California State University
Assistant Professor-African American Studies (Race and Technology)
California State University, San Jose, California, United States, 95199
Position Rank and Title
Assistant Professor of African American Studies (Race and Technology) School/Department
Department of African American Studies 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. Benefits
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 2026 Application Deadline
November 1, 2025 extended deadline (Applications accepted until filled or closed) Position Description
The Department of African American Studies at San José State University is pleased to announce a search for an Assistant Professor with a specialization in Race and Technology beginning in August 2026. The ideal candidate will examine how race intersects with technological development, including but not limited to AI systems, algorithmic bias, surveillance, digital equity, and the sociopolitical impacts of emerging technologies on Black communities. The candidate will support and expand curriculum and engage in research that offers students ways to understand both historical and contemporary notions of race and our evolving relationship with, and dependency on, technology. Furthermore, the ideal candidate will examine how technologies replicate inequality, racism, and discrimination through design, data, and delivery. The successful candidate will teach interdisciplinary courses, conduct critical research, and engage in public scholarship that advances equity and justice in the tech-driven world. The department is a long-standing unit with a reputation for excellence in teaching, service, and scholarship. Faculty include tenure-line and lecturers trained in various disciplines with distinct community and research interests contributing to a vibrant scholarly community. African American Studies offers an undergraduate major and two minor concentrations (African American Studies and Black Women’s Studies). It also offers a BA+MA in Teaching (4+1) degree in connection with the Spartan Accelerated Graduate Education Scholars program. This degree program is designed to prepare graduates to teach History, Social Studies, and Ethnic Studies in California public secondary schools. The department notes that it offers undergraduate courses that fulfill Ethnic Studies general education requirements. The African American Studies department in the College of Social Sciences and San José State University values inclusive excellence and is committed to advancing equity through research, teaching, and service. We enroll nearly 40,000 students; approximately 45% of our undergraduate students are first-generation college students and 38% are Pell Grant recipients. We are a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) and an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPISI). SJSU aspires to create holistic learning environments that facilitate both individual and collective transformation. We seek teacher-scholars who cultivate inclusive, empowering spaces for mutual learning, skill-building, and knowledge exchange for all students. Our commitment to lifelong learning supports meaningful connections among faculty, staff, students, alumni, and the broader communities we serve. We invite all applicants to include a Statement of Inclusive Excellence (or incorporate it into your cover letter) to share how your lived and professional experiences will contribute to the SJSU community—particularly in relation to student success and inclusive education. A guide to writing this statement can be found at SJSU Inclusive Excellence Statement Guidelines. Required Qualifications
Ph.D. in African American/Africana/Black Studies OR in a related field (i.e., Social Sciences, Humanities or Sciences) from an accredited university. Ph.D. must be conferred by the start of the appointment. Record of scholarly activity in or demonstrated commitment to the area of race and technology. Demonstrated commitment to teaching excellence and advising for undergraduate and graduate students. Effective communication and collaboration with a range of constituents (e.g., students, community members, faculty colleagues, administrators). Aware of and sensitivity to the educational goals of a socially and economically diverse student population as might be 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 and research excellence and a record of service. Willingness to examine and participate in professional development around instructional, relational, and classroom practices to more effectively engage and support historically underserved students. Understanding of how historical patterns of exclusion within higher education influence student participation and outcomes. Evidence of undergraduate and graduate student mentoring. Key Responsibilities
Teach critical departmental survey and/or general education courses, and develop undergraduate courses in the candidate’s specialty areas. Participate in general education and program assessment. Maintain an active research agenda. Participate in shared governance, usually in department, college, and university committees and other service assignments. Organize all classes within the Canvas Learning Management System (LMS). Demonstrate awareness and experience in understanding the needs of a highly diverse student population through inclusive course materials, teaching strategies, and advisement. Other Duties
Note: 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 CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment. Some faculty duties may lead to designation as a Campus Security Authority (CSA). CSAs are required to complete Clery Act training and immediately report Clery incidents to the institution. Faculty employees must complete CSU employee training as assigned and required based on their role. The President may require safety measures to decrease the likelihood of COVID-19 transmission or illness while allowing campus mission and activities to continue. Application Procedure
Click Apply Now to complete the SJSU Online Employment Application and attach the following documents: Letter of interest Curriculum vitae Inclusive Excellence Statement (separate statement or addressed in the letter of interest) Statement of teaching interests/philosophy Research plans Three references with contact information Inquiries may be directed to the Department Chair: Travis D. Boyce Contact email: travis.boyce@sjsu.edu Conditional Offer
The work for this faculty position may only be performed in the State of California and requires establishing an on-campus presence. Employment is contingent upon US residence and proof of eligibility to work in the United States. Satisfactory completion of a background check is required for employment. A conditional offer may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information or if 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 Silicon Valley, San José State University is the founding campus of the 23-campus CSU system. SJSU is a leading institution in research, teaching, and service, with a commitment to social justice and 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, Sex, Sexual Orientation, and Veteran Status. Reasonable accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities who self-disclose. Campus Security and Fire Safety
The Annual Security Report (ASR) and Annual Fire Safety Report (AFSR) are available at the university website. Paper copies can be requested from respective offices if needed.
