Assistant Professor Position - Anthropology Department

Assistant Professor Position - Anthropology Department

Apply now Job no: 555568
Work type: Instructional Faculty – Tenured/Tenure-Track
Location: Chico
Categories: Unit 3 - CFA - California Faculty Association, Faculty - Behavioral Sciences, Faculty - Social Sciences, Tenured/Tenure-Track, Full Time

California State University (CSU), Chico is a comprehensive and residential public university, holding Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) designation. Chico State operates as part of the 22-campus CSU system, which educates the most ethnically, economically, and academically diverse student body in the nation. The University enrolls over 14,000 students, with over half identifying as first-generation college students.

Chico State is committed to recruiting outstanding candidates. The ideal candidate will embrace our values predicated on the primacy of student success and the elimination of equity gaps, have demonstrated experience working with diverse populations, and will contribute to policies, programs, and practices that support an inclusive, accessible, and equitable learning and working environment.

The Position: Assistant Tenure-Track Professor

Position Starts: Fall 2026

College: Behavioral and Social Sciences

Salary: Salary commensurate with education and experience. (Anticipated hiring range: $89,772 - $91,284 per year).

Initial Review Date: 04/02/2026; complete applications received after that date may be considered.

Minimum Qualifications:

The minimum education requirement for appointment to this position is a Ph.D. (by time of appointment) in Anthropology with specialization in biological anthropology. Research grounded in forensic anthropology with a history of grant writing and success in acquiring external funding. College teaching experience and a strong record of professional and scholarly activities and expertise complementing those of current faculty. At least 5 years of experience in a medico-legal setting, such as a medical examiner office or forensic anthropology lab.

Involvement in forensic anthropology case work and progress toward ABFA board certification.

Responsibilities:

The primary responsibilities of this tenure-track position involve supervision of the Chico State Human Identification Lab including maintaining law enforcement contracts, chain of custody, and curation of human remains that are part of active law enforcement cases, casework, and field recovery of human remains. Ensuring confidentiality and security for each case. Participation in forensic anthropological laboratory analyses and field responses, including scheduling and coordinating lab teams for search and recovery efforts for law enforcement agencies.

Coordination of these efforts occurs during regularly scheduled work week hours but also includes weekends, evenings, and holidays.

Additionally, the successful candidate carries responsibilities in the areas of teaching, scholarship, and service. The candidate is expected to intermittently teach general education courses and major courses in Anthropology at the undergraduate level as well as teach graduate level seminars and serve on MA thesis committees, as well as department and university-level committees, as deemed appropriate. Teaching assignments are based on qualifications of the individual and the needs of the department.

The candidate will also collaborate with current faculty on developing training programs for first responders and law enforcement, as well as participate in curriculum development and public outreach.

The successful candidate should demonstrate commitment to and/or experience promoting and fostering a learning environment that is supportive of individuals from diverse backgrounds.

How to Apply:

Applicants must provide a current cover letter (including how you have addressed, or plan to address, teaching to diverse student groups), a CV, and contact information of three professional references. Additional information may be requested at a later time. All applicants must apply online; applications submitted via email or in-person to the department will not be considered.

The Department:

The Anthropology Department adheres to the four-field…