Assistant Professor of American Indian Studies

California State University, Long Beach; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 159,000; Full time

Job summary

California State University, Long Beach invites applications for an Assistant Professor of American Indian Studies in the College of Liberal Arts. The position is tenure-track with responsibilities across teaching, research, and service, effective Fall 2027.

Candidates must demonstrate expertise in Indigenous studies and Tribal community-engaged scholarship, and be prepared to contribute to AIS curriculum and partnerships with Tribal Nations.

Qualifications

• Ph.D., Ed.D., MFA, JD, or other terminal degree in AIS or related field (by Aug 1, 2027).
• Demonstrated academic expertise in AIS and Indigenous Studies.
• Research and teaching in Tribal community-engaged research.
• Experience with community-engaged scholarship with Tribal Nations or Indigenous communities.
• Commitment to reciprocity, Tribal sovereignty, and community-defined priorities.

Responsibilities

• Teach lower- and upper-division AIS courses.
• Teach AIS core courses and cross-listed Gen Ed offerings.
• Develop AIS courses supporting the AIS Minor and Certificate.
• Contribute to curriculum design and program review.
• Maintain an active research program in Tribal community-engaged scholarship.
• Advise and mentor students, support Native student pathways.
• Engage in AIS governance and program development.
• Foster partnerships with Tribal Nations and Indigenous communities.

Skills

Community-engaged research

Indigenous studies expertise

Curriculum development

Education

Ph.D. in American Indian Studies or related field

Job description

Assistant Professor of American Indian Studies

Job No: 563450

Work Type: Instructional Faculty –
Tenured/Tenure-Track

Location: Southern California: Long Beach

Categories: Bargaining Unit: Unit 3 - CFA - California
Faculty Association, Job Search Category/Discipline: Faculty -
Letters/Humanities, Appointment Type: Tenured/Tenure-Track, Time
Basis: Full Time

Position: Assistant Professor of American Indian
Studies

Effective Date: August 17, 2027 (Fall
Semester)

Salary Range: The Assistant Professor (2027-2028) classification salary is $74,652 to $158,688/year; $6,221 to
$13,224/per month (12 monthly payments per academic year). The anticipated hiring range is $86,000 to $90,000/per year; $7,167 to
$7,500/per month (12 monthly payments per academic year). Salary offered is commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Application Deadline: Review of applications to begin December 14, 2026. Position opened until filled (or recruitment canceled)

California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) is located within the ancient
Tongva/Gabrieleno village of Puvungna, the gathering place. CSULB is a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) and an Asian American and
Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI).
CSULB earned the prestigious Seal of Excelencia in 2023, joining a distinctive group of colleges and universities who have been recognized for its commitment to Latine/x student success. CSULB is committed to serving diverse students and has established and actively supports the Black Excellence Collegium, dedicated to promoting Black excellence and advancing Black Student Success, and
El Concilio for Latinx Success at the Beach, whose mission is to build capacity and promote inclusive servingness across initiatives and efforts for the benefit of all students. The President's Equity and Change Commission is dedicated to achieving inclusive excellence in our community and culture and throughout the university. CSULB's
Beach 2030 University Action Plans prioritize engaging all students; expanding access to higher education; promoting intellectual achievement; building community; and cultivating resilience.

College of
Liberal Arts

Program in American Indian Studies

Required Qualifications:

• Ph.D., Ed.D., MFA, JD, or other appropriate terminal degree in American Indian Studies, Native American Studies, Indigenous Studies, Ethnic Studies, or a related discipline. Degree at time of application or official notification of completion by August 1, 2027.
• Demonstrated academic expertise in American Indian, Native American, First Nations, and/or Indigenous Studies
• Research and teaching specialization in Tribal community-engaged research
• Demonstrated experience in community‑engaged, applied, or public scholarship conducted in partnership with Tribal Nations, Indigenous communities, or Native-serving organizations
• Demonstrated commitment to research practices grounded in reciprocity, respect for Tribal sovereignty, and accountability to community‑defined priorities
• Ability to develop and teach curriculum focused on applied and community‑engaged research, including Indigenous research methodologies and the ethics of research with Tribal communities
• Evidence of, or clear potential for, a sustained research agenda in Tribal community‑engaged research leading to peer‑reviewed publication, public scholarship, and/or creative activities of value to partner communities
• Ability to mentor students in community‑engaged research and to create opportunities for them to take part in collaborative projects with Tribal and community partners
• Demonstrated commitment to working successfully with a diverse student population, including low socioeconomic and first‑generation students

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience teaching or developing courses in community‑engaged or applied research methods
• Familiarity with Tribal research protocols, Tribal IRBs, or Indigenous data governance frameworks
• Experience building or sustaining partnerships with California Tribal Nations or urban Indigenous communities, including in the Southern California region
• Record of, or clear potential for, external funding to support community‑engaged research
• Experience with community‑engaged‑scholarship involving other community‑based institutions
• Demonstrated excellence in teaching American Indian, Native American, First Nations, and/or Indigenous Studies at the college or university level
• Experience successfully working with populations demographically and/or socioeconomically similar to the CSULB student body. Experience mentoring or supporting students using inclusive and culturally relevant teaching strategies in a diverse classroom

