Assistant Professor of Anthropology

California State University San Marcos • San Marcos, CA

8h • Onsite

About The Position

The Department of Anthropology at California State University San Marcos invites applications for its first tenure-track Assistant Professor position in Biological Anthropology, anticipated to begin in Fall 2027. The department seeks a teacher-scholar with a terminal degree in Anthropology and a specialty in a subfield of Biological Anthropology. The topical area is open, with a preference for a geographical specialization in the Americas. The successful candidate will strengthen and expand the biological anthropology curriculum, guide the department’s biological anthropology concentration, and complement departmental strengths in archaeology and medical anthropology.

The candidate will teach introductory and upper-division undergraduate courses in biological anthropology, including theoretical, topical, and laboratory-based courses, serving anthropology majors and students across the university. They will develop courses in their areas of expertise and expand interdisciplinary connections across campus. Potential instructional areas include human evolution, human biological variation, biocultural anthropology, bioarchaeology, forensic anthropology, human osteology, and human ecology.

The successful candidate will have an active research agenda, or clear potential to develop one, leading to publications, conference presentations, and external grant funding. The department particularly welcomes candidates interested in involving undergraduates in research, laboratory, field, community-based, or other experiential learning. Faculty are also expected to participate in departmental, college, and university service and contribute to the department’s intellectual and curricular life.

The department is interdisciplinary and collaborative, committed to the holistic study of human biological and cultural diversity through time. It emphasizes applied study that engages students with local communities and connects them to global experiences, and values applied research involving undergraduates. The department values effective teaching, mentorship, and support for students from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Anthropology from an accredited institution of higher education, or ABD with the degree awarded by the hire date.
• Demonstrated potential for effective undergraduate teaching in biological anthropology.
• Commitment to mentoring and supporting undergraduate students.
• Active scholarly research program in biological anthropology, with potential to involve undergraduate students.
• Intercultural competence and commitment to serving the campus community through teaching, research, and/or service.

Nice To Haves

• Strong evidence of effective undergraduate teaching.
• Strong experience mentoring students from diverse educational and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Experience or interest in developing biological anthropology curriculum with laboratory, field-based, community-engaged, or other experiential learning opportunities for undergraduates.
• An active research program with publications in academic venues and/or external funding in the candidate’s field of expertise.
• Active engagement in collaborative work and the ability or desire to build academic programs across faculty, programs, and departments.
• Theoretical and geographic expertise that complements and expands existing faculty strengths, preferably with a geographical specialization in the Americas.
• Record of service to the university, discipline, and/or students.

Responsibilities

• Teach introductory and upper-division undergraduate biological anthropology courses, including theoretical, topical, and lab-based courses.
• Develop courses in areas of expertise and expand interdisciplinary connections across the university.
• Strengthen and expand the department’s biological anthropology curriculum.
• Guide the department’s biological anthropology concentration.
• Maintain or develop an active scholarly research agenda leading to publications, conference presentations, and external grant funding.
• Involve undergraduate students in research, laboratory, field, community-based, or other experiential learning opportunities.
• Participate in departmental, college, and university service and contribute to the department’s intellectual and curricular life.
• Mentor and support undergraduate students.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree