Assistant Professor, Biological Anthropology

The Department of Anthropology invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track Assistant Professor position in Biological Anthropology, to begin in September 2023. The candidate will have a Ph.D. at the time of application and will have a strong foundation in both anthropological and modern evolutionary theory. Specialty within biological anthropology is open. The Department is committed to maintaining a strong four fields approach to teaching and scholarship.

We seek to add a Biological Anthropologist whose research contextualizes the study of human variation within the broader primate and mammalian evolutionary record. We are looking to recruit a candidate with teaching experience as instructor of record, prepared to teach introductory courses as well as upper division courses such as Ecology of Human Variation, Human Nutrition, Human Osteology, Genetics and Epigenetics or Human Evolution. The successful candidate will develop and teach upper division courses in their area of research specialty.

The BioAnth program at Western offers a BioCultural Concentration BA, an Anthropology/Biology BA, and an Anthropology/Biology BS and participates in the Department’s MA program. Both undergraduate and graduate students engage in research at Western and candidates for this position should address their philosophy and experience in providing students with research experience. The successful candidate will be expected to include both undergraduate and graduate students in their research program.

The Department of Anthropology is committed to advancing diversity in all areas of faculty effort, including scholarship, instruction, and engagement. The successful candidate will be expected to fulfill teaching and mentoring responsibilities that provide equitable and inclusive learning environments for all students. Candidates should address at least one of the topical areas outlined above in their cover letter, indicating how their past experiences, current interests and activities, and/or future goals could promote a work climate that values and supports inclusion.

Required Qualifications:

• PhD (by time of application) in Biological or Biocultural Anthropology or closely related field
• Evidence of teaching experience, as lead instructor, in either introductory or upper division courses
• Demonstrated ability to create an active and effective learning environment teaching university level courses in Biological/BioCultural Anthropology
• Evidence of research that contextualizes study of human variation within the broader primate and mammalian evolutionary record
• Evidence of active field and/or lab research with the potential to involve WWU students.
• Ability to articulate potential collaborations with other faculty in the Department
• Ability to articulate goals for decolonization in Biological Anthropology teaching and research
• Demonstrated ability and commitment to cultivating learning environments that are equitable and inclusive of students with diverse social identities and backgrounds

Preferred Qualifications:

• Postdoctoral experience in Anthropology or closely related field
• Experience involving students in research
• Evidence of ability to establish field site where students can be trained in Biological Anthropology methods
• Clear evidence of the ability to obtain external funding for research
• Record of peer-reviewed publications
• Contributions to diversity, equity, inclusion and justice in Biological Anthropology

$66,000-$69,000 commensurate with experience and qualifications, including an excellent benefits package. In addition WWU offers internal research, publication and course development funding, and yearly travel/professional development funding. Relocation assistance maybe available per university guidelines. Salary and start-up funds are to be determined upon being offered the position.

Please see WWU employment page for application details and instructions: 

https://hr.wwu.edu/careers-faculty?job=500282