Teaching Assistant Professor of Anthropology - Department of Sociology and Anthropology

The Department of Sociology and Anthropology at West Virginia University invites applications for a Teaching Assistant Professor of Anthropology position. The preferred start date is January 5, 2026. This is a 9-month, full-time, position with full benefits. Teaching Assistant Professor appointments have renewable terms of up to three years, with no limit on the number of terms. These positions are eligible for promotion (e.g., Teaching Assistant Professor to Teaching Associate Professor, etc.); however, promotion to senior ranks is not a requirement for institutional commitment and career stability.

The Department offers Bachelor of Arts degrees in Anthropology, Criminology, Sociology, and Women & Gender Studies, as well as a PhD in Sociology. Anthropology at WVU is a vibrant and growing three-field program with dedicated professors and passionate and award-winning students, who take advantage of hands-on and experiential training through the WVU Archaeology Lab, the Environment and Society Lab, a faculty research lab, study abroad, and field schools.

Responsibilities:

The teaching load is four (4) courses per semester or equivalents. The successful candidate will be expected to teach classes, mostly in-person, including multiple large sections of Introduction to Anthropology (ANTH 105), in addition to upper-level courses in their areas of specialization. The candidate will oversee the WVU Archaeology Lab, in addition to advising and developing field school opportunities for undergraduate students. The candidate will also be expected to serve the department, university, community, and profession.

Professional Qualifications:

The successful candidates must have a Ph.D. in Anthropology, or a related field. We will consider ABD candidates, but the Ph.D. must be conferred by the start date. We are particularly interested in candidates with a research specialization in bioarchaeology or who are otherwise qualified to teach across both the archaeological and biological anthropology subfields. Candidates must demonstrate evidence of and commitment to establishing an excellent record of teaching and mentorship/advising; the ability to coordinate the WVU Archaeology Lab, excellent written and oral communication skills; and excellent interpersonal skills.

To apply, please visit https://careers.wvu.edu/career-opportunities and upload (1) a cover letter addressed to the Search Committee, (2) a curriculum vitae, (3) a one-page teaching statement summarizing teaching effectiveness and pedagogy, and (4) complete contact information for three professional references. Letters of recommendation from professional references will only be requested from finalists. For more information, please visit our website https://soca.wvu.edu/. Questions regarding this position may be directed to the chair of the search committee, Dr. Jennifer Steele (jksteele@mail.wvu.edu). Review of applications will begin on December 3, 2025, and will continue until the position is filled.

Morgantown, WV is a growing university city. The area offers abundant outdoor recreation and the cultural opportunities of a college town. It is within easy driving distance of Pittsburgh, PA (70 mi) and is within a day's driving distance to Washington DC and Columbus, OH (200 mi).

West Virginia University is a place of purpose and community. We take pride in our profound impact on the state of West Virginia and are committed to the personal and professional growth of our employees.

From the groundbreaking R1 research at our flagship campus in Morgantown to the career-oriented programs at WVU Potomac State in Keyser, and the technology-intensive programs at WVU Tech in Beckley, the contributions of WVU employees resonate across the state, touching lives and shaping futures.

At WVU, you will discover a supportive community that champions work-life balance and fosters a collaborative atmosphere. Our core values - service, curiosity, respect, accountability and appreciation - unite us as Mountaineers.

Join us at West Virginia University, where your work will make a lasting impact. To learn more about WVU, visit wvu.edu.

West Virginia University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We invite all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or Veteran status.