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Assistant Professor of Electrical Engineering

Employer: California State University San Marcos (CSUSM)

Are you an electrical engineer with a strong research background who enjoys teaching and helping students develop practical engineering skills? California State University San Marcos (CSUSM) is inviting applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor of Electrical Engineering.

This opportunity combines university teaching, research, student mentorship and curriculum development. You’ll help prepare undergraduate students for careers in a field that continues to evolve, while developing your own research programme and contributing to the department’s academic growth.

The university welcomes scholars across the electrical engineering discipline. It is also investing in quantum science and technology, and applicants whose research aligns with that area may be eligible for enhanced start-up support.

The role is scheduled to begin in Fall 2027. The university plans to start reviewing applications on November 30, 2026, and will continue until it fills the position. Because no fixed closing date is listed, interested candidates should prepare their application early.

About the Role

CSUSM’s Electrical and Computer Engineering Department is developing its teaching and research capabilities as its electrical engineering programme grows. The department has modern laboratories, an ABET-accredited programme and relationships with local industry.

The successful candidate will contribute to an undergraduate-centred programme that values innovative teaching and research-informed learning. You’ll teach students, guide research activities and help develop a learning environment where students can connect engineering theory with real problems.

The university is also expanding its science and engineering facilities. A new 75,000-square-foot Integrated Science and Engineering building is expected to open in 2027, adding modern laboratory space to support teaching and research.

Although quantum science and technology is a strategic area of investment, the search is not restricted to quantum specialists. Researchers from other electrical engineering fields are encouraged to apply and will receive full consideration.

Primary Responsibilities

This is a faculty position that combines teaching, research and academic service. Your precise teaching and research activities will depend on your expertise and the department’s needs, but the role is expected to include the following:

• Teach undergraduate students: Prepare and deliver electrical engineering courses using clear explanations, practical examples and effective learning methods.
• Develop innovative teaching approaches: Use research-informed instruction, project-based learning and other approaches that help students understand complex engineering concepts.
• Build an active research programme: Develop research questions, conduct studies and produce original findings suitable for peer-reviewed publication.
• Publish research: Maintain a record of scholarly output appropriate to your career stage and contribute new knowledge to electrical engineering.
• Mentor students: Support students’ academic progress and help them develop their research, technical and professional skills.
• Develop courses and laboratories: Contribute to curriculum development, laboratory activities and improvements to the undergraduate programme.
• Seek external funding: Where appropriate, pursue research funding and opportunities that can support your research programme and student involvement.
• Support programme assessment: Contribute to assessment and accreditation activities, including work connected with ABET standards.
• Build industry connections: Explore partnerships that create opportunities for collaboration, research and student development.
• Work with colleagues: Collaborate with departmental faculty and contribute to the wider academic community.

Minimum Qualifications

CSUSM has set specific academic and professional requirements for this position. Before applying, make sure you can demonstrate the following:

• A bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering.
• A PhD in Electrical Engineering or a closely related discipline, completed by the time of appointment.
• A demonstrated commitment to teaching excellence.
• A record of published research that is appropriate for your years of experience.
• The ability to develop and maintain a research programme that produces original, peer-reviewed publications.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to work cooperatively with departmental colleagues.
• The ability to communicate effectively with students from different backgrounds, life experiences and educational pathways.

Still completing your PhD? Applicants who have reached the all-but-dissertation (ABD) stage may be considered. However, you must have your doctoral degree conferred by the time you are appointed. Being ABD alone does not satisfy the final doctoral requirement.

Preferred Qualifications

The university also identifies experience and interests that could strengthen your application. These are preferred qualifications rather than additional minimum requirements.

• An earned PhD specifically in Electrical Engineering.
• Experience using research-based teaching methods, including project-based or community-service learning.
• The ability to support students with different educational experiences and personal backgrounds.
• Experience or an interest in developing courses, laboratories and research activities.
• Familiarity with external research funding, programme assessment and ABET accreditation.
• Experience or potential to build productive partnerships with industry.
• Participation in professional engineering organisations, such as the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), or relevant engineering societies.
• Research expertise that complements existing faculty strengths or expands the programme’s current teaching and research opportunities.

Applicants working in quantum science and technology may also be interested in the university’s research investment in this area. However, the department welcomes applications from across electrical engineering, so you should explain your own research strengths clearly rather than trying to force a connection that doesn’t fit your work.

Job Snapshot

Salary and Benefits

The anticipated hiring salary is $9,500–$10,334 per month. The university also lists a broader California State University classification salary range of $6,221–$13,224 per month. These are different figures: the anticipated hiring range is the more relevant guide to the expected starting salary for this vacancy.

CSUSM offers a benefits package for eligible employees that includes health, dental and vision insurance, retirement options, paid time off, tuition fee waivers and other employee benefits.

The faculty position also includes a start-up package. Depending on the arrangement, this may provide options for summer salary and/or a reduced teaching load during the first year to help a new faculty member establish their teaching and research programme.

Candidates whose research aligns with the university’s quantum science and technology investment may be eligible for enhanced start-up support. This is not an automatic benefit for every applicant, so discuss eligibility and the details of the package with the university during recruitment.

Visa Sponsorship and International Applicants

International researchers may be interested in this US academic opportunity, but it’s important to read the university’s immigration notice carefully before applying.

CSUSM states that it is not currently sponsoring applicants for H-1B employment who are subject to the $100,000 fee established by the presidential proclamation issued on September 19, 2025, concerning certain nonimmigrant workers. The university says applicants are responsible for determining whether that fee applies to their circumstances.

This is a specific restriction, not a statement that every international applicant is automatically excluded. However, the vacancy does not promise visa sponsorship to all applicants. If you need immigration support, contact the university’s recruitment team before making plans, and ask whether your circumstances and intended immigration route can be accommodated.

Also note that the university requires employees to perform CSU-related work within California. Working outside the state is not permitted for this position under the CSU’s out-of-state employment policy.

Do not assume that receiving a job offer automatically grants permission to work in the United States. Confirm your eligibility and any required immigration arrangements directly with the university.

Who Should Apply?

This role is a good fit for an electrical engineering researcher who wants to build an academic career combining undergraduate teaching, research and student mentorship.

You may be a strong candidate if you can demonstrate:

• A completed or near-completed PhD that meets the appointment requirement.
• Peer-reviewed publications and a clear direction for future research.
• A thoughtful approach to undergraduate teaching and student support.
• The ability to develop research projects and involve students in meaningful academic work.
• Interest in curriculum development, laboratories or industry collaboration.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills.

Your research doesn’t have to focus on quantum technology to be considered. The university is accepting applications across electrical engineering, so make sure your cover letter explains your specialisation, teaching interests, research accomplishments and how you could contribute to the department.

How to Apply

Applications are submitted through California State University San Marcos’s online employment system. Prepare your documents before opening the form so you can complete the application accurately.

The university asks applicants to provide the following:

• Cover letter: Address the minimum and preferred qualifications and explain why you’re suitable for the role.
• Curriculum vitae (CV): Include your academic qualifications, teaching experience, research activity, publications and three professional references.
• Teaching philosophy statement: Keep it to a maximum of two pages.
• Research statement: Describe your research accomplishments and future research goals in no more than two pages.
• Graduate-level transcripts: Include copies showing relevant coursework.
• Research materials: Prepare reprints of representative publications and details of work in progress.

You’ll also need contact information for three professional references. The university’s application system will request recommendation letters. The search committee may ask for your two most relevant and recent journal publications.

Before submitting, check that your teaching and research statements follow the page limits. Make sure your cover letter responds directly to the qualifications rather than simply repeating your CV.