Assistant Professor Jobs in California
Assistant Professor jobs in California are among the most active in the nation, concentrated in higher education, research universities, and community college systems at every level from visiting and lecturer tracks through tenure-line appointments. Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego are the largest hiring metros, anchored by institutions such as the University of California system, California State University system, and Stanford University. The most consistent demand is in STEM fields, health sciences, and education, with strong secondary demand in business and the social sciences. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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INTRODUCTION
The Religion and Philosophy Division of Pepperdine University’s Seaver College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences, located in Malibu, California, invites applications for a Visiting Assistant Professor of Christian Thought. This position is a full-time, one-year appointment beginning August 1, 2026, with the possibility of renewal based on performance and funding. A successful candidate will be responsible for teaching a 4/4 load of undergraduate courses, with a focus on REL 100 (The Way of Jesus) and REL 300 (Christianity and Culture), taught in the spirit of 1 Peter 3:15.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The ideal candidate will have completed a Ph.D. in philosophy or theology by August 1, 2026, and all candidates need to provide evidence of:
- Effective teaching in a variety of courses related to Christian thought
- An active research agenda
- A commitment to the Christian mission of the University and the mission of Seaver College, as exemplified in George Pepperdine's dedicatory address
Candidates will also be expected to contribute to the intellectual life of the Division and to engage in service to the Division, College, and University as appropriate for a Visiting position.
Pepperdine is a Christian university committed to the highest standards of academic excellence and Christian values, where students are strengthened for lives of purpose, service, and leadership. Seaver College, the undergraduate liberal arts college of Pepperdine University, enrolls approximately 3,500 students at its residential campus in Malibu, California. The Religion and Philosophy Division of Seaver College offers a Bachelor of Arts degree in Religion and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy, as well as three Master’s programs in Religion.
Located near Los Angeles in Southern California, Pepperdine University is viewed as one of the most beautiful campuses in the United States, with access to all of the benefits of a vibrant metropolis. Pepperdine is an explicitly Christian university, embracing the love of God and neighbor. Fostering a strong sense of belonging, we seek candidates who love God with heart, soul, mind, and strength, and love their neighbors as themselves (Matthew 22:37–40).
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
Application review will begin on June 15, 2026, and will continue until the position is filled. Please submit all application materials to https://apply.interfolio.com/188139.
Applicants are required to submit the following documents:
- A letter of application
- A curriculum vitae
- Three current letters of reference. All letters should be specific to the position and completed within five years prior to the date of submission. The name and email address for each individual providing a letter of recommendation is required when submitting an application.
- Transcripts of all graduate work (Unofficial copies are acceptable for the application; however, official transcripts may be required for selected applicants.)
- Teaching statement. The teaching statement should reflect on the candidate’s values, beliefs, and goals regarding the teaching and learning process and any pedagogical practices used or envisioned to achieve these goals. Two to three pages maximum length is requested.
- Scholarly agenda. The statement should outline the applicant’s short- and long-term objectives and goals for their research and/or scholarly activities. Candidates should reflect on currently published or presented work(s) as a foundation for the statement. Two to three pages maximum length is requested.
- Response to the University’s Christian mission. Pepperdine University’s mission statement declares that we are a Christian university committed to the highest standards of academic excellence and Christian values, where students are strengthened for lives of purpose, service, and leadership. Religiously affiliated with the Churches of Christ, Pepperdine pursues the very highest employment and academic standards within a context which celebrates and extends the spiritual and ethical ideals of the Christian faith. In pursuit of its mission, Pepperdine reserves the right to recruit and hire persons who firmly embrace the goals and Christian mission of the University.
- At Seaver College, the undergraduate college of letters, arts, and sciences at Pepperdine, our faith calls us to uphold the highest standards of academic and scholarly excellence. We therefore commit to pursue truth relentlessly in all disciplines, fully confident that it has nothing to fear from investigation.
- To achieve this goal, the college’s mission statement affirms that we are a Christian college where each student is a person of infinite dignity and their total development is centered at the heart of our educational enterprise.
- Candidates should thoughtfully reflect on the Christian mission of Pepperdine University and of Seaver College and address the following areas in their response:
- A consistent pattern of support for Christian values and the mission of Pepperdine University.
- Active participation in a Christian community of faith.
- A vision for integrating faith and learning in the classroom, ideally with reference to current practices.
Depending on the position, the search committee may request that additional materials accompany the application (e.g., prior teaching evaluations, portfolio of scholarly work, etc.).
Qualified individuals should be able to show respect for workplace differences and have the ability to work effectively with individuals from different backgrounds.
EMPLOYMENT CONTINGENCIES
Offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of a criminal, education, and employment screening. The University conducts such screenings in compliance with applicable laws and with the objectives of evaluating risk and supporting a safe environment for students, faculty, staff, and guests; safeguarding key University assets including people, property, information, and the University’s reputation; and providing comprehensive job-related information to University leaders to enable them to make prudent hiring decisions. Qualified individuals with criminal histories will be considered for employment in compliance with applicable laws, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance.
