Assistant/Associate Professor of Ethnic Studies (Native & Indigenous Studies)

Western Washington U; Bellingham (WA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Western Washington University seeks a tenure-track faculty member in Native and Indigenous Studies at the Assistant or Associate Professor rank, beginning Fall 2027. The hire will teach across undergraduate courses, engage with Indigenous communities, and contribute to building the Ethnic Studies department within a collaborative, inclusive environment.

The role emphasizes community-engaged scholarship, teaching excellence, and service to the department, college, and profession.

Qualifications

• PhD at time of application in American Indian, Native American, Indigenous Studies, Ethnic Studies, or related field.
• Proven ability to teach introductory and advanced theory and methods courses (undergraduate).
• Scholarly publication record and dissemination in peer-reviewed venues.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse students to foster inclusive learning environments.
• Ability to collaborate with diverse colleagues in culturally responsive ways.
• For Associate level, evidence of significant research and teaching for promotion.

Responsibilities

• Teach introductory and advanced undergraduate courses in Native and Indigenous Studies and Ethnic Studies.
• Engage in scholarly activity and service to department, college, and university.
• Contribute to building a new department with equitable and inclusive mentoring.
• Fulfill standard teaching load (2-2-2 quarter system) and community-engaged scholarship.

Skills

Teaching theory & methods

Diversity & inclusion focus

Collaborative work with diverse teams

Community-engaged scholarship

Scholarly dissemination & peer review

Education

PhD in American Indian / Indigenous Studies / Ethnic Studies

Job description

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About the University

Western Washington University, with over 15,000 students in seven colleges and the graduate school, is nationally recognized for its educational programs, students and faculty. The campus is located in Bellingham, Washington, a coastal community of 90,000 overlooking Bellingham Bay, the San Juan Islands and the North Cascades Mountain range. The city lies 90 miles north of Seattle and 60 miles south of Vancouver, British Columbia. Western Washington University has additional sites in Anacortes, Bremerton, Everett, Port Angeles, and Poulsbo. Western is recognized nationally for its successes, such as being named one of the top public master's-granting institutions in the Pacific Northwest for 25 years in a row by U.S. News & World Report.

Western Washington University is committed to achieving excellence through advancing inclusive success, increasing our Washington impact, and focusing on transformational education grounded in the liberal arts and sciences and based on innovative scholarship, research, and creative activity. Western's greatest strength is the outstanding students, faculty, staff, and alumni/ae who make up its community. Western supports an inclusive governance structure for all and provides a learning and working environment in which everyone can thrive. In pursuit of this excellence, individual employees are expected to establish and maintain productive and effective inclusive working relationships amongst diverse populations including staff, faculty, administration, student, and external constituents. Further, individual employees are expected to have the ability to operationalize sustainability concepts (economic, societal, environmental) into all aspects of performing their job duties.

About the Department

The College of Humanities and Social Sciences and the Department of Ethnic Studies support Western's mission, which states that together with our students, staff, and faculty, we are committed to making a positive impact in the state and the world with a shared focus on academic excellence and inclusive achievement. We encourage applications from women, people of color, people with disabilities, veterans, and other candidates from underrepresented backgrounds and with diverse experiences interested in this opportunity.

The Ethnic Studies Department at Western Washington University centers the histories, epistemologies and lived experiences of minoritized peoples and Indigenous Nations. Our approach is intersectional and transnational while highlighting the unique perspectives, contributions, and knowledges of Black, Indigenous, People of Color, and other minoritized communities. Our courses challenge systems of power and oppression, and advance liberation, emancipation, and self-determining future.

For more information about the department, see the website at https://chss.wwu.edu/ethnic-studies.

The Department of Ethnic Studies at Western Washington University is inviting applications for a tenure-track position at the rank of Assistant or Associate Professor in Native and Indigenous Studies, beginning Fall 2027.