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Assistant Professor of African American Studies (Race and Technology) School/Department
Department of African American Studies 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. Benefits
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 2026 Application Deadline
November 1, 2025 extended deadline (Applications accepted until filled or closed) Position Description
The Department of African American Studies at San José State University is pleased to announce a search for an Assistant Professor with a specialization in Race and Technology beginning in August 2026. The ideal candidate will examine how race intersects with technological development, including but not limited to AI systems, algorithmic bias, surveillance, digital equity, and the sociopolitical impacts of emerging technologies on Black communities. The candidate will support and expand curriculum and engage in research that offers students ways to understand both historical and contemporary notions of race and our evolving relationship with, and dependency on, technology. Furthermore, the ideal candidate will examine how technologies replicate inequality, racism, and discrimination through design, data, and delivery. The successful candidate will teach interdisciplinary courses, conduct critical research, and engage in public scholarship that advances equity and justice in the tech-driven world. The department is a long-standing unit with a reputation for excellence in teaching, service, and scholarship. Faculty include tenure-line and lecturers trained in various disciplines with distinct community and research interests contributing to a vibrant scholarly community. African American Studies offers an undergraduate major and two minor concentrations (African American Studies and Black Women’s Studies). It also offers a BA+MA in Teaching (4+1) degree in connection with the Spartan Accelerated Graduate Education Scholars program. This degree program is designed to prepare graduates to teach History, Social Studies, and Ethnic Studies in California public secondary schools. The department notes that it offers undergraduate courses that fulfill Ethnic Studies general education requirements. The African American Studies department in the College of Social Sciences and San José State University values inclusive excellence and is committed to advancing equity through research, teaching, and service. We enroll nearly 40,000 students; approximately 45% of our undergraduate students are first-generation college students and 38% are Pell Grant recipients. We are a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) and an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPISI). SJSU aspires to create holistic learning environments that facilitate both individual and collective transformation. We seek teacher-scholars who cultivate inclusive, empowering spaces for mutual learning, skill-building, and knowledge exchange for all students. Our commitment to lifelong learning supports meaningful connections among faculty, staff, students, alumni, and the broader communities we serve. We invite all applicants to include a Statement of Inclusive Excellence (or incorporate it into your cover letter) to share how your lived and professional experiences will contribute to the SJSU community—particularly in relation to student success and inclusive education. A guide to writing this statement can be found at SJSU Inclusive Excellence Statement Guidelines. Required Qualifications
Ph.D. in African American/Africana/Black Studies OR in a related field (i.e., Social Sciences, Humanities or Sciences) from an accredited university. Ph.D. must be conferred by the start of the appointment. Record of scholarly activity in or demonstrated commitment to the area of race and technology. Demonstrated commitment to teaching excellence and advising for undergraduate and graduate students. Effective communication and collaboration with a range of constituents (e.g., students, community members, faculty colleagues, administrators). Aware of and sensitivity to the educational goals of a socially and economically diverse student population as might be 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 and research excellence and a record of service. Willingness to examine and participate in professional development around instructional, relational, and classroom practices to more effectively engage and support historically underserved students. Understanding of how historical patterns of exclusion within higher education influence student participation and outcomes. Evidence of undergraduate and graduate student mentoring. Key Responsibilities
Teach critical departmental survey and/or general education courses, and develop undergraduate courses in the candidate’s specialty areas. Participate in general education and program assessment. Maintain an active research agenda. Participate in shared governance, usually in department, college, and university committees and other service assignments. Organize all classes within the Canvas Learning Management System (LMS). Demonstrate awareness and experience in understanding the needs of a highly diverse student population through inclusive course materials, teaching strategies, and advisement. Other Duties
Note: 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 CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment. Some faculty duties may lead to designation as a Campus Security Authority (CSA). CSAs are required to complete Clery Act training and immediately report Clery incidents to the institution. Faculty employees must complete CSU employee training as assigned and required based on their role. The President may require safety measures to decrease the likelihood of COVID-19 transmission or illness while allowing campus mission and activities to continue. Application Procedure
Click Apply Now to complete the SJSU Online Employment Application and attach the following documents: Letter of interest Curriculum vitae Inclusive Excellence Statement (separate statement or addressed in the letter of interest) Statement of teaching interests/philosophy Research plans Three references with contact information Inquiries may be directed to the Department Chair: Travis D. Boyce Contact email: travis.boyce@sjsu.edu Conditional Offer
The work for this faculty position may only be performed in the State of California and requires establishing an on-campus presence. Employment is contingent upon US residence and proof of eligibility to work in the United States. Satisfactory completion of a background check is required for employment. A conditional offer may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information or if 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 Silicon Valley, San José State University is the founding campus of the 23-campus CSU system. SJSU is a leading institution in research, teaching, and service, with a commitment to social justice and 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, Sex, Sexual Orientation, and Veteran Status. Reasonable accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities who self-disclose. Campus Security and Fire Safety
The Annual Security Report (ASR) and Annual Fire Safety Report (AFSR) are available at the university website. Paper copies can be requested from respective offices if needed.
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