Assistant Professor, Archaeology

Internal•Bellingham, WA

25d

About The Position

The Department of Anthropology invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track Assistant Professor position in Archaeology, to begin in September 2026. The ideal candidate will have a Ph.D. or ABD at the time of application and will have a strong foundation in the archaeology of western North America, with a preference for Pacific Northwest (including the Salish Sea, Northwest Coast, and/or the Columbia and Fraser Plateau regions). The methodological specialty within archaeology is open. The Department is committed to maintaining a strong four fields approach to teaching and scholarship. The ideal candidate is an Archaeologist whose research builds upon the department’s existing strengths in collaborative and inclusive archaeology, research that focuses on community engagement with implications for education, heritage management, and repatriation. We are especially interested in candidates with a track record in developing programs in partnership with descendant communities and that implement archaeological methods to address issues that are relevant to those outside the field. The Department of Anthropology is dedicated to the implementation of archaeology to address issues affecting local communities and populations, incorporating experiential learning, collaborative research, and local/regional partnerships. The successful candidate will contribute to these areas and demonstrate how their active field or laboratory research program in archaeology could involve both undergraduate and graduate students. Teaching responsibilities include Introduction to Archaeology, Archaeological Methods and Theory, Cultural Resource Management, Lab Methods in Archaeology, and courses developed in their own specialty. The Department of Anthropology is committed to advancing diversity in all areas of faculty effort, including scholarship, instruction, and engagement. The successful candidate will be expected to fulfill teaching and mentoring responsibilities that provide equitable and inclusive learning environments for all students. Candidates should address at least one of the topical areas outlined above in their cover letter, indicating how their past experiences, current interests and activities, and/or future goals would promote a learning environment that values and supports inclusion. The successful candidate will build and maintain a research program involving both undergraduate and graduate students and will collaborate with researchers in and beyond the department and program.

Requirements

Ph.D. or ABD at time of application in Anthropological Archaeology or related field. If ABD, all degree requirements must be completed by June 15 th of the first year of employment (e.g., June 15, 2027).
Evidence of the ability to develop and sustain an externally funded research program
Teaching experience with a demonstrated ability to create an active and effective learning environment in university-level courses in Archaeology/Anthropology
Demonstrated ability and commitment to cultivating learning environments that are equitable and inclusive of students with diverse social identities and backgrounds

Nice To Haves

Experience in, and commitment to, community-based and collaborative archaeological practice, including work conducted in partnership with descendant communities
Archaeological research experience in the Pacific Northwest, including the Northwest Coast, Salish Sea, and/or the Columbia and Fraser Plateau regions
Expertise in lithics, zooarchaeology, ethnobotany, geophysics, or geoarchaeology, with the ability to set up and manage labs/comparative collections
Interest and expertise in archaeological ethics, repatriation, and cultural Patrimony
Interest and ability to mentor and support the success of graduate students
Post-doctoral research or relevant professional experience

Responsibilities

Teaching responsibilities include Introduction to Archaeology, Archaeological Methods and Theory, Cultural Resource Management, Lab Methods in Archaeology, and courses developed in their own specialty.
Fulfill teaching and mentoring responsibilities that provide equitable and inclusive learning environments for all students.
Build and maintain a research program involving both undergraduate and graduate students
Collaborate with researchers in and beyond the department and program.