We seek a community-engaged interdisciplinary candidate who combines scholarly work on pressing Indigenous issues with a demonstrated record of deep commitments to Native American communities. We are especially interested in scholars whose teaching, research, and scholarship engage one or more of the following: Native sovereignty, food sovereignty, activism, environmental justice, Native ecologies, tribal governance, cultural revitalization, alternative epistemologies. We are open to all disciplines.

The successful applicant will be well qualified to teach introductory and advanced undergraduate courses in Native and Indigenous Studies and Ethnic Studies and will participate in the collaborative building of our new department. Additional responsibilities include standard quarter-system teaching assignment (2-2-2); exemplary teaching; active program of scholarly activity; service to the department, college, university, and profession through a range of activities. The successful candidate will be expected to fulfill teaching and mentoring responsibilities in ways that provide equitable and inclusive learning environments for all students and will offer a strong record of community-engaged scholarship and research ethics.

Required Qualifications

• PhD at time of application in American Indian, Native American, Indigenous Studies, Ethnic Studies, or other relevant field in the Humanities and/or Social Sciences.
• A demonstrated ability to teach introductory and advanced theory and methods courses (undergraduate).
• A demonstrated research record that leads to publication in peer-reviewed journals and/or other forms of scholarly dissemination.
• A demonstrated ability to work effectively with diverse students and cultivate learning environments that are equitable and inclusive of students with diverse social identities and backgrounds.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse colleagues, including a demonstrated ability and commitment to healthy communication and collaborative work practices that are culturally-responsive and appropriate.
• For appointment at the Associate Professor level (tenure track), demonstrated significant research and evidence of successful teaching commensurate with standards for promotion to Associate Professor in the Department, College, and University.

Preferred Qualifications

• A commitment to building a strong Ethnic Studies Department through curriculum development as well as demonstrated leadership.
• Additional expertise in the Pacific Northwest.
• Demonstrated commitment to collaborative and community-engaged research.

Conditions of Employment

All employees must comply with our Immunization policies, including Proof of Rubeola Measles Immunity within 60-days of hire. Please reach out to [e-mail] if you need information regarding medical or religious exemption and applicable accommodations.

The anticipated starting salary range for assistant professor appointment, tenure-track is generally between $71,500 – $74,500, with placement within the position’s salary range being based on qualifications and professional experience. The entire salary range for the assistant professor position is $71,500 - $86,366, with the upper end of the salary range typically being achieved through collectively bargained salary adjustments.

The starting salary range for associate professor appointment, tenure-track is generally between $80,000-$85,000. The entire salary range for the associate professor position is $80,000-$98,538.

In accordance with RCW 49.58.110 , the entire salary ranges provided above reflect the anticipated full salary range in the position at the given rank, with progression in ranks occurring as outlined in the University’s tenure and promotion process, per the collective bargaining agreement.

Relocation assistance may be available per University guidelines and dependent on available budget. Salary and Start-up funds are to be determined upon being offered the position.

Closing Date Notes

Application review begins October 26, 2026; position is open until filled.

Western Washington University (WWU) is an equal opportunity employer. In compliance with applicable laws, WWU does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, age, citizenship or immigration status, pregnancy, use of protective leave, genetic status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, creed, religion, veteran or military status, disability or the use of a trained guide dog or service animal (including a service animal in training) by a person with a disability, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law, in its programs or activities, including employment, admissions, and educational programs. See WWU’s Policies on Prohibiting Discrimination Based on A Protected Class and Prohibiting Discrimination Based on Sex . Inquiries may be directed to the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance, Title IX and ADA Coordinator, Western Washington University, Old Main 126 (MS 9021), 516 High Street, Bellingham, WA 98225;360.650.3307(voice) or 711 (Washington Relay);[e-mail]

WWU is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. To request this document in an alternate format or to request an accommodation, please contact Human Resources Disability Services ,360.650.3751or 711 (Washington Relay).

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All new employees must comply with the immunization policy and show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Service before beginning work at WWU. A thorough background check will be conducted on all new hires and rehires, which includes asexual misconduct background check .