Director, Center Archaeological Investigations

Carbondale•Carbondale, IL

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Director of the Center for Archaeological Investigations (CAI) provides overall leadership for one of Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s most productive and externally visible research units. The CAI is a cultural resource management–focused research center conducting archaeological work, curation, and compliance reporting across the Midwest and Southeastern United States. The Director serves as the Principal Investigator (PI) on most externally funded CRM and research projects, oversees all fiscal and compliance matters, and provides strategic leadership in developing new contracts, partnerships, and funding streams. Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience, while also considering internal equity.

Requirements

Ph.D. in Anthropology with a specialization in Bioarchaeology, Archaeology, or a closely related field.
At least ten years of professional experience in Cultural Resource Management archaeology.
A minimum of five years as a Principal Investigator on federal or state projects.
Demonstrated strong record of securing and managing external research funding.
Eligibility for Principal Investigator status under SIU’s OSPA policy.
Experience managing archaeological curation repositories in compliance with NAGPRA and 36 CFR Part 79.
Familiarity with the archaeology of Illinois, the Midwest, and the Southeastern United States.
Experience supervising teams, mentoring students, and serving on graduate committees.

Responsibilities

Manages all phases of cultural resource management projects, from proposal development through fieldwork, analysis, and reporting.
Serves as PI on federal, state, and private CRM contracts and ensuring compliance with Section 106, NEPA, NAGPRA, and 36 CFR Part 79.
Develops and maintains relationships with clients such as the U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, and private industry partners.
Leads multi-year partnerships that integrate compliance archaeology with academic research and student training and ensures timely preparation of technical reports and deliverables.
Oversees an externally funded portfolio that typically exceeds one million dollars annually and serves as fiscal officer for all Center accounts, including state, grant, and foundation funds.
Manages federal cost-share obligations, including use of the Director’s salary as the institutional match, and plans for sustainable growth by expanding CAI’s client base and external funding opportunities.
Supervises six full-time professional staff, two graduate assistants, four temporary employees, undergraduate student workers, and four interns.
Provides leadership and professional development for staff and mentoring for students involved in applied archaeology and compliance projects.
Oversees management of CAI’s federally compliant curation repository, which houses more than 9,100 boxes of artifacts and 850 linear feet of documentation.
Ensures all curation operations meet 36 CFR Part 79 and NAGPRA requirements, coordinates consultation and repatriation through SIU’s NAGPRA Program, and ensures ethical and legal stewardship of human remains and cultural items.
Maintains active research and publication in the archaeology of the Midwest and Southeastern United States, particularly Illinois and adjacent regions.
Serves as a regional expert and contact for federal, state, tribal, and local agencies on archaeological and cultural resource issues.
Represents the University and CAI at professional meetings, conferences, and public events.
Supports academic collaboration and outreach programs that provide experiential learning opportunities preparing students for careers in cultural resource management.