Assistant Professor – Applied Anthropology with a specialization in California Archaeology (25/26)

Assistant Professor – Applied Anthropology with a
specialization in California Archaeology (25/26)
Job no: 540497
Work type: Instructional Faculty – Tenured/Tenure-Track
Location: San Luis Obispo
Categories: Unit 3 – CFA – California Faculty Association, Faculty – Social Sciences,
Tenured/Tenure-Track, Full Time, On-site (work in-person at business location)
SOCIAL SCIENCES DEPARTMENT – The Social Sciences Department in the College
of Liberal Arts at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, California,
is seeking applications for a full-time, academic-year, tenure-track Assistant Professor
of Anthropology to begin September 11, 2025. The area of specialization is
archaeology with a regional focus on California.
The ideal candidate will have a combination of university-level teaching experience,
and an established record of research that has potential for future development and
growth. We are seeking applicants with an earned doctorate in anthropology or
archaeology at the time of appointment, with demonstrable qualifications in
California hunter-gatherer archaeology including the applied dimensions of Cultural
Resources Management (CRM) with working knowledge of GIS, GPS, and/or LiDAR,
as well as quantitative methods. Ability to develop new curriculum incorporating
technology or other applied specializations (e.g., bioarcheology, ecofact analysis,
historical archaeology, historical ecology) will be a plus as well as plans to navigate
the evolving political milieu of Indigenous archaeology in California.
Primary teaching duties include a general education world prehistory course as well
as upper and lower division courses in archaeological method and theory, and cultural
resources management (CRM). The successful candidate will be expected to have the
background to provide traditional experiential learning opportunities in field and
laboratory methods, while simultaneously working to transform the current
curriculum to incorporate geo-technologies that are increasingly relied upon in
contemporary CRM. The successful candidate should have solid experience in and
knowledge of CRM, and should be able to teach the existing introductory class and
develop advanced offerings.
Other advising duties include supervising senior projects, mentoring students in
concentrations, academics and professional development, and guiding and engaging
them in research projects. Other departmental administrative responsibilities and
service to the university are required. Continued professional development is
required.
Although Cal Poly is primarily a teaching university, our faculty are expected to
balance teaching with an active program of research/professional development
(including publication), student supervision and advising, and participation in service
activities at the department and college/university level. The typical teaching load is
12 units (three courses) per quarter, with a reduction in course load in each of the
first two years to help new faculty establish an active program of research and
professional development. Cal Poly strongly values diversity, equity, and inclusion
(DEI), especially in the classroom and among its areas of study.
The College of Liberal Arts (CLA) sees diversity as central to its mission and is
committed to fostering an equitable and inclusive environment within the college and
university. We value our diversity of complex and intersecting identities, while
striving to maintain an environment that is socially just, equitable, respectful, and
inclusive. The successful applicant should be able to clearly demonstrate how they
have infused these values and student learning objectives into their work. They
should be prepared to present clear examples of how they would infuse these areas
into their work as a faculty member.
At California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, we believe that
cultivating an environment that embraces and promotes diversity is fundamental to
the success of our students, our employees and our community. Bringing people
together from different backgrounds, experiences and value systems fosters the
innovative and creative thinking that exemplifies Cal Poly’s values of free inquiry,
cultural and intellectual diversity, mutual respect, civic engagement, and social and
environmental responsibility. Cal Poly’s commitment to DEI informs our efforts in
recruitment, hiring and retention. California Polytechnic State University is an equalopportunity
employer.
Due to CSU policies, the person hired must reside in the state of California at the time
of hire and for the entirety of the appointment.
Salary: Anticipated Hiring Range: $90,276 – $98,244/year, $7,523 – $8,187/month
(Note that hiring level will be commensurate with the qualifications and experience
of the candidate.)
Required Qualifications
 Ph.D. in Anthropology or Archaeology, earned or nearing completion (degree
completion expected no later than August 2025).
 Demonstrated record of scholarly achievement in Archaeology.
 Minimum one-year professional experience in Cultural Resources
Management.
 Demonstrated ability to teach intro and advanced cultural resources
management courses for Archaeology.
 Demonstrated ability to teach archaeological field and method courses.
 Demonstrated expertise in one or more of the following technologies as
leveraged in the field of Archaeology and/or Anthropology: GIS, GPS or
LiDAR.
 Demonstrated proficiency in written and oral use of the English language.
Preferred Qualifications
 2+ years of practical or professional work experience in CRM strongly desired
 Proficient in project-based teaching methods
 Demonstrated ability to engage students in faculty-student research projects
 Demonstrated ability to mentor students in professional development and
achieving internships related to Applied Archaeology
 Ability to teach Quantitative Research Design and Methods
 Demonstrated experience working with diverse populations and fostering a
collaborative, supportive and inclusive environment
 The ability to collaboratively work in multidisciplinary settings
Special Conditions
The person holding this position is considered a ‘mandated reporter’ under the
California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the
requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.
Following a conditional offer of employment, a background check (including a
criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate may
start work with Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. Failure to satisfactorily complete the
background check may result in the withdrawal of the offer of employment. Note: Cal
Poly cannot deny an applicant a position solely or in part due to a criminal conviction
history until it has performed an individualized assessment and linked the relevant
conviction history with specific job duties in the position being sought.
Please note: Current employees who are offered positions on campus will be required
to undergo a background check for any position where a background check is
required by law or that Cal Poly has designated as sensitive. Sensitive positions are
those requiring heightened scrutiny of individuals holding the position based on
potential for harm to children, concerns for the safety and security of people, animals,
or property, or heightened risk of financial loss to Cal Poly or individuals in the
university community.
For health and well-being, Cal Poly is a smoke & tobacco-free campus. The university
is committed to promoting a healthy environment for all members of our community.
In accordance with the California State University (CSU) Out-of-State Employment
Policy, the CSU is a state entity whose business operations reside within the State of
California and prohibits hiring employees to perform CSU-related work outside of
California.
Department Information
The Social Sciences Department is comprised of two majors, Anthropology and
Geography and Sociology, and has 15 tenured or tenure-track faculty members. The
Anthropology and Geography program serves 148 majors and 50+ minors, as well as
students throughout the university in General Education offerings. The department’s
website is https://socialsciences.calpoly.edu/
How to Apply
To apply, please visit http://jobs.calpoly.edu/, complete a required online faculty
application and apply to Requisition #540497. Please upload the following required
materials as part of the electronic application:
1. Cover letter: address the feasibility of conducting a research and/or applied
program within the context of a primarily teaching-oriented undergraduate
program
2. Current curriculum vitae
3. Example of scholarship (1)
4. Teaching portfolio: provide evidence of student evaluations, syllabi and/or
example assignments, as well as a list of courses for which the candidate is
qualified and interested in teaching
5. Professional work portfolio: documentation of CRM related work managed or
contributed to, including any fieldwork and compliance and regulation
activities.
6. Statement of diversity, equity and inclusion: describe interest in contributing
to DEI efforts through research, advising and/or teaching
7. Unofficial transcripts showing highest degree earned, official transcripts
showing highest degree earned will be required prior to appointment.
Please be prepared to provide three professional references with names and email
addresses when completing the online faculty application. For full consideration
apply by the REVIEW BEGIN DATE: 09-27-2024. Applications received after this
date may be considered.
Projected Start Date: 09-11-2025
Review Begin Date: 09-27-2024. Applicants with complete files by the Review Begin
Date will be given full consideration.
For questions about the position please contact search chair Stacey L. Rucas via email
at srucas@calpoly.edu
Open Until Filled