UMN search for a Biological Anthropologist in 2025-2026

About the Position

The Department of Anthropology in the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track position in paleoanthropology beginning fall semester 2026. We seek scholars at the forefront of biological anthropology who apply scientific approaches, broadly conceived, to address anthropological questions related to the evolution and variation of humans and/or hominin ancestors. Potential research areas include the hominin fossil record and skeletal anatomy, biomechanics and functional morphology, or evolutionary approaches to human adaptations. The appointment is 100% time over the nine-month academic year (late August to late May) and will be made at the rank of tenure-track Assistant Professor, depending on qualifications and experience, in accordance with collegiate and University policy.

Faculty in the Department of Anthropology are expected to maintain an active program of scholarly research or creative activity, including publications; teach undergraduate and graduate courses; advise students; seek extramural funding; and contribute appropriate service to the department, college, university, and profession. The successful candidate will teach two courses per semester, including participation in the teaching rotation for a large introductory course in biological anthropology, and will develop undergraduate and graduate courses in their area of expertise. We are particularly interested in candidates whose work enhances diversity in the department, complements and extends existing expertise in biological anthropology, and engages with the four fields of anthropology.

The Standards for Promotion and Tenure in the Department of Anthropology are available at: https://z.umn.edu/AnthStandardsPromotionTenure

The Workload Principles and Guidelines for Regular Faculty in the College of Liberal Arts are available at: https://z.umn.edu/CLAFacultyWorkloadPrinciplesGuidelines

State law requires a good faith estimate of the salary range for all advertised positions. The range for this position is $75,000 to $150,000, depending on discipline, experience, and other considerations. Faculty positions include significant start-up funds, as well as retirement, health, and other benefits.

Qualifications

• Required: Ph.D. in anthropology or a closely related field in hand at the time of appointment.
• Preferred: Evidence of research, including postdoctoral or equivalent experience, in biological anthropology, specifically in paleoanthropology, functional anatomy, or related areas.

Candidates will be evaluated on the quality of their academic preparation, the strength and relevance of their research to departmental priorities and the field, evidence of teaching commitment and skill, and the quality of recommendations. The successful applicant will contribute at all levels of the undergraduate and graduate programs.

How to Apply

Priority deadline: 17 October 2025. The position will remain open until filled. Applications must be submitted online. To apply, click the Apply button on the job posting and follow the application instructions.

Required documents must be uploaded to your “My Job Applications” page. They can also be added after submission by exiting and re-entering the Job Center, accessing “My Job Applications,” and uploading documents there. The following materials must be included:

1. Cover letter
2. Curriculum vitae
3. Research statement
4. Teaching statement
5. Names, addresses, and email contact information for three references (uploaded as a separate attachment in “My Job Applications”)

Additional materials may be requested at a later stage of the search.

Questions may be directed to the search committee chair, Michelle Brown, at brow7100@umn.edu.

Independent Junior Research Group Leader (m/f/d, 100%) Faculty of Science, Cluster of Excellence "Human Origins"

The Cluster of Excellence HUMAN ORIGINS invites applications for an

Independent Junior Research Group Leader (m/f/d, TV-L E14, 100%)

Field: genotype-phenotype interactions, to promote understanding of the genetic mechanisms affecting past and present observable traits. Start date: 1 January 2026. Fixed term: five years.

Requirements

• PhD in Genetics, Anthropology, Evolutionary Biology, or a related field.
• Postdoctoral experience and an outstanding research record.
• Focus on extant and extinct hominins for which both present-day and ancient DNA data are available, analysed alongside fossil morphology to investigate evolutionary processes leading to major biological transformations in human evolution.
• Excellent publication record and proven success in third-party funding.
• Clear relevance of research to human evolution.
• Strong interdisciplinary agenda and a vision for building a research group aligned with the Cluster’s goals.
• Willingness to contribute to Cluster activities (symposia, colloquia, retreats) and to develop collaborations with Cluster PIs and projects.

What we offer

• Salary funds for one doctoral researcher (four years) and operational costs.
• Opportunities for collaborative research, state-of-the-art laboratories, and access to a wide range of facilities.

About the Cluster

The “Human Origins: Excellence Cluster of Integrative Human Origins Studies” at the University of Tübingen focuses on a comprehensive, bio-cultural investigation of human evolution, integrating diverse disciplines across the last 5 million years. The Cluster will commence on 1 January 2026.

