"Assistant Professor of American Indian Studies"

Job Details

Rank: Assistant Professor
Department: American Indian Studies
Starting Date: Fall 2026

The Department of American Indian Studies (AIS) at the California State University San Marcos (CSUSM) is located on the traditional territory and homelands of the Luiseño/Payómkawichum people this land remains the shared space among the Kuupangaxwichem/Cupeño and Kumeyaay and Ipai peoples. The AIS department invites applications for two tenure-track positions in American Indian Studies. We seek individuals with a commitment to the enhancement of our American Indian Studies major and department. This position is an excellent opportunity for scholars interested in a career at a teaching-centered institution that is home to the largest per capita American Indian student population in California.

Our department provides students with a research, community, and place-based program of study. We accomplish this through an integrated approach to understanding tribal knowledge, sovereignty, diverse histories, tribal legal and political status, community, culture, social and educational needs of American Indians in California and the US. Students in AIS learn to work effectively with and for Tribal Nations and communities as they interface with non-Indian communities to exercise tribal sovereignty. We offer both the undergraduate major and minor in AIS.

We are seeking scholars with expertise in the following areas, particularly from an AIS lens: Traditional Ecological Knowledge, Decolonial Studies, California Indian Studies, History and Policy, Indigenous Cultural Rights, Business and Economic Development, Health and Wellness, or Education. It is essential for these scholars to prioritize place-based learning and demonstrate a commitment to decolonizing research methodologies.

Candidates applying for this position should hold a PhD in American Indian Studies (Native American, Indigenous, First Nations) or a closely related field, with completion prior to the appointment start date. Furthermore, candidates should demonstrate a clear commitment to American Indian epistemology, encompassing theory, methodology, and pedagogy as they relate to the field of AIS.

The appointment will begin August 2026.

Minimum Qualifications:

• PhD in American Indian Studies (Native American, Indigenous, First Nations) or related disciplines; ABD applicants will be accepted; Ph.D. must be completed before employment start date.
• A clear commitment to American Indian epistemology, in terms of theory, methodology, pedagogy as they pertain to the field of American Indian Studies.
• Demonstrated knowledge of sovereignty, culture, and tribal histories and federal Indian policy and law.
• Demonstrated experience in working in collaboration with California American Indian tribes, communities, organizations and/or other American Indian nations in the US.
• Demonstrated teaching experience that emphasizes Indigenous knowledge and culture.
• Ability to teach a variety of general education, upper-division, in-person, hybrid, and online classes, including independent studies as needed.
• Demonstrated active research agenda and a strong record of Community Based Participatory Research (CBPR).
• Evidence of ability to communicate American Indian perspectives including cultures and histories.
• Evidence of academic and/or professional background necessary to contribute to the development and growth of place-based curriculum and pedagogical practices.
• Evidence of potential ability to obtain external research grants.

Desired/Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience teaching American Indian students at the University level.
• Evidence in developing curriculum in decolonization, tribal sovereignty, resistance, resurgence and resilience and courses addressing settler colonialism.
• Evidence of working collaboratively with other departments and programs across disciplines.

Duties:

The successful candidate will regularly offer a variety of general education, upper-division and lower division, in-person, hybrid, and online classes, including independent studies as needed and will help build the department’s AIS major. They will design and sustain an active research agenda and a strong record of Community Based Participatory Research (CBPR) within the discipline. In addition, they will engage in service and take on leadership positions within the department, college, university, and the AIS discipline as appropriate.

Application Material:

• Cover letter (please address the above minimum and desired/preferred qualification)
• Curriculum vitae
• Teaching statement (please include teaching philosophy that describes the role faculty play in student success);
• Syllabi for two courses taught in AIS or closely related filed, if available;
• Copies of all transcripts that include relevant course work;
• Research statement
• Evidence of teaching success (please include: student evaluations/summaries (from two classes), peer observation summaries, etc.)
• Statement of contributions working within tribal communities
• Three confidential professional references

Anticipated Hiring Salary Range: $7,250 - $7,700 per month

A review of applications will begin on September 22, 2025; however, the position will be open until filled.