Assistant Lecturer - Anthropology

Term of Appointment: 9 Months

Job Summary

The College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences invites applications for a full-time Assistant Lecturer in the Department of History, Anthropology, and Modern Languages and Literatures. The appointment begins January 4, 2027, and continues through June 15, 2027, with the possibility of renewal.

The ideal candidate will specialize in medical anthropology and be able to teach broadly across cultural anthropology for both majors and general education students. EWU is the Inland Northwest's polytechnic university with approximately one dozen health-related majors. Candidates should be enthusiastic about working with EWU's diverse, largely first-generation undergraduate population and committed to supporting student success. The department especially welcomes applicants interested in leveraging the program's osteology lab and regional healthcare partnerships to create experiential learning opportunities.

EWU is committed to supporting and promoting a workforce that is welcoming to all and encourages applicants of all backgrounds to apply for this position.

Teaching: Typical workload for this position will involve 45 credits per academic year. The expected salary upon hire is $61,954.

In addition to salary, the university offers a comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, life and disability insurance and retirement. In addition, EWU offers fringe benefits such as tuition waiver for employees, discounted EWU sports tickets, full access to our campus workout facilities at a minimum fee and free transportation through STA buses. For additional information regarding insurance benefits please see our Benefits page: https://inside.ewu.edu/hr/benefits-briefing/benefits/insurance/

Applications are open and accepted until recruitment is closed. Screening of applications will begin as received. A three-day notice will be provided prior to closure of recruitment. All materials will be held in strictest confidence; references will not be contacted until candidates have been notified.

Eastern Washington University provides an inclusive, equitable, and transformative learning experience, driving the pursuit of knowledge with affordable academic excellence.

About Eastern Washington University

Eastern Washington University, a regional, comprehensive public university with an enrollment of over 10,000 students, is one of six state-funded four-year institutions of higher education in Washington, each governed by its own board of trustees. As the region's polytechnic, we are recognized for our distinctive approach to hands-on learning that leads to in-demand careers. EWU's 300-acre main campus is located in Cheney, a community of 12,000 residents 16 miles southwest of Washington's second largest city, Spokane. Eastern also offers programs in downtown Spokane at the innovative, energy-efficient Catalyst building, the SIERR building which is a hub for research, development and advancement of health sciences. In addition, EWU programs can be found at select locations throughout the state, aligned with the needs of the community. Eastern contributes to the vitality of the region and the state through its wide array of bachelor's and master's degrees in over 100 fields of study, as well as applied doctorates in physical therapy and educational leadership, offering accessible pathways to career success and personal development to students of all socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds.

Eastern Washington University has been recognized for its commitment to helping undergraduate students learn, grow and succeed by Colleges of Distinction, a nationally trusted resource guide for college-bound students. The honor recognizes Eastern as a '26 -'27 College of Distinction (CoD), the second consecutive year it has received the national recognition.

Tribal Land Acknowledgement

At Eastern Washington University, we are proud to recognize the land of the Spokane Tribe and other tribes that shared the land for fishing and trading. The Spokane Tribe, Coeur d'Alene Tribe, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, the Kalispel Tribe, and the Nez Perce Tribe are integral to the cultural heritage and traditional ethnological knowledge of the land.

Native American heritage is woven into the fabric of our institution, enriching our community through tribal culture, historical teachings, and tribal language, and is embraced daily by students, staff, faculty, and the Eastern Washington community.

At EWU, we are committed to reflecting on and acknowledging the historical injustices of genocide and the forced removal of tribal peoples and all our relatives. EWU recognizes and honors tribal sovereignty and government to government relationships with tribes.

From here forward, EWU will remain committed to supporting, honoring, and recognizing the Native American community and the dynamic contributions that are shared with our university.

Equal Opportunity Statement

EWU does not discriminate in its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, genetic information, age, marital status, families with children, protected veteran or military status, HIV or hepatitis C, status as a mother breastfeeding her child, or the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained guide dog or service animal by a person with a disability, as provided for and to the extent required by state and federal laws.

