The University of Toronto Mississauga invites applications for an Assistant Professor in Palaeoanthropology. This full-time, tenure-stream position focuses on early hominins, including early Homo, with an expected start date of 1 July 2027.
The position is based in the Department of Anthropology. Applicants should have strong experience in palaeoanthropological research, teaching, quantitative methods and fieldwork. They should hold a PhD in Anthropology or a closely related field by appointment, or shortly afterwards.
The successful candidate will develop an independent research programme with external funding. Their work will address key questions about human evolution using quantitative methods, evolutionary morphology and fossil evidence. The research will also use innovative analytical techniques to examine fossil evidence and palaeoanthropological data.
Alongside research, the appointee will teach quantitative methods in anthropology at undergraduate and graduate levels. They will also contribute to other relevant courses and undertake departmental service. The position includes opportunities to support student training through fieldwork and fossil dataset analysis.
Position Details
- Position: Assistant Professor in Palaeoanthropology
- Official Reference Number: 48799
- Institution: University of Toronto Mississauga, Canada
- Department: Department of Anthropology
- Research Discipline(s): Palaeoanthropology, Human Evolution, Evolutionary Morphology
- Location: Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
- Job Type: Faculty – Tenure Stream
- Contract Duration: Continuing tenure-stream appointment
- Start Date: July 2027
- Working Hours: Not specified in the source
- Salary: CAD $140,000–$180,000 per annum, depending on experience
Research Areas
The position focuses on palaeoanthropology and quantitative approaches to understanding human evolution, particularly through the following areas:
- Early hominins, including early Homo
- Human evolution
- Palaeoanthropology
- Evolutionary morphology
- Quantitative methods
- Fossil evidence and datasets
- Palaeoanthropological fieldwork
- Innovative analytical approaches
- Interdisciplinary research across anthropology and related biological sciences
Eligibility and Qualifications
Required qualifications include:
- PhD in Anthropology or a closely related field by the time of appointment, or shortly thereafter.
- Demonstrated excellence in palaeoanthropological research and teaching.
- Expertise in quantitative methods.
- Active engagement in palaeoanthropological fieldwork.
- A strong record of research publications or forthcoming publications meeting international standards.
- Evidence of research excellence through conference presentations, awards, accolades or strong referee endorsements.
- Evidence of teaching excellence through teaching accomplishments and a teaching dossier.
- Experience with student mentoring, workshops, seminars, teaching assistance or course instruction may demonstrate teaching ability.
- Ability to contribute to interdisciplinary collaboration across anthropology, biology and related fields would be an asset.
Key Responsibilities
The successful candidate will be expected to:
- Develop an innovative and independent research programme in palaeoanthropology.
- Establish a competitive and externally funded research programme.
- Conduct research on early hominins, including early Homo.
- Apply quantitative methods in evolutionary morphology and analyse fossil evidence.
- Teach quantitative methods in anthropology at undergraduate and graduate levels.
- Provide research and training opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students.
- Contribute to relevant disciplinary teaching and assigned departmental service activities.
Salary and Benefits
The hiring salary is CAD $140,000 to $180,000 per annum, depending on experience. Negotiations beyond this salary range will be considered for exceptionally qualified candidates.
The appointment provides access to the University of Toronto Mississauga’s research-intensive environment and membership of the tri-campus Graduate Department of Anthropology.
Who Should Apply?
This position may suit researchers specialising in palaeoanthropology, human evolution and evolutionary morphology, particularly those working on early hominins and early Homo. Candidates with strong quantitative research skills, palaeoanthropological fieldwork experience and an established research profile may be well suited to the role. Experience developing externally funded research programmes and teaching quantitative methods in anthropology would also be relevant.
Application Process
Applicants must submit all required documents through the University of Toronto’s online recruitment system. Applications must include recent reference letters, with all materials received by the stated closing time.
Required Application Documents:
- Cover letter
- Current curriculum vitae (CV)
- Research statement outlining current and future research interests
- Recent writing sample
- Teaching dossier, including a teaching statement
- Sample course materials
- Teaching evaluations or other evidence of teaching excellence
- Equity, diversity and inclusion statement
- Names and contact information for three references
Applicants should ensure that all required documents and reference letters are submitted according to the University’s recruitment requirements before the stated closing time.
Important Dates
- Applications Open: 8 August 2026
- Application Deadline: 15 October 2026, 11:59 PM ET
- Interview Period: Not specified in the source
- Expected Start Date: July 2027
Eligible candidates should review the official position details and submit their complete application through the University of Toronto recruitment system before the deadline.
Related Academic Opportunities
- Palaeoanthropology Research Positions
- Anthropology Academic Careers
- Archaeology Academic Jobs
- Global Human Evolution Positions
- International Faculty Opportunities
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this a tenure-stream position?
Yes. The position is a full-time, tenure-stream Assistant Professor appointment in Palaeoanthropology at the University of Toronto Mississauga.
What research area does the position focus on?
The position focuses on palaeoanthropology and human evolution, particularly early hominins, including early Homo, with quantitative methods and evolutionary morphology forming important components of the research.
What qualification is required?
Applicants should hold a PhD in Anthropology or a closely related field by the time of appointment, or shortly thereafter.
Where is the position located?
The position is based at the University of Toronto Mississauga in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada.
What does the successful candidate teach?
The appointee will teach quantitative methods in anthropology at undergraduate and graduate levels and contribute to other relevant courses.
What is the salary?
The hiring salary is CAD $140,000–$180,000 per annum, depending on experience, subject to the official terms of the position.
Institutional Overview
The University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM) is a research-intensive campus of the University of Toronto, supporting research, teaching and interdisciplinary collaboration across a wide range of academic fields. Its Department of Anthropology brings together research and teaching in areas including archaeology, biological anthropology, sociocultural anthropology, linguistic anthropology and medical anthropology. As part of the University of Toronto’s wider academic community, UTM provides opportunities for interdisciplinary research, teaching and student development. The department’s broad research environment provides a relevant academic setting for this Assistant Professor position in Palaeoanthropology, particularly for research focused on human evolution, early hominins and quantitative approaches to anthropological research.
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