Professor Jobs in California
Professor jobs in California are concentrated in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego, where the University of California system, California State University campuses, and Stanford University sustain steady demand for instructors at every level from lecturer to full professor. The most in-demand specialties are computer science, nursing and health sciences, and engineering, reflecting the state's technology and healthcare industries. California operates one of the most active academic hiring markets in the country, with openings across research universities, community colleges, and professional schools year-round. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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Showing 5 of 480+ Professor jobs
Position overview
Position title: Assistant ProfessorEffective 10/01/2026 A reasonable salary range estimate for this position is: $111,400-$139,200.
The posted UC Academic salary scales set the minimum pay as determined by rank and/or step at appointment. See UC Salary Scales for this position. The base salary range, from the salary table(s), for this position is: $107,100-$133,800.
Effective 10/01/2026 $111,400-$139,200.
“Off-scale salaries” and other components of pay, i.e., a salary that is higher than the published system-wide salary at the designated rank and step, are offered when necessary to meet competitive conditions, qualifications, and experience.
Additional UCSD salary information can be found on Academic Personnel Services Website Salary Programs and Scales
Application Window
Open date: September 16, 2026
Next review date: Tuesday, Dec 1, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.
Final date: Wednesday, Jun 2, 2027 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.
Position description
The UC San Diego Department of Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) invites applications for tenure-track faculty positions at the Assistant Professor rank. The department is looking for exceptional candidates in all areas of Computer Science and Engineering.
We are looking for applicants with outstanding research credentials. Successful applicants are expected to lead a vigorous research program and will be required to teach university students. We are particularly seeking faculty passionate about working with students and training the next generation of researchers. In particular, the responsibilities of tenured faculty are (1) research and scholarly achievement, (2) teaching, (3) professional and university service.
CSE is home to over 70 faculty and 1,000 graduate students who span a range of research areas in computer science, computer engineering and bioinformatics. In addition, the department works closely with the Center for Networked Systems (CNS), the California Institute for Telecommunications and Information Technology (CalIT2), the Halicioglu Data Science Institute (HDSI), the Design Lab, the Contextual Robotics Institute (CRI), San Diego Supercomputer Center (SDSC), and the Center for Wireless Communications (CWC), which provide unique opportunities and resources. More information can be found at UC San Diego Computer Science & Engineering Website.
We encourage candidates to send applications as soon as possible.
Qualifications
Applicants must have a Ph.D. or advancement to candidacy in computer science and/or electrical or computer engineering and/or mathematics or statistics and/or bioinformatics or computational biology and/or computational social science and/or information science or informatics and/or physics.
Application Requirements
Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
Cover Letter
Statement of Research
Statement of Teaching
Misc/Additional - Applicants may submit additional documents that provide relevant evidence of qualifications, achievements, or experience and are not otherwise captured in the Cover Letter, Curriculum Vitae, Statement of Research, or Statement of Teaching.
(Optional)
- 3-8 letters of reference required
Applicants are required to provide a minimum of 3 letters of recommendation.
Help contact: nbarr@ucsd.edu
About UC San Diego
The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.
As a university employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.
The University of California prohibits smoking and tobacco use at all of its university-controlled properties.
The UC San Diego Annual Security & Fire Safety Report is available online at: https://www.police.ucsd.edu/docs/annualclery.pdf. This report provides crime and fire statistics, as well as institutional policy statements & procedures. Contact the UC San Diego Police Department at (858) 534-4361 if you want to obtain paper copies of this report.
As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct, are currently being investigated for misconduct, left a position during an investigation for alleged misconduct, or have filed an appeal with a previous employer.
Click for more information on Assembly Bill-810
Click for more information on Senate Bill-791
- “Misconduct” means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant’s previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer.
- UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy: [https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4000385/SVSH]
- UC Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, Students and Third Parties: [https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination]
Job location
Position overview
Position title: Assistant ProfessorEffective 10/01/2026 A reasonable salary range estimate for this position is: $111,400-$139,200.
The posted UC Academic salary scales set the minimum pay as determined by rank and/or step at appointment. See UC Salary Scales for this position. The base salary range, from the salary table(s), for this position is: $107,100-$133,800.
Effective 10/01/2026 $111,400-$139,200.
“Off-scale salaries” and other components of pay, i.e., a salary that is higher than the published system-wide salary at the designated rank and step, are offered when necessary to meet competitive conditions, qualifications, and experience.
Additional UCSD salary information can be found on Academic Personnel Services Website Salary Programs and Scales
Application Window
Open date: September 16, 2026
Next review date: Tuesday, Dec 1, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.
Final date: Wednesday, Jun 2, 2027 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.
Position description
The UC San Diego Department of Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) invites applications for tenure-track faculty positions at the Assistant Professor rank. The department is looking for exceptional candidates in all areas of Computer Science and Engineering.
