Endowed Gillian Tett Professor of Applied Anthropology

The Pennsylvania State University; State College (Centre County); On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

75% tuition discount

Retirement plans

Medical coverage

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

Job summary

The Penn State Department of Anthropology invites applications for the endowed Gillian Tett Professor of Applied Anthropology, a full‑time tenure‑track position at the rank of Associate or Full Professor to begin Fall 2027 with flexibility. The appointee will lead a new Applied Anthropology Initiative and expand our external engagement and translational impact.

The successful candidate will demonstrate excellence in research, teaching, and leadership, contribute to course instruction with a 2:1

Qualifications

• PhD in Anthropology or a related field required by appointment date.

Responsibilities

• Lead the new Applied Anthropology Initiative and expand the department's outside engagement and translational impact.
• Teach courses as part of a 2:1 teaching load and participate in service to the university.
• Support student mentorship and training for real‑world roles in industry, government, and non‑profits.
• Coordinate with faculty and external partners to advance faculty hires and program development.

Education

PhD in Anthropology

Job description

Endowed Gillian Tett Professor of Applied Anthropology

POSITION SPECIFICS

The Department of Anthropology at The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA, invites applications for the endowed Gillian Tett Professor of Applied Anthropology – a full-time tenure-track position at the rank of Associate or Full Professor to start Fall 2027, with flexibility.

The Department of Anthropology at Penn State is world-renowned for its basic science leadership in archaeology, biological anthropology, and human ecology. The Department recently commenced a new Applied Anthropology Initiative, focused on supporting and training researchers who use anthropological methods and perspectives and tools to create impact in arenas outside of academia (e.g., for-profit and non-profit companies, government and international organizations, and the non-academic public). The initiative aims to i) emphasize direct action and practice alongside empirical research, ii) integrate with the existing strengths of our department, and iii) provide faculty and students with the tools necessary to inspire and generate impact.

The Gillian Tett Professor of Applied Anthropology will lead this new initiative. This person will expand our existing basic science strengths and add an expanded focus on external engagement and translational, real-world impact, leveraging their practical experience or experience with applied theory. A successful candidate will share our above vision for the Applied Anthropology Initiative and be able to:

• Bridge knowledge and theory development with direct, impactful application;
• Embrace empirical, scientific approaches to applied anthropology with integration with archaeology, biological anthropology, and/or human ecology;
• Facilitate engagement in our Applied Anthropology Initiative with core faculty and other faculty and organizations across the University;
• Maintain regular interactions in axes external to academic anthropology, such as corporate, government, development, NGO, community, and other non-academic public arenas;
• Train students for real-world roles across the applied anthropology/organizational landscape; and
• Drive forward our vision for additional core faculty hires in applied anthropology and ongoing program development.

This position will also include course instruction as well as normal university service. The teaching load for this position during the academic year is 2:1, and onsite teaching is an essential function of this job.

A Ph.D. in Anthropology or a related field is required by the appointment date for both Ranks.

Candidates for Associate Professor of Anthropology must have demonstrated excellence as a researcher, scholar, and teacher in anthropology or a relevant field, and have an established reputation in scholarly achievement. Duties will involve a combination of teaching, research, and service, based on the candidate's qualifications and the needs of the department.

Candidates for Professor of Anthropology must have demonstrated excellence as a researcher, scholar and teacher in anthropology or a relevant field, and demonstrate evidence of a substantial record of advanced research as well as leadership in their field of specialization. Duties will involve a combination of teaching, research, and service, based on the candidate's qualifications and the needs of the department.

Visit our website at anth.la.psu.edu for more information on the Department of Anthropology.

BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES

Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.

BENEFITS

Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional wellbeing. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children.

For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page. (Note: For Postdoctoral benefits, please see our Postdoctoral Benefits page.)

CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.

EEO IS THE LAW

Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.

Penn State is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university's teaching, research, and service mission.