Assistant Professor

Job Opportunities at Texas State University

The Department of Anthropology at Texas State University invites applications for a tenure‑track Assistant Professor position in Cultural Anthropology with a focus on Medical Anthropology, beginning Fall 2026. We seek a broadly trained cultural or linguistic anthropologist whose expertise focuses on the study of health, illness, and the institutional and social forces that shape them.

The department has 23 full‑time faculty working in archaeology, biological anthropology, cultural anthropology, and linguistic anthropology. It hosts two major centers—the Center for Archaeological Studies and the Forensic Anthropology Center—as well as the Innovative Anthropologies Laboratory. Faculty research spans language and socio‑cultural processes, history of anthropology, social movements, justice, health, design, and technology, and is framed by applied, public, and actionable anthropology.

We pride ourselves on a collegial environment that encourages creativity, intellectual exchange, and real‑world impact. The ideal candidate will build on and extend these strengths in research, teaching, and student mentorship, demonstrating collaborative, community‑engaged, participatory, and applied approaches. Research foci may include reproductive or maternal health, family planning, disability studies, biotechnology/biomedicine, and migration.

The successful candidate will contribute to the department’s baccalaureate degrees in anthropology, M.A. in anthropology, and Ph.D. in applied anthropology. For more about the department, visit https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..html .

• Teach undergraduate and graduate courses on medical anthropology and other cultural or linguistic anthropology topics, including introductory, advanced, method, and theory courses at all degree levels.
• Provide practical training for students in ethnographic and qualitative methodologies for applied research.
• Mentor students from undergraduate through Ph.D. levels, fostering methodological rigor and social impact.
• Maintain an externally funded research program in medical anthropology that results in peer‑reviewed publications and, where applicable, public, creative, and applied products.
• Contribute to service activities in the department, college, university, and profession, helping advance the mission of the department as an applied program that bridges theory and practice.

• Ph.D. in anthropology awarded by the time of hire.
• Research agenda focused on medical anthropology from a cultural or linguistic anthropology perspective.
• A clear trajectory of publication potential leading to tenure, including peer‑reviewed publications and, where applicable, public, creative, and applied products.
• Experience in teaching or demonstrated ability to teach courses in medical anthropology and core intro/advanced courses in cultural or linguistic anthropology theory, methods, and topics.

• A master’s degree or other qualification in public health or global health.
• Research aligned with high‑interest areas such as reproductive or maternal health, family planning, disability studies, biotechnology/biomedicine, migration, and their intersections with applied anthropology.
• Experience or expertise that complements departmental strengths.
• Evidence of external research funding or a clear plan to obtain future funding.
• Evidence of scholarly publication appropriate to career stage.
• Experience mentoring undergraduate and graduate students and supervising applied research projects in medical anthropology.

All materials must be received by Oct. 15, 2025. Only online applications will be considered, submitted at /52914 .

Applicants should submit the following:

• Cover letter (highlighting experience regarding responsibilities and qualifications). 500–750 words.
• Research statement. 500–750 words.
• Teaching and mentorship philosophy statement. 500–750 words.
• Curriculum vitae.
• Unofficial transcripts (all in one document).
• Names and email addresses of three references for recommendation letters.

The selected candidate will be…