Assistant Professor of Anthropology

The Department of Anthropology and Heritage Studies invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track position in sociocultural anthropology at the rank of Assistant Professor. We seek a candidate with a research specialization in cultural approaches to health, sustainability, and/or food systems and commitment to developing and implementing a community-engaged research agenda in California's Central Valley and its surroundings, while also maintaining a comparative transnational/global perspective. We specifically seek an applicant who will contribute to our department's Anthropology program as well as Community Research and Service course offerings and program development. This is a full-time, permanent, tenure-track position.

Key responsibilities for this position include:

• Working with current faculty and staff to expand Community Research and Service programming and teaching
• Teaching introductory and upper-division undergraduate courses. Core courses taught by sociocultural faculty are Introduction to Sociocultural Anthropology and Ethnographic Methods. Elective courses may include topics related to community-engaged research, food and health, migration, globalization, and sustainability.
• Teaching, mentoring, and advising graduate students in UC Merced's Interdisciplinary Humanities PhD program
• Service responsibilities in the department and university commensurate with academic rank

Applications must be submitted online. Completed applications must be received no later than November 20, 2026, in order to be considered. Interested applicants are required to submit 1) a cover letter; 2) curriculum vitae; 3) statement of research; 4) statement of teaching; 5) two writing samples; and 6) a list of three references with contact information including mailing address, phone number and e-mail address.

Department: https://ahs.ucmerced.edu/

In order to be considered, candidates must have a PhD in Anthropology or a closely related field by the position start date.

The ideal candidate will study issues of direct relevance to communities in the Merced area which may include health, nutrition, and sustainability in contexts of migration, transnationalism, and socio-economic disparities. Candidates who bring a comparative global perspective to these local issues will be considered. We seek a candidate with a strong record of publication and demonstrable interest in obtaining extramural funding who will establish and maintain strong research programs. Strong applicants will be able to demonstrate effectiveness in teaching at the undergraduate level, as well as potential to engage undergraduate and graduate students in research. We expect this candidate to contribute to teaching Introduction to Sociocultural Anthropology, ethnographic methods, and elective courses in Anthropology as well as Community Research and Service. We also seek an individual with strong organizational and interpersonal skills necessary for building up UCM's Community Research and Service program.

• 3 letters of reference required

Please enter the names and contact information for three references to provide letters of recommendation

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct.

"Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment or discrimination, as defined by the employer.

Please complete, sign, and upload the required Authorization of Information Release to your application: Required Authorization of Information Release Form.

Additional links: UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy, the UC Anti-Discrimination Policy, and APM 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment.

The University of California, Merced, is the newest of the University of California system's 10 campuses. Ranked as one of the best public universities in the nation by U.S. News and World Report and recently designated as an R1 institution by Carnegie, UC Merced is committed to innovation and excellence in research. With over 9,000 undergraduate and graduate students (Center of Institutional Effectiveness), UC Merced provides outstanding, inclusive educational opportunities to highly qualified students from the heart of California, the nation, and abroad. The campus has special connections to nearby Yosemite National Park; is on the cutting edge of sustainability in construction and design; and supports the economic development of Central California.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements. This includes the University of California Policy on Vaccination Programs.