JOB TYPE
This is a Full-Time, Exempt, 40 hour per week position.
COMPENSATION
Expected Pay Rate: $70,304 per year
The above pay range reflects what Pepperdine University reasonably expects to pay for this faculty appointment at time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on relevant factors such as work experience, market conditions, education/training, and skill level. In addition to base pay, Pepperdine offers a robust and highly competitive benefits package.
EEO STATEMENT
Pepperdine is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of any status or condition protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Pepperdine is committed to providing a work environment free from all forms of unlawful discrimination and harassment. Engaging in unlawful discrimination or harassment will result in appropriate disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal from the University.
Pepperdine is religiously affiliated with the Churches of Christ. It is the purpose of Pepperdine to pursue the very highest employment and academic standards within a context that celebrates and extends the spiritual and ethical ideals of the Christian faith. While students, faculty, and staff represent many religious backgrounds, Pepperdine is permitted under applicable law and reserves the right to seek, hire, and promote persons who support the goals and mission of the institution, including the right to prefer co-religionists who support Pepperdine's Christian mission.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Please contact the chairperson of the search committee:
Dyron B. Daughrity, PhD
Divisional Dean of Religion and Philosophy
William S. Banowsky Chair in Religion
Seaver College, Pepperdine University
24255 Pacific Coast Highway
Malibu, CA 90263-4352
INTRODUCTION
The Religion and Philosophy Division of Pepperdine University’s Seaver College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences, located in Malibu, California, invites applications for a Visiting Assistant Professor of Christian Thought. This position is a full-time, one-year appointment beginning August 1, 2026, with the possibility of renewal based on performance and funding. A successful candidate will be responsible for teaching a 4/4 load of undergraduate courses, with a focus on REL 100 (The Way of Jesus) and REL 300 (Christianity and Culture), taught in the spirit of 1 Peter 3:15.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The ideal candidate will have completed a Ph.D. in philosophy or theology by August 1, 2026, and all candidates need to provide evidence of:
- Effective teaching in a variety of courses related to Christian thought
- An active research agenda
- A commitment to the Christian mission of the University and the mission of Seaver College, as exemplified in George Pepperdine's dedicatory address
Candidates will also be expected to contribute to the intellectual life of the Division and to engage in service to the Division, College, and University as appropriate for a Visiting position.
Pepperdine is a Christian university committed to the highest standards of academic excellence and Christian values, where students are strengthened for lives of purpose, service, and leadership. Seaver College, the undergraduate liberal arts college of Pepperdine University, enrolls approximately 3,500 students at its residential campus in Malibu, California. The Religion and Philosophy Division of Seaver College offers a Bachelor of Arts degree in Religion and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy, as well as three Master’s programs in Religion.
Located near Los Angeles in Southern California, Pepperdine University is viewed as one of the most beautiful campuses in the United States, with access to all of the benefits of a vibrant metropolis. Pepperdine is an explicitly Christian university, embracing the love of God and neighbor. Fostering a strong sense of belonging, we seek candidates who love God with heart, soul, mind, and strength, and love their neighbors as themselves (Matthew 22:37–40).
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
Application review will begin on June 15, 2026, and will continue until the position is filled. Please submit all application materials to https://apply.interfolio.com/188139.
Applicants are required to submit the following documents:
- A letter of application
- A curriculum vitae
- Three current letters of reference. All letters should be specific to the position and completed within five years prior to the date of submission. The name and email address for each individual providing a letter of recommendation is required when submitting an application.
- Transcripts of all graduate work (Unofficial copies are acceptable for the application; however, official transcripts may be required for selected applicants.)
- Teaching statement. The teaching statement should reflect on the candidate’s values, beliefs, and goals regarding the teaching and learning process and any pedagogical practices used or envisioned to achieve these goals. Two to three pages maximum length is requested.
- Scholarly agenda. The statement should outline the applicant’s short- and long-term objectives and goals for their research and/or scholarly activities. Candidates should reflect on currently published or presented work(s) as a foundation for the statement. Two to three pages maximum length is requested.
- Response to the University’s Christian mission. Pepperdine University’s mission statement declares that we are a Christian university committed to the highest standards of academic excellence and Christian values, where students are strengthened for lives of purpose, service, and leadership. Religiously affiliated with the Churches of Christ, Pepperdine pursues the very highest employment and academic standards within a context which celebrates and extends the spiritual and ethical ideals of the Christian faith. In pursuit of its mission, Pepperdine reserves the right to recruit and hire persons who firmly embrace the goals and Christian mission of the University.
- At Seaver College, the undergraduate college of letters, arts, and sciences at Pepperdine, our faith calls us to uphold the highest standards of academic and scholarly excellence. We therefore commit to pursue truth relentlessly in all disciplines, fully confident that it has nothing to fear from investigation.
- To achieve this goal, the college’s mission statement affirms that we are a Christian college where each student is a person of infinite dignity and their total development is centered at the heart of our educational enterprise.
