Open-rank Curator and Professor of Biological Anthropology

Department: Anthropology - 010

Classification Title

The Division of Anthropology at the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) seeks an outstanding colleague to join the Museum on or after July 1, 2027. This is an open rank tenure-track or tenured appointment, to be filled at the level of Assistant Curator/Assistant Professor, Associate Curator/Associate Professor, or Curator/Professor.

We seek a biological anthropologist with an innovative research program centering on the evolutionary history of humans and/or other primates that advances our understanding of human origins. Areas of expertise may include, but are not limited to, the paleobiology and paleoecology of hominins and closely related lineages, the evolution of characteristics that distinguish humans from other animals, and the evolution and patterning of biological aspects of diversity within the human lineage. Methodological focus should include fieldwork and combinations of laboratory work, theoretical modeling, novel imaging and advanced computation, and other methods. Research that advances or engages with recent advances in human evolutionary genetics, paleoproteomics, and/or analyses of large comparative datasets would be considered an asset. We also welcome research that explores how insights from human evolutionary history can inform contemporary societal challenges, including climate change, environmental degradation, sociopolitical transformations, migration, and conflict. (For candidates working on contemporary human biology, please note that the Museum no longer acquires human remains.)

In addition to scientific excellence, the ideal candidate will have demonstrated a successful record of, or clear potential for, community partnerships and public engagement, and have an interest in growing these in the Museum setting: via exhibitions, education, and outreach. The ideal candidate will also have an interdisciplinary research profile that fosters collaborations across the Museum’s biological and physical sciences. The curatorial responsibilities associated with this position provide exceptional opportunities to support and expand an active international field research program.

Position Summary

This is an open rank appointment, with rank and tenure determined by the candidate’s experience and accomplishments. Senior candidates appointed with tenure should demonstrate a distinguished scholarly record and documented leadership experience. The AMNH maintains world-class anthropological collections consisting of over 250,000 ethnographic and archaeological objects from the Americas, Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Pacific Islands, in addition to extensive biological collections. Curators are expected to maintain a high level of productivity in original research, secure extramural funding, and oversee collections relevant to their expertise. The successful candidate will also provide curatorial and scientific oversight for the iconic AMNH Anne and Bernard Spitzer Hall of Human Origins (https://www.amnh.org/exhibitions/permanent/human-origins).

Additional responsibilities may include mentoring graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, teaching in the Museum’s Richard Gilder Graduate School doctoral program in Comparative Biology, serving on committees, and contributing to exhibitions and public programs.

The AMNH is a recognized leader in scientific research, graduate education, and public education about science and the natural world. Resources available at AMNH include dedicated staff to support repatriation and compliance through our Cultural Resources Office; professional conservators with expertise in organic and ethnographic materials; a research library with rare holdings; the Center for Biodiversity and Conservation; genomic, including historic and ancient biomolecular, laboratories; high-performance computing facilities; and a wide range of optical, electron beam, and X-ray analytical tools, including CT scanning. The AMNH maintains active internal grant programs to support field research. The successful applicant will have the opportunity to build on existing relationships with nearby collaborating institutions including Columbia University and the City University of New York.

The expected salary range for the Open-Rank Curator and Professor of Biological Anthropology is $125,000 – 200,000.

Pay will be determined based on several factors. The hiring range for the position at commencement is based on the type of work and the scope of responsibilities. The salary and placement offered is based on a number of individualized factors, including, but not limited to, skills, knowledge, training, education, credentials, areas of specialization and depth and scope of experience.

Required Qualifications: Candidates must hold a doctoral degree in Anthropology or related field at the time of application submission.

Category: Full-time

Total Number of Scheduled Hours Per Pay Period: 70

Union Status: Non-Union

FLSA: Exempt

Expected salary minimum: $125,000/annual
Expected salary maximum: $200,000/annual

EEO Statement

The American Museum of Natural History is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The Museum does not discriminate with respect to employment, or admission or access to Museum facilities, programs or activities on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, marital status, partnership status, gender (including sexual harassment), sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, pregnancy and lactation accommodations, alienage or citizenship status, current or former participation in the uniformed services, status as a veteran, caregiver, pre-employment marijuana testing, sexual and reproductive health decisions, salary history, national or ethnic origin, height, weight, or on account of any other basis prohibited by applicable City, State, or Federal law. Additional protections are afforded in employment based on arrest or conviction record, status as a victim of domestic violence, stalking and sex offenses, unemployment status, and credit history, in each case to the extent provided by law.

Quick Link: https://careers.amnh.org/postings/4873

Posting Detail Information
Posting Number: FA016P
Open Date: 07/31/2026
Close Date:
Open Until Filled: Yes

Special Instructions to Applicants

Application materials should include:
Cover letter (maximum one page)
Curriculum vitae
Research statement, including past achievements and future plans (maximum three pages) Curatorial service statement, describing your vision for service to collections, exhibitions, teaching, and public engagement (maximum three pages)
Names and contact information for three references
PDFs of three to five publications that best represent your work
Application materials should be submitted as a single PDF under “Other Document”, except for publication PDFs, which can be submitted under “Publications”. Publications may be submitted as a file share link/folder if the size exceeds 10MB.