We are looking for applicants with outstanding research credentials. Successful applicants are expected to lead a vigorous research program and will be required to teach university students. We are particularly seeking faculty passionate about working with students and training the next generation of researchers. In particular, the responsibilities of tenured faculty are (1) research and scholarly achievement, (2) teaching, (3) professional and university service.
CSE is home to over 70 faculty and 1,000 graduate students who span a range of research areas in computer science, computer engineering and bioinformatics. In addition, the department works closely with the Center for Networked Systems (CNS), the California Institute for Telecommunications and Information Technology (CalIT2), the Halicioglu Data Science Institute (HDSI), the Design Lab, the Contextual Robotics Institute (CRI), San Diego Supercomputer Center (SDSC), and the Center for Wireless Communications (CWC), which provide unique opportunities and resources. More information can be found at UC San Diego Computer Science & Engineering Website.
We encourage candidates to send applications as soon as possible.
Qualifications
Applicants must have a Ph.D. or advancement to candidacy in computer science and/or electrical or computer engineering and/or mathematics or statistics and/or bioinformatics or computational biology and/or computational social science and/or information science or informatics and/or physics.
Application Requirements
Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
Cover Letter
Statement of Research
Statement of Teaching
Misc/Additional - Applicants may submit additional documents that provide relevant evidence of qualifications, achievements, or experience and are not otherwise captured in the Cover Letter, Curriculum Vitae, Statement of Research, or Statement of Teaching.
(Optional)
- 3-8 letters of reference required
Applicants are required to provide a minimum of 3 letters of recommendation.
Help contact: nbarr@ucsd.edu
About UC San Diego
The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.
As a university employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.
The University of California prohibits smoking and tobacco use at all of its university-controlled properties.
The UC San Diego Annual Security & Fire Safety Report is available online at: https://www.police.ucsd.edu/docs/annualclery.pdf. This report provides crime and fire statistics, as well as institutional policy statements & procedures. Contact the UC San Diego Police Department at (858) 534-4361 if you want to obtain paper copies of this report.
As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct, are currently being investigated for misconduct, left a position during an investigation for alleged misconduct, or have filed an appeal with a previous employer.
Click for more information on Assembly Bill-810
Click for more information on Senate Bill-791
- “Misconduct” means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant’s previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer.
- UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy: [https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4000385/SVSH]
- UC Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, Students and Third Parties: [https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination]
Job location
See All 480+ Professor Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Professor JobsProfessor Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Professor Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- California State University120
- UC San Diego51
- UC Davis40
- University of California Berkeley39
- University of Southern California36
Top Industries Hiring
- Education37
- Technology & Software9
- Investment & Asset Management9
- Non-Profit & Social Services8
- Healthcare & Medical Services1
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in professor jobs across California.
- Earned doctorate or terminal degree in the relevant discipline from an accredited institution
- Prior teaching experience at the college or university level, including course design
- Active research agenda with a record of peer-reviewed publications or creative works
- Demonstrated commitment to California's diverse student populations and equity-minded pedagogy
- Familiarity with learning management systems such as Canvas, widely used across California campuses
- Ability to serve on department and college governance committees as required by California institutions
Professor Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a professor in California?
Becoming a professor in California typically requires earning a doctoral degree or the recognized terminal degree in your field from an accredited institution. Community college positions may accept a master's degree plus teaching experience. California does not require a state-issued teaching license for college-level faculty, but candidates applying to California State University or University of California campuses must meet each institution's faculty credentialing standards set by the campus Academic Senate.
Which companies hire professors in California?
Companies currently hiring professors in California include California State University, UC San Diego, and UC Davis, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. California's large public university systems, community college districts, and private research institutions collectively represent the broadest and most consistent source of faculty openings in the state.
Which California cities have the most professor jobs?
The cities with the most professor openings in California are San Diego, Los Angeles, and Berkeley. Los Angeles leads because it hosts multiple University of California and California State University campuses alongside dozens of private colleges, while San Francisco and San Diego benefit from major research universities, medical schools, and a dense concentration of professional and graduate programs tied to the technology and life sciences industries.
Are there remote professor jobs in California?
Yes, but they are less common than in purely desk-based fields, since laboratory instruction, clinical supervision, and in-person seminars remain central to many disciplines. About 61% of professor openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, reflecting growth in online programs. Fully remote roles are most common in general education, writing, and asynchronous online degree programs offered by California institutions.
How can I get hired as a professor in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is securing an adjunct or lecturer position at a California community college or Cal State campus, both of which regularly hire candidates with a master's degree and limited prior teaching. Serving as a teaching assistant or postdoctoral fellow at a University of California campus is the standard on-ramp for research-track roles. Building a portfolio of syllabi, student evaluations, and a clear research statement strengthens any application, and candidates from adjacent roles such as industry researcher, clinical practitioner, or curriculum specialist often transition successfully into instructional positions.
Where can I find and apply to professor jobs in California?
You can find and apply to professor jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings updated regularly. Search the listings, find the roles that match your discipline and experience level, and apply directly through the platform.
See All 480+ Professor Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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