Assistant Professor of Anthropology

CSU Careers • San Marcos, CA

19h • 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 department’s biological anthropology curriculum, guide its biological anthropology concentration, and complement existing departmental strengths.

The candidate will teach introductory and upper-division undergraduate courses, including theoretical, topical, and lab-based courses, serving anthropology majors and students across the university. They will develop courses in their area of expertise and expand interdisciplinary connections across the university. Possible instructional areas include human evolution, human biological variation, biocultural anthropology, bioarchaeology, forensic anthropology, human osteology, and human ecology. The candidate will maintain or develop an active research agenda with potential for publications, conference presentations, and external grant funding. The department particularly welcomes candidates who involve undergraduates in research, laboratory, field, community-based, or other experiential learning opportunities. Faculty also participate in departmental, college, and university service and in the department’s intellectual and curricular life.

The CSUSM Department of Anthropology is interdisciplinary and collaborative, focused on 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 has strengths in archaeology and medical anthropology and seeks to complement that expertise while broadening biological anthropology offerings. It values effective teaching, mentorship, and support for students from varied backgrounds and experiences.

The anticipated hiring salary range is $7,438–$7,667 per month; the CSU classification salary range is $6,221–$13,224 per month. Applications should include a cover letter, current CV, research statement, teaching statement with relevant courses, evidence of teaching effectiveness if available, and contact information for three professional references. Review begins December 1, 2026, and the position remains open until filled. The position is based in California; working in California is a condition of employment. Employment is contingent on successful background checks and other stated verifications.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Anthropology, or ABD with the degree awarded by the hire date, from an accredited institution of higher education.
• Specialty in a subfield of Biological Anthropology.
• Demonstrated potential for effective undergraduate teaching in biological anthropology.
• Commitment to mentoring and supporting undergraduate students.
• Active program of scholarly research 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.
• Active research program demonstrated by publication in academic venues and/or external funding.
• Engagement in collaborative work and ability or desire to build academic programs across university faculty, programs, and departments.
• Theoretical and geographic expertise that complements and expands existing faculty strengths; geographical specialization in the Americas is preferred.
• 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 additional courses in the candidate’s areas of expertise.
• Strengthen and expand the department’s biological anthropology curriculum and guide its biological anthropology concentration.
• Expand interdisciplinary connections across the university.
• Maintain or develop an active 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 in the department’s intellectual and curricular life.
• Mentor and support undergraduate students.

What This Job Offers

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