Equal opportunity

The University seeks to increase the number of women in research and teaching and strongly encourages applications from qualified women. The University of Tübingen is committed to equity and diversity and actively promotes equal opportunities. Disabled candidates will be given preference if equally qualified.

Application

Deadline: 10 September 2025.

Please submit a single PDF file (max. 10 MB) by email to Agnes Fatz (agnes.fatz@uni-tuebingen.de) with the following:

1. Statement of research achievements and future directions (max. 3 pages).
2. Curriculum vitae with publication list.
3. Certificates/diplomas.
4. Reprints of up to five key publications.
5. Names and contact information of three referees.

Independent Junior Research Group Leader (m/f/d, 100%) Faculty of Science, Cluster of Excellence "Human Origins"

The Cluster of Excellence HUMAN ORIGINS invites applications for an

Independent Junior Research Group Leader (m/f/d, TV-L E14, 100%)

Field: experimental archaeology. Start date: 1 January 2026. Fixed term: five years.

Requirements

• PhD in Archaeology, Anthropology, or a related field.
• Postdoctoral experience and an outstanding research record.
• Excellent publication record and proven success in third-party funding.
• Clear relevance of research to human evolution.
• Strong interdisciplinary agenda and a vision for building a research group aligned with the Cluster’s goals.
• Willingness to contribute to Cluster activities (symposia, colloquia, retreats) and to develop collaborations with Cluster PIs and projects.

What we offer

• Salary funds for one doctoral researcher (four years) and operational costs.
• Opportunities for collaborative research, state-of-the-art laboratories, and access to a wide range of facilities.

About the Cluster

The “Human Origins: Excellence Cluster of Integrative Human Origins Studies” at the University of Tübingen focuses on a comprehensive, bio-cultural investigation of human evolution, integrating diverse disciplines across the last 5 million years. The Cluster will commence on 1 January 2026.

Equal opportunity

The University seeks to increase the number of women in research and teaching and strongly encourages applications from qualified women. The University of Tübingen is committed to equity and diversity and actively promotes equal opportunities. Disabled candidates will be given preference if equally qualified.

Application

Deadline: 10 September 2025.

Please submit a single PDF file (max. 10 MB) by email to Agnes Fatz (agnes.fatz@uni-tuebingen.de) with the following:

1. Statement of research achievements and future directions (max. 3 pages).
2. Curriculum vitae with publication list.
3. Certificates/diplomas.
4. Reprints of up to five key publications.
5. Names and contact information of three referees.

Independent Junior Research Group Leader (m/f/d, 100%) Faculty of Science, Cluster of Excellence "Human Origins"

The Cluster of Excellence HUMAN ORIGINS invites applications for an

Independent Junior Research Group Leader (m/f/d, TV-L E14, 100%)

Field: biomechanics. Start date: 1 January 2026. Fixed term: five years.

Requirements

• PhD in Anthropology, Evolutionary Biology, or a related field.
• Postdoctoral experience and an outstanding research record.
• Research spanning the hominin fossil record and extant primates to address adaptations and evolution of the human lineage.
• Excellent publication record and proven success in third-party funding.
• Clear relevance of research to human evolution.
• Strong interdisciplinary agenda and a vision for building a research group aligned with the Cluster’s goals.
• Willingness to contribute to Cluster activities (symposia, colloquia, retreats) and to develop collaborations with Cluster PIs and projects.

What we offer

• Salary funds for one doctoral researcher (four years) and operational costs.
• Opportunities for collaborative research, state-of-the-art laboratories, and access to a wide range of facilities.

About the Cluster

The “Human Origins: Excellence Cluster of Integrative Human Origins Studies” at the University of Tübingen focuses on a comprehensive, bio-cultural investigation of human evolution, integrating diverse disciplines across the last 5 million years. The Cluster will commence on 1 January 2026.

Equal opportunity

The University seeks to increase the number of women in research and teaching and strongly encourages applications from qualified women. The University of Tübingen is committed to equity and diversity and actively promotes equal opportunities. Disabled candidates will be given preference if equally qualified.

Application

Deadline: 10 September 2025.

Please submit a single PDF file (max. 10 MB) by email to Agnes Fatz (agnes.fatz@uni-tuebingen.de) with the following:

1. Statement of research achievements and future directions (max. 3 pages).
2. Curriculum vitae with publication list.
3. Certificates/diplomas.
4. Reprints of up to five key publications.
5. Names and contact information of three referees.