Assistant Professor of Anthropology

Union College, Schenectady, NY

Full time

JR101768

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 (http://www.union.edu/human-resources/background-check-policy?\_ga=2.164769983.1635496244.1717465945-1000516401.1717465945) , 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 (https://www.e-verify.gov/) and your Right to Work (Derecho a Trabajar) (https://www.e-verify.gov/sites/default/files/everify/posters/IER\_RightToWorkPoster%20Eng\_Es.pdf) .

Union College

Officially chartered in 1795, Union College is the fifth-oldest liberal arts college in the country. Located in the Capital District of New York State, Union is a highly selective residential and undergraduate college, home to 2,200 students and 220 faculty, and offering 44 majors. Union was the first liberal arts college to rethink the traditional liberal arts education and adopt an engineering curriculum. That pioneering approach continues today with an education that encourages students to work beyond the limits of disciplinary boundaries, allowing them to think globally and lead innovatively in a world where problem-solving requires breadth across humanities, arts, social sciences, science, and engineering.

Accommodations

If you require an accommodation throughout the interview process, please don't hesitate to contact our Human Resources department at [email protected] or 518-388-6108. We are committed to ensuring that all candidates have equal access to opportunities and can participate in a fair and inclusive hiring process.

Diversity at Union College

Union College is an equal-opportunity employer and is strongly committed to student and workforce diversity. Increasing diversity on campus is a critical priority for Union, one that is integral to our mission of preparing students for a globally interconnected world. Union provides a blend of intellectual, social, and cultural opportunities to facilitate the integrated academic, social, and personal development of a diverse community. We value and are committed to a host of diverse populations and cultures including, but not limited to, those based on race, religion, disability, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national origin, and veteran status. Union College is committed to providing access and will provide reasonable accommodation in its application process to individuals with disabilities who request such accommodations.

Non-Discrimination Policy

Union College will not discriminate in the recruitment or selection of faculty and employees, or in any other area of employment, on the basis of age, sex, race, national origin, religion, religious belief, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, and veteran status. In this regard, opportunities for advancement will be made available without bias. Union College will comply with the letter and intent of all State and Federal laws and applicable orders pursuant to Equal Employment Opportunity.