Assistant Professor Position - Anthropology Department

Position

Assistant Tenure-Track Professor – Anthropology, Behavioral and Social Sciences, California State University, Chico. Position starts Fall 2026.

College:
Behavioral and Social Sciences

Department:
Anthropology

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

04/02/2026; applications received after that date may be considered.

• 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.
• 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.

• Supervise the Chico State Human Identification Lab, including maintaining law‑enforcement contracts, chain of custody, and curation of human remains involved in active cases, casework, and field recovery.
• Ensure confidentiality and security for each case.
• Participate in forensic anthropological laboratory analyses and field responses, scheduling and coordinating lab teams for search and recovery efforts for law‑enforcement agencies during regular work hours and on weekends, evenings, and holidays.
• Teach general‑education courses and major courses in Anthropology at undergraduate level, graduate‑level seminars, and serve on MA thesis committees.
• Serve on departmental and university‑level committees as appropriate.
• Collaborate with current faculty on developing training programs for first responders and law‑enforcement, participate in curriculum development and public outreach.
• Demonstrate commitment to fostering a learning environment supportive of diverse backgrounds.

Applicants must submit a current cover letter addressing teaching to diverse student groups, a CV, and contact information for three professional references online. All other methods of submission will not be considered.

Qualifications for tuition fee waiver (if eligible) and other California State University benefits (sick leave, vacation, health insurance).

California State University, Chico is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants are considered without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, medical condition, disability, marital status, or protected veteran status and only individuals authorized to work in the U.S. are employed.