The University of Pennsylvania invites applications for an Anthropology faculty position in Indigenous Studies in Philadelphia. The open-rank appointment starts in the 2027/28 academic year. The search is open to scholars eligible for appointment as Assistant, Associate or Full Professor within the Department of Anthropology.
The department is particularly interested in scholars researching coloniality, indigeneity, contemporary politics and deep time from a global perspective. Relevant areas include sovereignty and governance, dispossession and extraction, climate and environmental justice, law, health and healing, media and communication, and science and technology studies.
The successful candidate will maintain an active research and publication record while teaching undergraduate and graduate courses. They will teach four courses each year, mentor students and contribute to Penn’s Native American and Indigenous Studies Initiative.
The university also welcomes scholars who use collaborative, feminist and decolonial approaches, particularly in research on Indigenous cultural heritage, material culture and community collaboration. Candidates must hold a PhD in Anthropology or a related discipline by the start of the appointment.
Position Details
- Position: Anthropology Tenured/Tenure-Track Position in Indigenous Studies
- Official Reference number: 192503
- Institution: University of Pennsylvania, USA
- Department: Department of Anthropology, School of Arts and Sciences
- Research Discipline(s): Anthropology, Indigenous Studies
- Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Job Type: Faculty
- Start Date: 2027/28 academic year
- Required Qualification: PhD in Anthropology or a related discipline
Research Areas
The position covers the following research and teaching areas:
- Indigenous Studies
- Coloniality, indigeneity and contemporary politics
- Deep time
- Sovereignty and governance
- Dispossession and extraction
- Climate and environmental justice
- Law, health and healing
- Media and communication
- Science and technology studies
- Indigenous cultural heritage and material culture
Eligibility/Qualifications
Required qualifications include:
- PhD in Anthropology or related discipline
- Active research and publication record
- Ability to contribute to undergraduate and graduate teaching
- Ability to mentor students
- Contribution to the NAIS Initiative
Key Responsibilities
- Conduct and publish research in Indigenous Studies and related areas, contributing to the research strengths and interdisciplinary environment of the Department of Anthropology.
- Teach undergraduate and graduate courses, with a teaching load of four courses per academic year.
- Mentor undergraduate and graduate students.
- Contribute to Penn’s Native American and Indigenous Studies Initiative.
Application Process
Candidates should submit their application through Interfolio’s Faculty Search platform. The application requires a cover letter, CV, research statement and contact details for three individuals who have agreed to provide recommendation letters.
Longlisted candidates will later be invited to submit a writing sample of no more than 40 pages.
Required Documents
- Cover letter of 2–3 pages
- Curriculum vitae
- Research statement of 3–5 pages
- Contact information for three referees who have agreed to provide letters of recommendation
- Writing sample of no more than 40 pages, if requested later in the search process
Important Dates
- Applications Open: 28 August 2026
- Application Review Begins: 15 October 2026
- Application Deadline: Applications will be accepted until the position is filled
- Expected Start Date: 2027/28 academic year
Related Academic Opportunities
- Anthropology academic positions
- Cultural Studies academic positions
- Cultural Heritage research jobs
- Higher Education jobs in USA
- International faculty positions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the position at the University of Pennsylvania?
It is an open-rank faculty position in Indigenous Studies within the Department of Anthropology.
What academic ranks are eligible for the position?
The position is open to candidates at the Assistant, Associate or Full Professor level.
What degree is required?
Candidates must have a PhD in Anthropology or a related discipline by the time the appointment begins.
What are the main research interests for this position?
The department is particularly interested in work addressing coloniality, indigeneity, contemporary politics and deep time, alongside areas such as sovereignty, extraction, environmental justice, health, heritage and science and technology studies.
What is the teaching requirement?
The successful candidate will teach undergraduate and graduate classes, with a teaching load of four courses per year.
What documents are required for the application?
Applicants must provide a cover letter, CV, research statement and contact information for three referees. Longlisted candidates may later be asked for a writing sample of up to 40 pages.
Institutional Overview
The University of Pennsylvania is a private research university in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and a member of the Ivy League. Its School of Arts and Sciences brings together 28 academic departments through the College of Arts and Sciences, Graduate Division, and College of Liberal and Professional Studies. Penn supports research across the humanities, social sciences and sciences and encourages collaboration across academic fields. Its urban campus provides opportunities for researchers and students to work across disciplines and connect different areas of scholarship. The university also supports Native American and Indigenous Studies through interdisciplinary research and teaching initiatives. Penn combines undergraduate and graduate education with research across a broad range of academic disciplines.
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