Assistant Professor of Anthropology

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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:

• A cover letter describing their qualifications for the position

and explaining how their research and teaching would contribute to
biological anthropology at CSUSM.

• A current Curriculum Vitae.
• A statement of research interests and future research

plans.

• A statement of teaching philosophy and experience, including

courses the candidate would be prepared to teach or develop.

• Evidence of teaching effectiveness, if available.
• 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
.

Advertised: Pacific Daylight Time

Advertised: October 20, 2026 (2:00 PM) Pacific Daylight
Time

Applications close: