Endowed Gillian Tett Professor of Applied Anthropology

The Department of Anthropology at The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA, invites applications for the endowed Gillian Tett Professor of Applied Anthropology – a full-time tenure-track position at the rank of Associate or Full Professor to start Fall 2027, with flexibility. The Department of Anthropology at Penn State is world-renowned for its basic science leadership in archaeology, biological anthropology, and human ecology.

The Department recently commenced a new Applied Anthropology Initiative, focused on supporting and training researchers who use anthropological methods and perspectives and tools to create impact in arenas outside of academia (e.g., for-profit and non-profit companies, government and international organizations, and the non-academic public). The initiative aims to i) emphasize direct action and practice alongside empirical research, ii) integrate with the existing strengths of our department, and iii) provide faculty and students with the tools necessary to inspire and generate impact.

The Gillian Tett Professor of Applied Anthropology will lead this new initiative. This person will expand our existing basic science strengths and add an expanded focus on external engagement and translational, real-world impact, leveraging their practical experience or experience with applied theory.

A successful candidate will share our above vision for the Applied Anthropology Initiative and be able to:

• Bridge knowledge and theory development with direct, impactful application;
• Embrace empirical, scientific approaches to applied anthropology with integration with archaeology, biological anthropology, and/or human ecology;
• Facilitate engagement in our Applied Anthropology Initiative with core faculty and other faculty and organizations across the University;
• Maintain regular interactions in axes external to academic anthropology, such as corporate, government, development, NGO, community, and other non-academic public arenas;
• Train students for real-world roles across the applied anthropology/organizational landscape;
• Drive forward our vision for additional core faculty hires in applied anthropology and ongoing program development.

This position will also include course instruction as well as normal university service. The teaching load for this position during the academic year is 2:1, and onsite teaching is an essential function of this job. A Ph.D. in Anthropology or a related field is required by the appointment date for both Ranks. Candidates for Associate Professor of Anthropology must have demonstrated excellence as a researcher, scholar, and teacher in anthropology or a relevant field, and have an established reputation in scholarly achievement.

Duties will involve a combination of teaching, research, and service, based on the candidate’s qualifications and the needs of the department. Candidates for Professor of Anthropology must have demonstrated excellence as a researcher, scholar and teacher in anthropology or a relevant field, and demonstrate evidence of a substantial record of advanced research as well as leadership in their field of specialization.

Duties will involve a combination of teaching, research, and service, based on the candidate’s qualifications and the needs of the department.

Interested candidates must submit an online application at Penn State’s Job Posting Board, and should upload the following application materials electronically:

• a letter of interest
• CV or resume
• a two-page research statement describing their future research directions, especially in the context of applied anthropology
• a list of three references with contact information

Inquiries may be directed to the search chair, Laura Weyrich, it our website…