Job Description

Rank: Assistant Professor

Department: Anthropology

Starting Date: Fall 2027

The Department of Anthropology at California State University San Marcos (CSUSM) invites applications for its first tenure-track Assistant Professor position in Biological Anthropology anticipated to begin fall semester 2027. We seek a teacher-scholar with a terminal degree in Anthropology with a specialty in a subfield of Biological Anthropology who will strengthen and expand the department's biological anthropology curriculum, guide the department’s biological anthropology concentration, and complement departmental strengths. Topical area within the subfield of biological anthropology is open with a preference for a geographical specialization in the Americas.

The successful candidate will be prepared to teach introductory and upper-division undergraduate courses (including theoretical, topical, and lab-based) in biological anthropology that serve anthropology majors and students across the university, develop additional courses in their areas of expertise, and expand interdisciplinary connections across the university. Potential areas of instruction may include, but are not limited to, human evolution, human biological variation, biocultural anthropology, bioarcheology, forensic anthropology, human osteology, or human ecology. The candidate will have an active research agenda or clear potential to develop one leading to publications, conference presentations, and external grant funding. We particularly welcome candidates interested in involving undergraduate students in research, laboratory, field, community-based, or other experiential learning opportunities. In addition, affiliated faculty are expected to participate in departmental, college, and university service and the intellectual and curricular life of the department.

About the Department

The CSUSM Department of Anthropology is an interdisciplinary and collaborative department committed to the holistic study of human biological and cultural diversity through time. The department distinguishes itself as an applied course of study that engages students directly with the interests and efforts of local communities while connecting them to global experiences, and we value applied research that includes undergraduate students. The department currently has strengths in archaeology and medical anthropology and seeks a candidate to complement that expertise and broaden its biological anthropology curricular offerings and guide the department's biological anthropology concentration at CSUSM. We value faculty committed to effective teaching, mentorship, and supporting the academic and professional success of students from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. For more information, see the Department webpage.

Minimum Qualifications

Candidates must:

• Hold a Ph.D. in Anthropology, or ABD with degree awarded by hire date, from an accredited institution of higher education.
• Demonstrate potential for effective undergraduate teaching in biological anthropology.
• Demonstrate a commitment to mentoring and supporting undergraduate students.
• An active program of scholarly research in biological anthropology with the potential to involve undergraduate students.
• Demonstrate intercultural competence and a commitment to serving our campus community as it relates to teaching, research and/or service.

Preferred Qualifications

Preference will be given to candidates who demonstrate one or more of the following:

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

Anticipated Hiring Salary Range: $7,438 - $7,667 per month

CSU Classification Salary Range: $6,221- $13,224 per month

Application Materials

Applicants should submit:

1. A cover letter describing their qualifications for the position and explaining how their research and teaching would contribute to biological anthropology at CSUSM.
2. A current Curriculum Vitae.
3. A statement of research interests and future research plans.
4. A statement of teaching philosophy and experience, including courses the candidate would be prepared to teach or develop.
5. Evidence of teaching effectiveness, if available.
6. Names and contact information for three professional references.

Timeline

A review of applications will begin on DEC. 1, 2026; however, the position will be open until filled.

CSUSM is currently not sponsoring applicants for H-1B employment that are subject to the $100,000 fee established by the “Presidential Proclamation: Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers” issued on September 19, 2025. Applicants are responsible for determining the applicability of the fee.

CSUSM has been designated as a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) and was recently named one of the top 32 Colleges most friendly to junior faculty by the Collaborative on Academic Careers in Higher Education. Visit Faculty Opportunities for more information.

California State University San Marcos is an Equal Opportunity Employer strongly committed to promoting diversity in all areas of the campus community.  We consider qualified applicants for employment without regard to age, physical or mental disability, gender or sex, genetic information, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, medical condition, nationality, race or ethnicity, religion or religious creed, sexual orientation and veteran or military status.

Per the California State University’s Out-of-State Employment Policy, the CSU is prohibited from hiring employees to perform CSU-related work outside California. Working in the State of California is a condition of employment. 

The person holding this position is considered a mandated reporter under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.

This position is subject to employment verification, education verification, reference checks and criminal record checks. An offer of appointment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check, including a criminal records check, and may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information.  Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current CSU employee who was conditionally offered the position.

Education Code 89521 Requirements: Applicants will be required to disclose whether they have received a final administrative decision or final judicial decision determining that they have committed sexual harassment within the last 7 years only after a determination is made that they meet the minimum qualifications for the position, and before an offer of employment is extended. Applicants who reach the final stages of the application process must also sign a release form that authorizes the release of information by the applicant’s current and/or former employers to the CSU concerning any substantiated allegations of misconduct.

The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act or Clery Act Notification can be found at Clery Act Notification.

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