Assistant Professor Position - Anthropology Department

About the role

The Assistant Tenure-Track Professor position in the Department of Anthropology at California State University, Chico starts in the Fall of 2026. The position is part of the 22-campus California State University system, known for its diverse student body.

Responsibilities

• Supervise the Chico State Human Identification Lab, including maintaining law enforcement contracts, chain of custody, and curation of human remains.
• Ensure confidentiality and security for each case.
• Participate in forensic anthropological laboratory analyses and field responses, including scheduling and coordinating lab teams for search and recovery efforts for law enforcement agencies.
• Collaborate with current faculty on developing training programs for first responders and law enforcement, as well as participate in curriculum development and public outreach.

Requirements

• 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.

Qualifications

• Minimum education requirement: Ph.D. in Anthropology with specialization in biological anthropology.
• Experience: At least 5 years of experience in a medico-legal setting, such as a medical examiner office or forensic anthropology lab.
• Professional activities: Strong record of professional and scholarly activities and expertise.
• Grant writing: History of grant writing and success in acquiring external funding.
• Teaching: College teaching experience.
• Forensic anthropology case work: Involvement in forensic anthropology case work and progress toward ABFA board certification.

Skills

• Ability to supervise and manage a forensic anthropology lab.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills.
• Expertise in forensic anthropology and related fields.

Benefits

Salary is commensurate with education and experience, with an anticipated hiring range of $89,772 - $91,284 per year. Benefits include tuition fee waiver (if eligible).

Pay

Salary is commensurate with education and experience, with an anticipated hiring range of $89,772 - $91,284 per year.

Schedule

Initial Review Date: April 2, 2026. Complete applications received after this date may be considered.

Contact Information

To apply, please submit a current cover letter, CV, and contact information of three professional references. For questions, contact Ashley Kendell, Search Committee Chair at akendell@csuchico.edu.