- Candidates should thoughtfully reflect on the Christian mission of Pepperdine University and of Seaver College and address the following areas in their response:
- A consistent pattern of support for Christian values and the mission of Pepperdine University.
- Active participation in a Christian community of faith.
- A vision for integrating faith and learning in the classroom, ideally with reference to current practices.
Depending on the position, the search committee may request that additional materials accompany the application (e.g., prior teaching evaluations, portfolio of scholarly work, etc.).
Qualified individuals should be able to show respect for workplace differences and have the ability to work effectively with individuals from different backgrounds.
EMPLOYMENT CONTINGENCIES
Offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of a criminal, education, and employment screening. The University conducts such screenings in compliance with applicable laws and with the objectives of evaluating risk and supporting a safe environment for students, faculty, staff, and guests; safeguarding key University assets including people, property, information, and the University’s reputation; and providing comprehensive job-related information to University leaders to enable them to make prudent hiring decisions. Qualified individuals with criminal histories will be considered for employment in compliance with applicable laws, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance.
JOB TYPE
This is a Full-Time, Exempt, 40 hour per week position.
COMPENSATION
Expected Pay Rate: $70,304 per year
The above pay range reflects what Pepperdine University reasonably expects to pay for this faculty appointment at time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on relevant factors such as work experience, market conditions, education/training, and skill level. In addition to base pay, Pepperdine offers a robust and highly competitive benefits package.
EEO STATEMENT
Pepperdine is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of any status or condition protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Pepperdine is committed to providing a work environment free from all forms of unlawful discrimination and harassment. Engaging in unlawful discrimination or harassment will result in appropriate disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal from the University.
Pepperdine is religiously affiliated with the Churches of Christ. It is the purpose of Pepperdine to pursue the very highest employment and academic standards within a context that celebrates and extends the spiritual and ethical ideals of the Christian faith. While students, faculty, and staff represent many religious backgrounds, Pepperdine is permitted under applicable law and reserves the right to seek, hire, and promote persons who support the goals and mission of the institution, including the right to prefer co-religionists who support Pepperdine's Christian mission.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Please contact the chairperson of the search committee:
Dyron B. Daughrity, PhD
Divisional Dean of Religion and Philosophy
William S. Banowsky Chair in Religion
Seaver College, Pepperdine University
24255 Pacific Coast Highway
Malibu, CA 90263-4352
See All 130+ Assistant Professor Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Assistant Professor JobsAssistant Professor Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Assistant Professor Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- University of California, San Francisco32
- University of the Pacific30
- University of La Verne11
- Touro University9
- Western University of Health Sciences8
Top Industries Hiring
- Education127
- Healthcare & Medical Services44
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in assistant professor jobs across California.
- Terminal degree (PhD or MFA) required in the relevant discipline from an accredited institution
- Demonstrated record of peer-reviewed research, publications, or creative work in the field
- Evidence of effective college-level teaching experience or potential as an instructor
- Active or in-progress program of scholarly inquiry aligned with department priorities
- Experience advising undergraduate or graduate students and participating in faculty governance
- Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in teaching, research, and service
Assistant Professor Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a assistant professor in California?
Becoming an assistant professor in California requires earning a terminal degree, typically a PhD or MFA, in your discipline. Most tenure-track positions also expect a demonstrable research agenda and teaching experience. California community colleges follow a separate path governed by the California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office, which sets minimum qualifications by discipline, and some positions require a master's degree plus a specific subject-matter credential rather than a doctorate.
Which companies hire assistant professors in California?
Employers hiring assistant professors in California right now include University of California, San Francisco, University of the Pacific, and University of La Verne, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. California's size and density of research universities, state university campuses, and community colleges across the UC, CSU, and independent college systems means openings appear year-round across a wide range of disciplines.
Which California cities have the most assistant professor jobs?
San Francisco, Stockton, and Sacramento have the most assistant professor openings in California. Los Angeles leads because it is home to multiple UC and CSU campuses, a large community college district, and numerous private institutions, while San Francisco and San Diego benefit from major research universities and health sciences programs tied to world-class medical centers and biotech industries.
Are there remote assistant professor jobs in California?
Yes, but they're limited. Most assistant professor positions require on-campus presence for teaching, labs, office hours, and faculty governance, making fully remote appointments uncommon. About 2% of assistant professor openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of June 2026. The roles most likely to allow some remote flexibility are in online program divisions, instructional design-heavy departments, or distance education units at larger university systems.
How can I get hired as a assistant professor in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a postdoctoral fellowship or visiting lecturer position, both of which are widely available at UC and CSU campuses and allow you to build a publication record and teaching portfolio. Many California community colleges hire adjunct instructors with a master's degree and welcome applicants who are new to full-time faculty roles. Completing a teaching development certificate through a UC graduate division and presenting at regional disciplinary conferences in California can strengthen an early-career application.
Where can I find and apply to assistant professor jobs in California?
You can find and apply to assistant professor jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings across universities, state colleges, and community colleges. Search the listings to see roles that match your discipline and career stage, then apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 130+ Assistant Professor Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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