The School of Human Evolution and Social Change (SHESC) ( https://shesc.asu.edu) at Arizona State University (ASU) invites applications for an Associate or Full Professor to expand its program in human origins. This is a full-time, benefits-eligible, academic-year (9-month), tenure-track/tenured faculty, in-person position housed in SHESC. We seek a scholar with demonstrated expertise in the study of the human fossil record – through fieldwork, laboratory work, or a combination of both – whose research addresses fundamental questions in hominin paleobiology. In particular, we seek a specialist whose research incorporates cutting-edge approaches in paleoanthropology, including but not limited to functional morphology, and/or early hominin developmental biology. The successful candidate will contribute to SHESC’s research, teaching, and graduate training missions while collaborating extensively with ASU’s Institute of Human Origins (IHO) ( https://iho.asu.edu/). The candidate will hold an affiliated research appointment in IHO and will build on the longstanding strengths and global leadership of SHESC and IHO in scholarship, student training, and public outreach related to human origins research. The anticipated start date is August 16, 2027.
About the School of Human Evolution and Social Change
The School of Human Evolution and Social Change is recognized for its leadership in innovative, student-centered education. Home to one of the nation’s top-ranked anthropology programs, the school houses a large, transdisciplinary faculty, with anthropology at its core alongside scholars from related fields. Our teaching and scholarship emphasize long-term, comparative, and holistic perspectives on humanity—helping students understand and address complex global challenges.
SHESC offers a dynamic, collegial, and vibrant work environment shaped by the pace of educational innovation, the breadth of our academic programs, and a strong culture of collaboration. SHESC is the largest social science unit in The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences—ASU’s largest college—and serves over 950 undergraduate majors, of which 600 are online students, and >150 graduate students. Our commitment to engaged, hands-on learning is reflected in the range of teaching experiences we offer, including in-person instruction, asynchronous online education, study abroad programs, field schools, and research apprenticeship opportunities. For complete information, visit http://shesc.asu.edu/
About the Institute of Human Origins
The Institute of Human Origins (IHO) is a research center in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences that pursues an integrative and transdisciplinary strategy for research and discovery, bridging anthropological, earth, and life science approaches to the most important questions related to human uniqueness and the causes and timing of key events over the course of human origins and evolution. It fosters public awareness of human evolution and its relevance to contemporary society through innovative outreach programs that create timely and accurate information for both education and the general public. IHO is one of the preeminent research programs at ASU and has achieved an international reputation through the science it conducts, the public outreach that it accomplishes, and the education of undergraduate and graduate students. IHO is located on ASU’s Tempe campus within the greater Phoenix metropolitan area.
About The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences is the academic heart of Arizona State University, committed to improving communities on a local, national and global scale. We support the professional development and growth of our faculty and staff in their cutting-edge research to advance these aims. Within The College, our faculty engage with a large curious student body, guiding them as they grow into socially aware, critical thinkers and writers able to succeed in a wide range of careers and to address the challenges of the twenty-first century. Advancing the success of our students remains our top priority. To learn more about The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, please visit https://thecollege.asu.edu
About Arizona State University
ASU exemplifies a new prototype for the American public research university. As articulated in the ASU Charter, ASU is a comprehensive public research university, measured not by whom it excludes, but by whom it includes and how they succeed; advancing research and discovery of public value; and assuming fundamental responsibility for the economic, social, cultural and overall health of the communities it serves.
Essential Functions
Required Qualifications:
Desired Qualifications:
The application deadline is September 2, 2026. Applications will continue to be accepted on a rolling basis for a reserve pool. Applications in the reserve pool may then be reviewed in the order in which they were received until the position is filled. Candidates will be asked to create or use an existing Interfolio Dossier to submit the following application materials:
Cover letters can be addressed to Professor Gary Schwartz, Paleoanthropology Search Committee Chair. Questions about the position should be directed to the search committee chair at garys.iho@asu.edu
A background check is required for employment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other basis protected by law.
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