Conditions of Employment

This position, during the course of university employment will be involved in the receipt of, or accountability for, university funds or other items of value, as well as the unsupervised access with the developmentally disabled, vulnerable adults or children under the age of 16. The offer of employment is contingent upon successful completion and passing of a background check prior to beginning employment.

Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa currently. Sponsorship is not available for this position at this time.

All new employees must comply with EWU Immunization Policy 602-02 and provide proof of immunity or vaccination to MMR before beginning work at EWU. Waivers for the immunization requirements are available for medical or sincerely held religious beliefs. After starting employment, employees will complete the required training via Canvas. The Office of Employee Belonging, Development, and Leadership will reach out to you concerning Workplace Belonging training and asynchronous New Employee Orientation.

Note: Interviews might be conducted via Zoom (camera must be enabled). If so, candidates must be able to demonstrate competence using Zoom and other technologies.

Physical Demands

Contact Human Resources at HR@ewu.edu to obtain a copy of the Essential Functions Analysis which will describe conditions of employment.

Protective Equipment

University, local, regional and state mandates for public and personal protection should be followed as needed.

Required Qualifications

• Master's degree or ABD status in anthropology or a related field
• Demonstrated successful teaching experience in anthropology
• Strong communication, leadership, and organizational skills
• Commitment to fostering a supportive and inclusive learning environment

Preferred Qualifications

Preference may be granted to candidates who offer one or more of the following preferred qualifications:

• Doctorate in anthropology or a related field
• Experience with community-based research and/or health-related anthropology
• One or more years of full-time teaching experience
• Experience teaching the course areas listed above

Special Instructions to Applicants

It is strongly recommended that you print a copy of these instructions and the position posting before you begin to complete the online application, as the instructions will not be viewable once you begin the application process.

Required Application Documents:

1. Attach a detailed cover letter in which you explain how you meet each of the required qualifications [and preferred qualifications, if applicable]. It is preferred that you provide the information in a bulleted list or as a table within your cover letter.
2. Current CV
3. Other Document #1: Names and contact information of at least 3 references.
4. Other Document #2: Links to online portfolio of personal work as well as evidence of successful teaching, such as evaluations of teaching or student work.
5. Complete the online application form and respond to the online questions, if applicable.
6. Mission Statement Response - EWU's mission is to provide an inclusive, equitable, and transformative learning experience, driving the pursuit of knowledge with affordable academic excellence. We are committed to serving first-generation, Pell-eligible students. How would you contribute to this mission?

Please do not upload resumes/CVs that include photos of yourself.

Note: Letters of Reference are not required at this time. We reserve the right to request letters of reference at a future date, such as once we have identified interview candidates.

Screening of applications will begin September 18, 2026. All materials will be held in strictest confidence; references will not be contacted until candidates have been notified.

Proposed Job Duties & Responsibilities

The standard teaching load is 15 credits per term. While teaching is the primary responsibility, the position may also include:

• Service on department, college, university, or professional committees
• Research, grant writing, and professional presentations
• Mentoring student projects and participating in community outreach

Teaching assignments will include required and elective courses for anthropology majors as well as general education offerings. Courses may include Cultural Anthropology, Medical Anthropology, Anthropology of Food and Nutrition, Immigrant America, Anthropology of Gender, and Environmental Anthropology, and the department welcomes candidates interested in developing an Anthropology of North America course.

Faculty responsibilities include:

• Meeting all scheduled classes
• Developing and communicating course content, readings, assignments, grading policies, and attendance expectations
• Holding regular office hours
• Submitting grades by established deadlines
• Engaging in effective teaching and ongoing assessment of student learning

To apply, visit https://jobs.ewu.edu/jobs/assistant-lecturer-anthropology-f99196-cheney-washington-united-states