Assistant Professor in Evolutionary/Biological Anthropology (position 543649)

Submitted: 02/06/2025
Submitted By: Elizabeth Pillsworth
Department: Anthropology
Institution: California State University at Fullerton
Job type: Full time
Apply by: 03/29/2025
Application Email:
Application URL: http://hr.fullerton.edu/careers/Faculty.php

The Evolutionary Anthropology Program, in the Division of Anthropology at California State University, Fullerton, invites applications for a tenure‐track Assistant Professor position in Evolutionary Anthropology with a specialization in Native American studies with an appointment to begin in the Fall 2025 semester. We seek to hire an Assistant Professor in evolutionary/biological anthropology, with a strong background and expertise in Native American studies and Indigenous knowledge, and a research focus in one or more of the following areas: health and development, food sovereignty, genomics, data sovereignty, reproduction, demography, evolutionary anatomy or forensic anthropology, and/or gender and sexuality.

CSUF faculty are committed teacher-scholars who bring research and creative discovery to life for students in classrooms, labs, studios, and individually mentored projects. They teach broadly in the curricula of their departments, advise students, and serve on departmental and university-wide committees. The primary responsibilities of the person in this position will include the development and teaching of introductory and core courses in the discipline and the development of courses in their area(s) of specialization. All faculty members in the Evolutionary Anthropology Program are expected to be able to teach the following undergraduate courses (which include both GE and Major-specific classes): Introduction to Anthropology, Introduction to Biological Anthropology, History of Anthropology, and Contemporary Anthropology. The successful candidate will also be expected to be able to teach the graduate-level core course, Theory and Methods in Evolutionary Anthropology, and a graduate-level “Current Topics” seminar appropriate to their own area of research. Other existing courses that the person in this position may teach include Non-Western Cultures and the Western Tradition, Culture and Nutrition, Human Variation, Anthropology of Sex and Gender, Anthropology of Childhood, Anthropology and Health, Human Evolutionary Anatomy, Sex, Evolution, and Human Nature, and Research Design in Anthropology (graduate course). Developed courses, or specific plans to develop courses, in the candidate’s area of expertise are strongly preferred.

In addition to teaching, the person in this position will be expected to contribute to and participate in the life and development of the department, advise students, oversee student research at the undergraduate and/or graduate level, mentor MA students, serve on MA Thesis and other Program, College, or University committees, and participate in the broader university and disciplinary communities. The successful candidate will demonstrate a commitment to ongoing engagement in professional activities and research and will be responsible for producing scholarship commensurate with the requirements for tenure.

Required Qualifications:
– A PhD in anthropology, or closely related academic field, from an accredited institution, with an emphasis in biological/evolutionary anthropology
– Expertise in Native American studies or Indigenous knowledge, and a demonstrated interest in or experience with working with Native American and/or Indigenous communities
– A demonstrated commitment to teaching excellence and advising for undergraduate and graduate students, and the capacity to develop and teach a range of courses
– Potential for long-term research productivity in peer-reviewed publications, scholarly engagement, grants, and/or community-engaged research
– Applicants should demonstrate an awareness of and sensitivity to the educational goals of a socially and economically diverse student population as might have been gained in cross-cultural study, training, teaching, and other comparable experience
– Expertise or experience in one or more of the following research areas: health and development, food sovereignty, genomics, data sovereignty, reproduction, demography, evolutionary anatomy or forensic anthropology, and/or gender and sexuality

Preferred Qualifications:
– The ability to use anthropological knowledge and skills to address real-world problems in and between organizations, communities, and networks
– Demonstrated interest in or experience with developing practice-oriented projects at local, regional, or global levels of organization that potentially involve students
– Demonstrated research productivity in the form of peer-reviewed publications
– Experience or expertise in online teaching, remote learning, and high-impact educational strategies
– The ability to develop opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration across different departments and colleges
– The ability to develop opportunities for students to participate in community engagement, community-based research, or collaborations with local community organizations

Key Responsibilities (Required for Retention, Tenure, and Promotion):
– Develop and teach appropriate undergraduate and graduate courses, including general education courses
– Initiate local, regional, or global projects that potentially involve undergraduate or graduate students
– Provide academic advising for undergraduate students in Anthropology
– Supervise and advise graduate students in evolutionary anthropology and participate fully as a member of the graduate faculty
– Maintain an active research program as manifested in publications, professional presentations, community-engaged research, and creative activities in support of tenure and promotion
– Participate in shared governance, such as in department, college, and university committees and other service assignments.
– Organize classes within the campus learning management system (LMS; currently Canvas).
– Demonstrate awareness and understanding of the needs of a student population of great diversity in age, abilities, cultural background, ethnicity, religion, economic background, primary language, sexual orientation, gender identity, and academic preparation through inclusive course materials, teaching strategies, and advisement.

Application
A complete online application must be received by electronic submission to be considered. To apply, please visit http://hr.fullerton.edu/careers/Faculty.php, choose full-time faculty, search for the position 543649, and provide the following required materials:
– Cover letter in which you respond to the required qualifications
– Curriculum vitae
– Research statement
– Teaching statement
– Teaching evaluations, if available
– A list of three references with relevant contact information
– Candidate statement on commitment to inclusive excellence

This statement provides the candidate’s unique perspective on their past and present contributions to and future aspirations for promoting diversity, inclusion, and social justice in their professional careers. This statement aims to help the department identify candidates with professional experience, intellectual commitments, and/or willingness to engage in activities that could help CSUF contribute to its mission in these areas. The statement shall address one or more of the following criteria:
– The candidate has acquired knowledge of barriers for underrepresented students and faculty in higher education.
– The candidate has experience in and is committed to engaging in service with underrepresented populations in higher education.
– The candidate has experience in and is committed to teaching and/or mentoring underrepresented students in a higher education environment.
– The candidate has experience integrating underrepresented populations and communities into scholarly and creative activities.

Semi-Finalists must submit three letters of recommendation. Please have these ready for the referents to submit. On the References page of the online application, enter information and email addresses for three referents who will provide a confidential letter of reference for your application. At the appropriate time in the search process, they will receive a request via email along with information on uploading the letter. You can verify that CSUF has received each letter by logging back into your applicant portal.

Please direct all questions about the position to: Elizabeth Pillsworth at epillsworth@fullerton.edu or call 657‐278‐5603.

Application Deadline

To be assured full consideration, all application materials must be received by March 30, 2024. The anticipated appointment date is August 15, 2025.