COLLEGE: SOCIAL SCIENCES AND INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES
DEPARTMENT: ANTHROPOLOGY
POSITION TITLE: Latin American Archaeologist
DEPARTMENT SUMMARY:
The Department of Anthropology is housed in the College of Social Sciences and Interdisciplinary Studies, consisting of 11 academic departments, three independent and interdisciplinary academic programs, and several centers and institutes. The College is a congenial and cohesive unit both academically and administratively. Our campus community represents the broad diversity of our state, and we believe that all are enriched and unified by this diversity. To this end, we are particularly interested in receiving applications from a broad spectrum of qualified individuals with the commitment and ability to work with our diverse student population, staff, and faculty.
The Department of Anthropology maintains a four-field anthropology curriculum with nearly 200 majors, supported by 15 full-time faculty, various part-time instructors, and five full-time staff. It offers both minor and major baccalaureate degrees and a Master of Arts graduate degree program in anthropology with specialization in one of four sub-fields: socio-cultural, linguistic, archaeological, and biological anthropology. The undergraduate curriculum allows students to choose one of three degree concentrations: Culture, Language and Society (CLS); Archaeology and Biological Anthropology (ABA); or General (Integrative) Anthropology (GA). The Department also houses the Museum of Anthropology and Archaeological Curation Facility that maintain extensive ethnographic and archaeological collections. The Department sustains a long-standing commitment to increase the inclusiveness experienced by our students, while enhancing the breadth of our curricular and scholarly offerings at the local, national, and international levels as a Hispanic serving university in a community where 27.4% of the population are of Latinx heritage.
POSITION DETAILS:
This is a full-time tenure-track position at the Assistant Professor rank.
JOB DUTIES:
- Demonstrate a genuine interest in high quality teaching and mentoring of a diverse body of students;
- Teach an upper-division, General Education, large enrollment course related to Latin American archaeology;
- Develop and teach upper division major courses in support of the major and the ABA Concentration, including a regional prehistory and an anthropological theory course in their specialty;
- Work collaboratively with faculty to support and contribute to the department as a part of the ABA concentration, which is strongly grounded in evolutionary theory, and committed to empirically rigorous, scientific research and student training;
- Develop a focused and productive program of original research that demonstrates inclusivity in the involvement of students and respect for diversity in the content and/or focus of the research topics. Engage in dissemination of research;
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Provide advising to a diverse body of undergraduate and graduate majors from a variety of backgrounds;
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Provide service to the department, college, University, and community.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Education: Ph.D. in Anthropology or relevant discipline.
- Demonstrated experience or potential of high-quality teaching practices and/or mentoring diverse students
- Demonstrated expertise in Latin American prehistory with an emphasis on Central America and Mexico sufficient to teach upper-division and graduate-level courses
- Evidence of ongoing field or laboratory work at one or more field sites and/or curatorial facilities in Central America and Mexico that involve community engagement
- Evidence of and potential for developing and disseminating original research in related areas
- Interest in curriculum and program development for training of students in Latin American archaeology with an emphasis on the sociopolitical and economic consequences of human-environment interactions in non-state agricultural societies
- Knowledge of and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusivity in pedagogy/educational practices
- Demonstrated experience or potential teaching undergraduate students
- Demonstrated experience or potential mentoring graduate students
- Demonstrated experience supervising students in field and/or lab research
- Demonstrated experience in the social, political, economic, and/or ecological dimensions of non-state agricultural societies in Central America
- Analytical specialization that complements and integrates effectively with existing faculty’s expertise and perspectives in paleoethnobotany, isotope analysis, or ceramics analysis
- Experience and/or interest in teaching graduate-level seminars
APPLICANT INSTRUCTIONS:
Review of applications with begin January 2026. Candidates must include the following attachments with the application:
- Cover Letter (2 pages max) outlining teaching experience and philosophy, and research program
- Current curriculum vita, including contact information for three referees
- Unofficial transcripts of highest degree or degree required for position
- Diversity Statement discussing potential to mentor and teach students from marginalized groups who have faced barriers in entering higher education and prepare them for careers in anthropology; to incorporate scholars of color and other minority groups in academic discourse; and to engage meaningfully with the communities where their research is conducted. Applicants who have not yet had the opportunity for such experiences should note how their work will further Sac State’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion as it relates to student success.
