Visiting Assistant Professor, Biological Anthropology

Internal•Bellingham, WA

1d•$1,178 - $1,400•Onsite

About The Position

The Department of Anthropology at Western Washington University invites applications for two full-time, non-tenure track Visiting Assistant Professor positions in Biological Anthropology, beginning September 2026. The ideal candidates will possess a Ph.D. at the time of application and have substantial research and teaching experience in human evolution, human anatomy and osteology, reproductive health, and quantitative methods. The department seeks candidates whose research complements existing strengths in the primate fossil record and the evolution of life history. Particular interest lies in candidates with a demonstrated ability to offer hands-on, personalized research and educational experiences for students interested in health sciences. The department is committed to applying anthropological knowledge to address human health issues, utilizing collaborative research and an evolutionary biology framework. Successful candidates will integrate their health and evolution-focused research into the curriculum. Teaching responsibilities include courses such as Reproduction and Physiology, Human Osteology and Forensics, Quantitative Methods, Human Origins, Human Evolution, and advanced writing seminars in their research areas. The positions require a commitment to fulfilling teaching and mentoring responsibilities that foster equitable and inclusive learning environments for all students. Candidates should address at least one of the specified topical areas in their cover letter, detailing how their past experiences, current interests, and future goals can contribute to a work environment that values and supports inclusion.

Requirements

PhD in Anthropology or related field
Evidence of ability to teach diverse set of courses in biological anthropology, especially Reproduction and Physiology, Human Osteology and Forensics, Quantitative Methods, Human Origins, Human Evolution, and advanced writing seminars in the area of the applicants’ research.
Evidence of a research program in human evolution, human anatomy and osteology, reproductive health, and quantitative methods.
Evidence of the ability to provide hands-on, personalized research and educational experiences for students interested in health sciences.
Evidence of the ability to integrate their health and evolution-oriented research program into the curriculum.
Evidence of the ability to mentor undergraduate and graduate students in research and professional development.
Evidence of ability to work with students from diverse backgrounds.
Evidence of ability to provide equitable teaching and learning environments for students.
Comply with Immunization policies, including Proof of Rubeola Measles Immunity within 60-days of hire.
Comply with the immunization policy and show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Service before beginning work at WWU.
Pass a thorough background check, which includes a sexual misconduct background check.

Nice To Haves

Postdoctoral experience in Anthropology or related field
Evidence of ability to acquire internal and external research funding.
Experience working with the primate fossil record
Experience with/dedication to reproducible statistical workflows (e.g., GitHub repositories and general R code sharing), open-source data repositories (e.g., 3D scans, landmark data, etc), and increasing accessibility via 3D digital/statistical analysis.

Responsibilities

Teach a diverse set of courses in biological anthropology, especially Reproduction and Physiology, Human Osteology and Forensics, Quantitative Methods, Human Origins, Human Evolution, and advanced writing seminars in the area of the applicants’ research.
Provide hands-on, personalized research and educational experiences for students interested in health sciences.
Integrate health and evolution-oriented research program into the curriculum.
Mentor undergraduate and graduate students in research and professional development.
Provide equitable teaching and learning environments for students.
Contribute to the department’s implementation of anthropology to address issues affecting human health.
Engage with primate skeletal collections at WWU, utilizing them in research and teaching.
Engage with technological resources available to Anthropology, including micro-CT scanners, structured light scanners, 3D printers, and other resources.
Contribute to a work climate that values and supports inclusion.