Inquiries about the position should be directed to Michelle Young (myoung@amnh.org) and John Bunce (jbunce@amnh.org). Consideration of applications will begin September 15, 2026, but applications will continue to be accepted after this date. Applications should be submitted through the AMNH career portal: https://careers.amnh.org/

W3-Professur für Early Prehistory (m/w/d) / W3-Professorship in Early Prehistory at the Department of Geosciences

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Der/Die zukünftige Stelleninhaber/-in sollte langfristige Forschungsarbeiten im Bereich der paläolithischen/steinzeitlichen Archäologie durchgeführt haben, mit geografischem Schwerpunkt in Afrika und/oder Eurasien. Erwartet werden ein fundierter Hintergrund in der lithischen Technologie und Erfahrung in der Leitung von Feldarbeiten sowie analytische und quantitative Fähigkeiten bei der Untersuchung von Artefaktansammlungen. Erfahrung in Wissenschaftskommunikation und Öffentlichkeitsarbeit ist wünschenswert. Der erfolgreiche Kandidat/die erfolgreiche Kandidatin wird eine aktive Rolle im Exzellenzcluster „Human Origins“ übernehmen und dabei die bestehenden Stärken ergänzen und ausbauen, einschließlich neuer geografischer Gebiete/chronologischer Zeiträume. Mögliche Forschungsschwerpunkte sind unter anderem fundplatzbasierte und regionale Siedlungsdynamik, Subsistenz, Mobilität, soziale und wirtschaftliche Beziehungen, computergestützte bildgebende und morphometrische Verfahren zur Erforschung der materiellen Kultur, Kenntnisse in der techno-funktionalen Analyse, ein Schwerpunkt auf organischen Artefakten oder Ansätze der experimentellen Archäologie.

Der Fachbereich Geowissenschaften verlangt Lehrtätigkeit in den Bachelor- und Masterstudiengängen, u.a. in den Bereichen frühe Urgeschichte und Steinzeitarchäologie, Artefaktanalyse und menschliche Evolution. Der/die erfolgreiche Kandidat/-in wird in das Senckenberg Centre for Human Evolution and Paleoenvironment (SHEP) integriert und soll mit Kolleg/-innen aus den Geowissenschaften und verwandten archäologischen Fachgebieten zusammenarbeiten.

Einstellungsvoraussetzung ist die Habilitation oder eine gleichwertige Qualifikation sowie nachgewiesene didaktische Eignung, internationale Forschung und Erfahrung in der Akquisition und Durchführung von nationalen und internationalen Drittmittelprojekten sind ebenfalls erforderlich.

Der/Die zukünftige Stelleninhaber/-in wird in einem sehr kollegialen und familienfreundlichen Arbeitsumfeld tätig sein.

Die Universität Tübingen setzt sich für die Ziele der Gleichstellung und Diversität ein und fördert aktiv Chancengleichheit. Zur Erhöhung des Anteils von Frauen in Forschung und Lehre bitten wir qualifizierte Wissenschaftlerinnen nachdrücklich um ihre Bewerbung. Qualifizierte internationale Wissenschaftlerinnen und Wissenschaftler sind ausdrücklich aufgefordert, sich zu bewerben.

Schwerbehinderte Menschen werden bei gleicher Eignung bevorzugt berücksichtigt.

Bitte reichen Sie Ihre Bewerbungsunterlagen über das Bewerbungsportal der Universität Tübingen unter https://berufungen.uni-tuebingen.de bis zum 02.10.2026 ein. Rückfragen zur Ausschreibung und Fragen zum Bewerbungsportal können an den Dekan der Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftlichen Fakultät der Universität Tübingen, Prof. Dr. Thilo Stehle (career@mnf.uni-tuebingen.de), gerichtet werden.

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The preferred candidate should have carried out long-term research in Paleolithic / Stone Age Archaeology, with a geographic focus in Africa and / or Eurasia. A strong background in lithic technology, experience in directing fieldwork and a broad outlook are expected, as are analytical and quantitative skills in the study of artifact assemblages. Experience in science communication and public outreach is desirable. The successful candidate will take an active role in the excellence cluster “Human Origins,” complementing and expanding on existing strengths including new geographical areas/chronological periods. Potential research directions include, but are not limited to, intra-site and regional settlement dynamics, subsistence, mobility, social and economic relationships, computer-based imaging and morphometric skills for the study of material culture, skills in technological and/or functional analysis, organic artifacts, or experimental archaeology approaches.

The Department of Geosciences requires teaching in the bachelor’s and master’s courses of study in areas including early prehistory and Stone Age archaeology, artifact analysis and human evolution. The successful candidate will be integrated into the Senckenberg Centre for Human Evolution and Paleoenvironment (SHEP) and will be expected to collaborate with colleagues in the Geosciences and related archaeological fields.

Required qualifications include a PhD or equivalent degree as well as postdoctoral qualifications and teaching experience equivalent to the requirements of a full professorship. A track record of international research and experience in the acquisition and implementation of national and international third-party funded projects is expected. This includes evidence of teaching effectiveness.

The successful candidate will be working in a highly collegial and family friendly work environment.

The University of Tübingen is committed to equity and diversity and actively promotes equal opportunities. Female academics, in particular, are explicitly invited to apply, as are applicants from outside Germany. Applications from equally qualified candidates with disabilities will be given preference.

General information on professorships, hiring processes, and the German academic system can be found here: https://uni-tuebingen.de/en/213700

Please submit your full application through the application site of the University of Tübingen at https://berufungen.uni-tuebingen.de by 2nd October 2026. Questions concerning the call for applications and the application portal can be directed to the Dean of the Faculty of Science at the University of Tübingen, Professor Dr. Thilo Stehle (career@mnf.uni-tuebingen.de).