Teaching Assistant Professor of Biological Anthropology

A Ph.D. in Anthropology (or a Ph.D. or equivalent degree in a closely related field with significant experience in Anthropology) and evidence of teaching experience is required.
Candidates who are ABD at the time of application will be considered, but a candidate hired without degree in hand by July 1 would be hired at reduced rank and salary.

The Department of Anthropology at Appalachian State University invites applications for a nine-month, full-time, non-tenure track appointment (with full benefits) in Biological Anthropology at the rank of Teaching Assistant Professor to begin August 2026. We seek a broadly trained biological anthropologist who is passionate about teaching at the undergraduate level.

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With 14 full-time faculty members and over 150 undergraduate anthropology majors, the Department of Anthropology at Appalachian State University is committed to a comparative and holistic approach to the study of the human experience. Our program provides a broad understanding of the origins as well as the meaning of biological and cultural diversity in the world, past, present, and future, and it offers the opportunity for understanding world affairs and crafting solutions to problems within the total context of the human experience. For more information about our academic programs, faculty, students, and facilities, please visit our website.

The successful applicant will teach a full course load consisting primarily of a lecture section and 3-4 lab sections of a large (80- to 120-student) introductory-level, general education biological anthropology course, Our Primate Heritage, which focuses on topics in human evolution and biological variation, with potential to teach another upper-level course in the candidate's area of specialization in some semesters according to departmental needs.

Typical physical demands of classroom and educational environments in a professional position at a university.

ABD with reduction in rank and salary: ABD will be considered for this position. Evidence of successful defense of the dissertation must be received by July 31 for a fall hire or November 30 for a spring hire. If confirmation of defense is not provided by the deadline, the candidate will receive a new one-year fixed-term contract and be hired at the rank of Instructor. The candidate's salary will also be reduced to a lower rate commensurate with other full-time instructors in the same department. However, if degree verification is provided before the end of the one-year fixed-term contract, the candidate will be returned to the rank of assistant professor with commensurate compensation beginning July 1 of the following academic year.

No ABD consideration: Only candidates with an earned doctorate or terminal degree from an accredited institution will be considered for the position. Since ABD will not meet the minimum requirements, ABD will not be considered.

For a complete application, please apply and submit all below-required documents electronically through Appalachian State University's Job Board:

(1) Cover letter (2 pages maximum) delineating your interests, qualifications, and teaching approach.

(2) Curriculum vitae; which includes a list of three references with contact information.

(3) Unofficial transcripts for the highest degree earned or in progress. (non-password protected)

Applications from candidates who are ABD at the time of application will be evaluated, but the Ph.D. must be officially awarded before the job start date or the candidate will be hired at reduced rank and salary.

Applicants should feel free to reach out to the search committee chair Susan Lappan (lappansm@appstate.edu) with any questions about the position or to request accommodations throughout the application process.

The continued employment of a special faculty member during the term appointment may be made expressly contingent on items such as the continued availability of funding from any source, on enrollment levels, or any other contingency established by the institution.

The continued employment of a special faculty member during the term appointment may be made expressly contingent on items such as the continued availability of funding from any source, on enrollment levels, or any other contingency established by the institution.