Assistant Professor of Anthropology

Union College invites applications for the position of Assistant Professor of Anthropology, beginning September 1, 2026. Review of applications will begin on November 8, 2026 and continue until the position is filled. Applications received by November 8 will receive priority consideration.

Position description:

We seek socio-cultural candidates whose research addresses, and who can teach courses on religion and gender and who could offer courses in some of the following areas: kinship, childhood, education, visual anthropology, and linguistic anthropology. Geographically, we are interested in areas underrepresented in the current Union College curriculum including Sub-Saharan Africa, the Caribbean, the Middle East, South Asia, Southeast Asia, East Asia, or among the indigenous peoples of the Americas or Oceania, but we will consider other areas not currently represented by faculty in the department. Ideally, the new faculty member would be willing to direct one of our ethnographic field schools in rotation with another faculty member. Candidates with a Ph.D. in Anthropology in hand and teaching experience are preferred, but ABD candidates, as well as candidates in closely related fields are welcome to apply. The successful candidate will teach six courses over three ten-week trimesters.

About the Anthropology Department:

The department prides itself on strong teaching, building relationships with students, and fostering a sense of community. Department members are active scholars who support each other’s scholarship and who value the integration of research and teaching. Anthropology at Union College contributes to many interdisciplinary programs and to the Complex Questions general education curriculum that focuses on global challenges and on social justice. The successful hire can develop courses in their area of expertise that may contribute to the college’s general education curriculum as well as its interdisciplinary programs. We believe that creating and maintaining a welcoming and diverse environment is central to our department’s mission. Department members actively seek ways of fostering an inclusive and supportive classroom environment both through internal department discussions and through attending workshops offered by the college. Further information may be found online at https://www.union.edu/anthropology

Application instructions:

Please submit all application materials as PDF files. Only the following materials will be considered:

• Cover letter
• CV
• Teaching statement
• Writing sample
• Sample syllabi (one or two).

Send questions and other inquiries to Prof. Robert Samet at [email protected]. Applicants invited to the first round of interviews will receive a request for the contact information for three professional references who can speak to their abilities in research and teaching. 

Compensation:

The annual salary range for this position is $81,500-$83,500.  Except for roles with a set rate of pay, the wage/salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training. The stated hiring rate/range represents the College’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the rate/range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

Location: Schenectady, NY

We offer exceptional benefits including:

• Healthcare: Medical (PPO & HDHP), Dental, and Vision Insurance (Flexible Spending and Dependent Care Accounts)
• Free On-Campus Fitness Facility Access and Discounts for On-Campus Wellness Programs
• Pre and Post Tax participation in a 403(b) Retirement Plan
• Salary Continuation Program in the event of Disability
• Tuition Exchange

Background Checks: In accordance with our background check policy, finalists for hire will undergo a background check that includes education, employment, and criminal convictions.

E-Verify Participation: Union College participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify and your Right to Work (Derecho a Trabajar).