Visiting Faculty of Anthropology

undergraduate liberal arts university that emphasizes close student-faculty interaction.

Required Qualifications and Education:

• ABD in Anthropology from an accredited institution
• Experience teaching biological anthropology to undergraduates
• Strong interpersonal skills, such as the ability to interact with others with respect and empathy.
• Individuals from all backgrounds, including from underrepresented groups, are encouraged to apply. Successful candidates must be able to effectively engage with students, colleagues, and community members with a broad range of backgrounds and experiences

Preferred Qualifications and Education:

• PhD in Anthropology from an accredited institution completed by the start of the Winter 2026 semester

Responsibilities:

• Visiting Assistant Professor will teach four courses per semester in Winter 2026, Fall 2026, and Winter 2027. Possible courses include Human Origins and Methods in Biological Anthropology.

Salary/Benefits:

The salary is $50,000 per year.
The university offers an excellent comprehensive package that includes health plans, life insurance, tuition waiver, adoption resources, wellness coaching, and free access to campus fitness facilities, effective on date of hire.

Department/College:

The Anthropology Department (www.gvsu.edu/anthropology) consists of 9 full-time faculty and several part-time instructors with a commitment to excellent undergraduate teaching and research. This four-field department offers both an Anthropology major (BA and BS) and minor, while also contributing substantially to the General Education Program, teaching four Foundation courses, nine Theme courses, ten World Perspectives courses, and two U.S. Diversity Courses. The Anthropology Department is part of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. The Anthropology Department also participates in the interdisciplinary archaeology minor with the History Department and the Classics Department.

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS) is the largest college at Grand Valley, offering over 50 bachelor's 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 learning community that welcomes individuals from various backgrounds and engages in critical inquiry, extending knowledge to enrich and enliven individual and public life. Our faculty are active teacher-scholars committed to offering students an accessible and community-engaged liberal arts and sciences education that prepares them for meaningful careers. 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.

University:

Grand Valley State 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 page on Grand Valley State University Human Resources website.

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) contact information of three professional references, and (4) graduate transcripts (unofficial issued to students are acceptable to apply).
Apply online at GVSU Careers. The online application will allow applicants to attach these documents electronically, in the same file location. Applicants selected for interviews will be required to submit official transcripts prior to the interview.
Please note that successful applicants are responsible for ensuring their eligibility to work in the United States (i.e. a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without the need of an employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of appointment.
Email questions about the position to: Gwyn Madden (maddeng@gvsu.edu). If you need technical assistance, email Human Resources at hro@gvsu.edu.
Application Deadline: The review process will begin on November 25, 2025, and continue until the position is filled. Applications submitted after this date will still be considered, but the posting may be closed at any time at the discretion of the University.