diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Our excellence in research, teaching, and service can only be fully realized by faculty, students, and staff who share our commitment to these values. SJSU enrolls more than 36,000 students, many of whom are historically underserved, and around 45% are first-generation and 38% are Pell-recipients. SJSU is a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) and Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander (AANAPISI) Serving Institution. The University’s commitment to social justice extends from its vibrant, inclusive campus to an international network of over 275,000 alumni. As such, San José State is committed to increasing the diversity of its faculty so our disciplines, students, and the community can benefit from multiple perspectives tied to diverse positionalities such as race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, age, gender, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, medical condition, marital status, veteran status, or disability.

Successful candidates will demonstrate evidence of a commitment to equity and inclusion through their research, teaching, and/or service. We ask that all applicants include a Diversity Statement with their application package. A guide to writing this statement can be found at SJSU Diversity Statement Guidelines, along with information about how these statements will be evaluated.

Required Qualifications

• A doctorate in sociology from an accredited university by the start of the appointment
• Demonstrated commitment to social scientific scholarship in the areas Science, Knowledge, and Technology Studies (SKAT); Social Studies of Science; and/or Science and Technology Studies (STS).
• A commitment to teaching excellence and demonstrated potential and willingness to teach other sociology courses such as introduction to sociology, research methods, and social theory.
• Research potential, demonstrated through peer reviewed publications and presentations
• Applicants should demonstrate an awareness of and sensitivity to the educational goals of a socially and economically diverse student population as might have been gained in cross-cultural study, training, teaching, and other comparable experience.

Preferred Qualifications

Priority will be given to candidates who possess one or more of the following:

• Strong record of teaching excellence, teaching experience, and a record of service
• Willingness to examine and participate in professional development around one’s instructional, relational, and pedagogical practices to more effectively engage and support historically underserved students.
• Demonstrated understanding of how historical patterns of exclusion within higher education influence student participation and outcomes.
• A demonstrated commitment to working collaboratively, including across disciplines.
  
  

Key Responsibilities

• Teaching and developing undergraduate courses in specialty areas as well as core courses in the sociology major.
• Participating in General Education and program assessment.
• Maintaining an active research agenda.
• Participating in shared governance, usually in department, college, and university committees and other service assignments.
• Demonstrating awareness of and experience in understanding the needs of a student population of great diversity – in age, abilities, cultural background, ethnicity, religion, economic background, primary language, sexual orientation, gender identity, and academic preparation – through inclusive course materials, teaching strategies, and advising.

Other Duties

Note that all San José State University employees are considered mandated reporters under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and are required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment. Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act) and CSU systemwide policy, some faculty duties may lead to designation as a Campus Security Authority (CSA). CSAs are required to complete Clery Act training and to immediately report Clery incidents to the institution.

Faculty employees must complete CSU employee training as assigned and required based on their role (e.g., Data Security, FERPA, Preventing Discrimination and Harassment, Title IX, Health and Safety). The President may recommend or require compliance with safety measures that decrease the likelihood of COVID-19 transmission or illness and allows the core mission and activities of the campus to continue.

Application Procedure

Select Apply Now to complete the SJSU Online Employment Application and attach the following documents:

• letter of interest
• curriculum vitae
• diversity statement
• statement of teaching interests/philosophy
• research plans
• three references with contact information or three references we may contact for letters

Inquiries may be directed to Committee Chair: Carlos E. Garcia (carlos.e.garcia@sjsu.edu)

Conditional Offer

The work for this faculty position is located in the State of California and requires commuting to the campus. Employment is contingent upon US residence and proof of eligibility to work in the United States. Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check) is required for employment. SJSU will make a conditional offer of employment, which 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 employee who was conditionally offered the position.


San José State University: Silicon Valley's Public University

Located in the heart of Silicon Valley — one of the most innovative regions in the world — San José State University is the founding campus of the 23-campus California State University (CSU) system and the first public university in the West. Recognized as a leading transformative educational institution, San José State is an essential partner in the technological, economic, cultural, and social development of Silicon Valley, the Bay Area, and California. SJSU is a top-200 school nationally in research funding and second highest in research productivity in the CSU system. Cutting-edge research, world-class scholarship, student-centered learning, diverse communities, and commitment to social justice, allow SJSU to provide life-changing opportunities and advance the public good locally and globally.

Equal Employment Statement

San José State University prohibits discrimination on the basis of Age, Ancestry, Caste, Color, Disability, Ethnicity, Gender, Gender Expression, Gender Identity, Genetic Information, Marital Status, Medical Condition, Military Status, Nationality, Race, Religion, Religious Creed, Sex, Sexual Orientation, Sex Stereotype, and Veteran Status. This policy applies to all San José State University students, faculty, and staff as well as University programs and activities. Reasonable accommodations are made for applicants with disabilities who self-disclose.

Campus Security and Fire Safety Notification

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, the Annual Security Report (ASR) is also now available for viewing at https://www.sjsu.edu/clery/docs/SJSU-Annual-Security-Report.pdf. The ASR contains the current security and safety-related policy statements, emergency preparedness and evacuation information, crime prevention and Sexual Assault prevention information, and information about drug and alcohol prevention programming. The ASR also contains statistics of Clery crimes for San José State University locations for the three most recent calendar years. A paper copy of the ASR is available upon request by contacting the Office of the Clery Director by phone at 408-924-1501 or by email at clerycompliance@sjsu.edu.

Pursuant to the Higher Education Opportunity Act, the Annual Fire Safety Report (AFSR) is available at https://www.sjsu.edu/clery/docs/SJSU-Annual-Fire-Safety-Report.pdf. The purpose of this report is to disclose statistics for fires that occurred within SJSU on-campus housing facilities for the three most recent calendar years, and to distribute fire safety policies and procedures intended to promote safety on Campus. A paper copy of the AFSR is available upon request by contacting the Housing Office by phone at 408-795-5600 or by email at uhs-frontdesk@sjsu.edu.