Career & Practice

Summary: Grand Valley State University Department of Anthropology invites applications for a tenure-track position professor in Great Lakes Archaeology and Indigenous People to begin August 6, 2022. The successful candidate will join an active, collaborative four field department with a strong applied focus. Candidate must be committed to GVSU's vision of inclusion and equity and its general education goals.

Rank is open and will be determined based on qualifications.

Department/Division: Anthropology

Anthropology is the study and understanding of humans in all places and throughout time, including the effects of culture on individuals and of individuals on their society. Anthropology offers a perspective for critically analyzing culture and prepares students for multicultural career settings in the United States and abroad. We offer both an anthropology major and minor; B.A. and B.S. Anthropology contributes substantially to the General Education Program, teaching four Foundation Courses, nine Theme Courses, ten World Perspectives courses and one U.S. Diversity course. The Anthropology Department is part of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS).

Campus: Allendale

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS) is the largest college at Grand Valley, offering over 50 bachelor degrees and a growing number of advanced degrees in the natural and mathematical sciences, the fine arts and humanities, and the social sciences. CLAS is a student-centered and diverse learning community that engages in critical inquiry, extending knowledge to enrich and enliven individual and public life. Our faculty are active teacher-scholars committed to equitable, inclusive, career-connected, and community-engaged liberal arts and sciences education. There are many opportunities for collaboration within CLAS and across a broad group of partners on and off campus. We are interested in attracting a cohort of new faculty committed to these core values as we seek to foster a community where members from all backgrounds can live, learn, and thrive together.

Campus/University:  Grand Valley University (GVSU) is a public comprehensive institution located in West Michigan with campuses in Allendale, downtown Grand Rapids, and Holland, plus centers in Detroit, Muskegon and Traverse City. The University attracts more than 23,000 undergraduate and graduate students with high quality programs and state-of-the-art facilities, and has been nationally recognized for innovativeness and its contribution to students’ social mobility. The greater Grand Rapids metropolitan area has a population of around one million people, is affordable, and offers rich cultural amenities. Grand Valley is located within easy driving distance of Chicago, Detroit, Lake Michigan beaches, and many other superb summer and winter recreational venues. Information can be found at Community Resources - Human Resources - Grand Valley State University (gvsu.edu). Grand Valley is highly rated for safety, sustainability, and veteran and LGBTQ friendliness, and is committed to supporting employees and their families in work-life balance. The university seeks to create an inclusive and diverse environment for faculty and students while promoting enrichment of society through excellent teaching, active scholarship, and service. More information can be found at Grand Valley State University (gvsu.edu).

How to Apply: A complete application must include: (1) a cover letter addressing qualifications and your motivation to teach at GVSU, (2) curriculum vitae, (3) a statement that describes ongoing and anticipated activities to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in teaching, research/creative activity, and service, with particular attention to experiences engaging and supporting a diverse student body, (4) contact information of three professional references. Applicants selected for interviews will be required to submit official transcripts prior to the interview.

If you have questions or need assistance, call Human Resources at 616-331-2215.

Apply online at Open Positions - GVSU Jobs - Grand Valley State University and select “Apply now”. The online application will allow applicants to attach these documents electronically.

Email questions about the position to Dr. Elizabeth Arnold, Search Committee Chair at arnoleli@gvsu.edu or call her at (616) 331 8936

Application Deadline:  The review process will begin on December 15, 2021. Applications received by December 30th, 2021 will receive full consideration. The posting may be closed at any time at the discretion of the University.

For more information about Grand Valley, see our website at www.gvsu.edu

Grand Valley State University is an EOE which includes protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. See http://www.gvsu.edu/affirmative/. TDD Callers: Call Michigan Relay Center at 711 (in State) or 1-800-833-7833 (out of State)

Required Qualifications and Education:

• Applicants for this position must have a PhD in Anthropology with expertise in the archaeology and cultures of the Great Lakes Indigenous Peoples or related area.
• Willingness and ability to engage in local/regional archaeological research, including regularly teaching a local field school.
• Demonstrated commitment to undergraduate teaching.
• Demonstrated commitment to integrating diversity, equity and inclusion into teaching, scholarship and service.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, such as the ability to interact with others with respect, empathy, and cultural humility.
• Creativity and flexibility.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and access. This could include experience with inclusive pedagogies; research relating to marginalized populations or social inequality; engagement with community-based social justice work; and other forms of DEI-infused teaching, scholarship and service.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in curation and collections management.
• Experience building authentic and respectful partnerships with Indigenous communities.
• Experience supporting undergraduate research, including field schools.
• A record of peer-reviewed publications and presentations.

Responsibilities – Essential Functions:

• The successful candidate will be expected to teach Origins of Civilization, Introduction to Archaeology, Archaeology of North America, Native Peoples of North America (as part of the general education program and within the Anthropology major and Archaeology minor) as well as courses within their research focus.
• Applicants should have demonstrated experience in classroom instruction.
• Demonstrate commitment to local, county and state groups.