Postdoctoral Scholar in Bioarchaeology and NAGPRA Fellow

Submitted: 10/09/2024
Submitted By: Thad Bartlett
Department: Anthropology
Institution: The University of Texas at San Antonio
Job type: Postdoc
Apply by: 11/24/2024
Application Email:
Application URL: https://zahr-prd-candidate-ada.utshare.utsystem.edu/psc/ZAHRPRDADA/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM_FL.HRS_CG_SEARCH_FL.GBL?Page=HRS_APP_JBPST_FL&Action=U&FOCUS=Applicant&SiteId=21&JobOpeningId=12589&PostingSeq=1

The University of Texas at San Antonio is a Tier One research university and a Hispanic Serving Institution specializing in cybersecurity, health, fundamental futures, and social-economic transformation. With more than 35,000 students, it is the largest university in the San Antonio region. UTSA advances knowledge through research and discovery, teaching and learning, community engagement and public service, and with an intentional focus on career readiness the university produces more graduates for the workforce than any other institution in the region. It is a catalyst for socioeconomic development and the commercialization of intellectual property — for Texas, the nation and the world. UTSA has been recognized as a Top Employer in Texas by Forbes Magazine. Learn more online, on UTSA Today or on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, Facebook, YouTube or LinkedIn.

In 2024, the UT System Board of Regents authorized UT System to begin integrating UTSA and the UT Health Science Center at San Antonio into one unified institution, establishing a world-class university that integrates academic, research, and clinical excellence to build a profoundly impactful university of the future. Driven by a vision for growth and impact, this merger will expand capacity to offer robust undergraduate and graduate programs, attract top-tier faculty and staff, develop innovative initiatives, and elevate transdisciplinary research to address the evolving needs of the region.

Posting End Date: Applications will be accepted through 11:59 PM CDT on 11/24/2024. At the discretion of the hiring department, this position posting may close once a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received.
Salary Range: $56,500 annualized, commensurate with education, experience and qualifications.
Hours: up to 40 hours per week, exempt.

Required Application Materials:
• Curriculum vitae
• Letter of application describing research, teaching, and service accomplishments and goals.
• Up to three representative publications.
• Teaching evaluations if available.
• Contact information (name, email, and phone number) for three references.

Job Summary

The Department of Anthropology and the Center for Archaeological Research (CAR) at The University of Texas at San Antonio are committed to collaborative engagement with Native American tribes in the thorough and comprehensive implementation of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA). To that end, we seek to hire a bioarchaeologist as a postdoctoral fellow to oversee CAR’s NAGPRA efforts for two years.

CAR is an active contract archaeology facility, a state-accredited collections repository, and important liaison with the local community in matters of cultural heritage (http://car.utsa.edu/index.html). CAR’s 12,500-square foot facility houses labs, offices, a classroom, and curation space with over 15 million items from the Pre-Columbian, colonial, and historic periods. CAR has close ties to the Department of Anthropology, whose 17 full-time faculty members undertake research in archaeology, biological anthropology, and cultural anthropology around the globe. The department offers BA, MA, and PhD degrees, the latter focused broadly around environmental anthropology.

This position is part of UTSA’s Bridge to Faculty (BTF) program (BTF Program), which provides a pathway for postdoctoral fellows to enter the tenure-track after two years. BTF fellows receive professional development and mentoring to advance their research agenda, as well as mentoring and training in teaching, including experiential learning and online pedagogy. The fellow and the department chair set explicit annual milestones for the two years of BTF, with the expectation that the postdoctoral fellow will progress into a tenure-track faculty appointment in the Department of Anthropology at the conclusion of the program. The Core Responsibilities below pertain only to the two-year period of postdoctoral fellowship. The start date is August 1, 2025, but an earlier start date can be negotiated.

Core Responsibilities
1. Lead CAR’s NAGPRA Efforts: Oversee and coordinate all activities related to the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) within CAR.
2. Inventory and Analyze Human Remains: Conduct thorough inventory and detailed analysis of human remains housed in CAR’s collections.
3. Inventory Objects Associated with Funerary Contexts: Catalog and examine objects that are associated with funerary contexts within the collections.
4. Determine Cultural Affiliation: Research and identify the cultural affiliation of human remains and associated objects to ensure accurate classification.
5. Consult with Native American Tribes: Engage in meaningful consultations with the appropriate Native American tribes to discuss findings and next steps.
6. Submit Inventory to the National Park Service: Prepare and submit detailed inventory reports to the National Park Service as required by NAGPRA regulations.
7. Work with Tribes for Repatriation: Collaborate with Native American tribes to facilitate the repatriation of human remains and associated objects.
8. Pursue Independent Research: Develop and conduct independent research projects that align with the fellow’s academic interests and expertise.
9. Supervise Undergraduate Interns: Mentor and oversee undergraduate interns working at CAR, providing guidance and support in their academic and professional development.
10. Teach Relevant Courses: Teach one course each semester that is relevant to the fellow’s area of expertise, contributing to the department’s teaching mission.
11. Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications
• PhD in Anthropology or a closely related field at the time of appointment.
• At least three (3) years of experience in identification, care, and analysis of human osteological collections; and an active research agenda.
• Please refer to the HOP for additional requirements and criteria specific to this title: http://www.utsa.edu/hop/chapter9/9-32.html; section J.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.

Preferred Qualifications
• Record of research, teaching, and service appropriate to time-since degree.
• Demonstrated interest and experience in collaborative and/or transdisciplinary research.
• Desire and ability to contribute to PhD, MA, and BA programs in Anthropology.
• Commitment to educate and mentor students from a broad urban population.
• Commitment to collaborative engagement and the ability to build relationships with representatives of Native American stakeholders.
• Knowledge of NAGPRA regulations for repatriation and consultation with Federally Recognized Tribes.
• Knowledge of or willingness to learn Texas history and archaeology.

Additional Information
• UTSA is a tobacco free campus.
• This is a security sensitive position. Employment is contingent upon a successful background check.
• Applicants selected must be able to show proof of eligibility to work in the United States by time of hire.
• Valid driver’s license and Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) as applicable.

Working Conditions
• Usual laboratory and office conditions.
• Ability to travel to and from field sites, meetings, training sessions, or other business-related events.
• Occasional after-hours and weekend work or overtime may be required.

Physical Demands:
• Sedentary work; sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required, only occasionally.
• Some field work may be required.
• Exerts up to 10 lbs. of force occasionally.

This position will be primarily located on campus. Travel and parking expenses are the employee’s responsibility.
Equal Employment Opportunity

As an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer, it is the policy of The University of Texas at San Antonio to promote and ensure equal employment opportunity for all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability or genetic information, and veteran status. The University is committed to the Affirmative Action Program in compliance with all government requirements to ensure nondiscrimination. Women, minorities, people with disabilities and veterans are encouraged to apply. UTSA campuses are accessible to persons with disabilities.