OTHER SPECIFICS ABOUT THE POSITION:
The classification annual salary range for this position is $64,860 - $143,928; the anticipated annual starting salary is $75,000.
About Sacramento State
Sacramento State is located in the heart of California’s capital city, five miles from State Capitol. The lush, 300-acre campus is situated along the American River, close to numerous bike trails and other recreational areas. Sacramento, also known as the “Farm-to-Fork Capital,” is one of the most ethnically diverse and livable cities in the country, with a population of half of a million. Sacramento State is a Hispanic and AANAPISI serving institution with about 31,000 students coming not only from the Greater Sacramento Region, but also from across the state, country, and world. Our 1,800 faculty and 1,500 staff are committed to meeting our mission:
“As California’s capital university, we transform lives by preparing students to lead, serve, and succeed. Sacramento State will be a welcoming, caring, and inclusive leader in education, innovation, and engagement.” As the regional hub of higher education, Sacramento State is dedicated to learning and student success; teaching, research, scholarship and creative activity; justice, diversity, equity and inclusion; resource development and sustainability; dedicated community engagement, and wellness and safety.
As evidenced by the values embedded in our Hornet Honor Code, Sacramento State is committed to creating an inclusive environment where all faculty, staff, students, and guests are welcome and valued. Our commitment is more than simply ensuring that our campus is free from bias and discrimination, but is one devoted to celebrating many diverse identities, life experiences, and perspectives that enrich our community, teaching and learning.
To learn more about why you should join the Hornet Family, please visit the Why Sac State? page.
Equal Employment Opportunity
California State University, Sacramento is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and has a strong institutional commitment to the principle of diversity in all areas. We consider qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy, genetic information, medical condition, marital status, veteran status, or disability. Sacramento State hires only those individuals who are lawfully authorized to accept employment in the United States.
It is the policy of California State University, Sacramento to provide reasonable accommodations for qualified persons with disabilities who are employees or applicants for employment. If you need a disability related reasonable accommodation as part of the application and/or interviewing process, visit https://www.csus.edu/administration-business-affairs/human-resources/benefits/reasonable-accomodation.html.
The University is committed to creating an education and working environment free from discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual violence, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking. For more information on mandatory training for new employees, visit https://www.csus.edu/administration-business-affairs/human-resources/learning-development/csu-learn.html.
Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act Notification:
Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act, the current Annual Security Report (ASR) is available for viewing at https://www.csus.edu/clery.
The ASR contains the current security and safety-related policy statements, emergency preparedness and evacuation information, crime prevention and sexual assault prevention information, and drug and alcohol prevention programming. The ASR also contains statistics of Clery Act crimes for Sacramento State for the last three (3) calendar years. Paper copies are available upon request by emailing the Clery Director at clery@csus.edu.
Under the Clery Act, this position may be designated as a Campus Security Authority (CSA) depending upon the role on campus and/or job duties. If this position is identified by the Director of Clery Compliance as a CSA position, you will be notified via email and will be assigned the appropriate training in CSU Learn.
Background Check Disclaimer
A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate can be offered a position with California State University, Sacramento. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the application status of applicants or continued employment of current California State University, Sacramento employees who apply for the position.
Out of State Employment
Per CSU-wide policy (HR2021-04), all faculty who will begin initial employment (or return from a 12-month break in service) on or after January 1, 2022 are required to perform their work from within the State of California. Faculty hired prior to January 1, 2022 must be available to perform work in the State of California if their assignment is in-person.
Eligibility Verification
Candidate will be required to provide official transcripts of their highest degree earned and must furnish proof of eligibility to work in the U.S. California State University, Sacramento is a sponsoring agency (i.e. H-1-B Visa).