Duties:

• Teach lower‑ and upper‑division courses in American Indian Studies
• Teach core AIS courses, including general education offerings such as AIS 119, Introduction to Race and Ethnic Studies, a comparative ethnic studies course cross listed with Africana Studies, Chicano/a Latino/a Studies, and Asian American Studies at CSULB, as appropriate.
• Teach and develop upper‑division courses that support the AIS Minor and Certificate
• Develop courses in the candidate area(s) of expertise
• Contribute to the design and implementation of a future BA curriculum in American Indian Studies
• Participate in curriculum development, assessment, and program review
• Maintain an active program of research, scholarly and/or creative activity appropriate to rank and discipline
• Advise and mentor students
• Support Native student recruitment, retention, academic success, and pathways into the AIS Minor, Certificate, and future degree programs
• Participate in AIS shared governance and service appropriate to rank
• Contribute to the long‑term development and sustainability of the American Indian Studies Program
• Develop interdisciplinary collaborations within CLA and across CSULB
• Build or strengthen reciprocal relationships with Tribal Nations, Indigenous communities, Native‑serving institutions, and other relevant partners, as appropriate to the candidate's expertise
• Contribute, where appropriate, to grant proposal development, external partnerships, internships, experiential learning, community‑engaged research, or other program‑building activities
• Teach in various modes of instruction that include in-person, hybrid, online, asynchronous, and/or combinations thereof.
• Experience developing curriculum, degree programs, certificates, academic pathways, or new courses
• Capacity to contribute to development of a future BA in American Indian Studies and the long‑term institutional development of AIS Program and Institutional Context

AIS Program and Institutional Context
The
American Indian Studies Program at California State University,
Long Beach is one of the oldest American Indian Studies programs in the United States and the oldest in the California State University system. AIS currently offers a Minor and Certificate and is engaged in long-term planning toward development of a BA in American Indian
Studies and future departmental status.

CSULB is located in Puvungna, a place of continuing cultural, spiritual, historical, and political significance to Tongva and
Acjachemen peoples and other Southern California Native communities. AIS faculty engage questions of Tribal sovereignty,
Indigenous knowledge, California Indian histories and contemporary experiences, including with the largest urban American Indian population in the US.

CSULB seeks to recruit faculty who enthusiastically support the
University's strong commitment to the academic success of all of our students, including students with disabilities, students who are first generation to college, veterans, students with diverse socio-economic backgrounds, and students of diverse sexual orientations and gender expressions. CSULB seeks to recruit and retain a diverse workforce as a reflection of our commitment to serve the People of California, to maintain the excellence of the
University, and to offer our students a rich variety of expertise, perspectives, and ways of knowing and learning.

Information on excellent benefits package available to CSULB faculty is located here:
CSU Employee Benefits.

EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS:
A background check
(including a criminal records check and telephone reference check with most recent employer) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate can be offered a position with the CSU. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the application status of applicants or continued employment of current
CSU employees who apply for the position.

Applicants will be required to disclose whether they have received a final administrative decision or final judicial decision determining that they have committed sexual harassment within the last 7 years only after a determination is made that they meet the minimum qualifications for the position, and before an offer of employment is extended. Applicants who reach the final stages of the application process must also sign a release form that authorizes the release of information by the applicant's current and/or former employers to the CSU concerning any substantiated allegations of misconduct.

The person holding this position is considered a "mandated reporter" under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting
Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in
CSU Executive Order 1083 Revised July 21, 2017, as a condition of employment.

Pursuant to the CSU Out of State Employment Policy, hiring employees to perform CSU-related work outside of California is prohibited effective January 1, 2022. By prohibiting employment outside of California, the CSU also prohibits hiring and retaining employees working permanently from a business location outside of the United States. Exceptions to the Policy are limited to approved and documented purposes for conducting CSU business outside of
California.

All employees who assign and/or oversee work are responsible for ensuring that compliant work controls and procedures consistent with Federal, State and local regulations and University policies are implemented and maintained to provide for the protection of individuals and to safeguard the environment. Everyone is expected to comply with applicable Environmental Health and Safety regulations and University policies, programs and procedures. For more information, the systemwide policy can be found at https://calstate.policystat.com/policy/18172024/latest/ and questions may be sent to [e-mail].

All university program and activities are open and available to all regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin.
Consistent with CSU's Nondiscrimination Policy, as well as state and federal law, CSULB provides equal opportunity in education and employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin.
To access CSULB's full statement on Equal Opportunity and
Excellence in Education and Employment, please visit Equity and
Compliance.