Job description
North American Archaeology
College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
The Department of Anthropology at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track Assistant Professor in Archaeology with a target start date of August 16, 2027.
The successful candidate will contribute to the mission of the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences at the University of Illinois, where curiosity drives impact. As the heart of a leading land-grant research university, LAS brings together diverse disciplines to explore fundamental questions and address complex challenges. We prepare students for a lifetime of inquiry, leadership, and service through innovative research, transformative teaching, and thoughtful mentoring. We strongly encourage applications from those who have demonstrated the knowledge, skills, and experience needed to be effective teachers for our student population with its wide range of backgrounds and experiences, in alignment with the mission of our university. To learn more about the mission, vision, and values of the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, visit: https://las.illinois.edu.
Geographic area of research is North America with a preference for an archaeologist working in the Midwest US. Successful candidates will have a demonstrated commitment to Indigenous archaeology and ethical research. Candidates should provide evidence of engaging and collaborating with Indigenous groups and implementing NAGPRA (Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act) principles. Candidates also should identify plans for developing field or lab projects that train students and support research. Candidates will be expected to teach effectively at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, establish and maintain an active and independent archaeological research program that includes plans for peer-reviewed publications, and provide service to the department, the university, and the profession.
PhD in anthropological archaeology, American Indian/Native American/Indigenous studies or a closely related field with a demonstrated specialty in archaeology required. Candidates whose PhD may be delayed but will complete all the Ph. D. requirements within the first appointment year may be appointed at the rank of Instructor. After the Ph. D. requirement is met, the appointment will be changed to Assistant Professor.
Appointment Information
The position is a full-time, 9-month, tenure-track faculty position at the assistant professor level, with an anticipated start date of August 16, 2027. The budgeted salary range for the position is $ $87,500-95,500 at the Assistant Professor level, for a 9-month service basis (paid over 12 months). The pay offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors including (but not limited to) the candidate’s experience and qualifications, as well as equivalent years in rank, training, and field or discipline; internal equity; and external market pay for comparable jobs. It is not typical for a beginning Assistant Professor to be offered a salary at or near the top of the full range for the position. This position will be expected to work at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus on a full-time basis per the University’s Workplace Flexibility policy. This position is eligible for sponsorship for work authorization, except for sponsorship of a new H1B petition that would incur the $100,000 fee.
To find out more about the resources available at the university and Urbana-Champaign community please visit these sites:
Work-life balance and family-friendly programs
The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (www.illinois.edu) is located approximately 120 miles south of Chicago in a metropolitan area of approximately 235,000 people. The campus is home to internationally recognized facilities and interdisciplinary programs including the Center for Indigenous Science (https://www.igb.illinois.edu/research/CIS), Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology (www.igb.illinois.edu), Beckman Institute (www.beckman.illinois.edu), Energy Biosciences Institute (http://energybiosciencesinstitute.org/), W.M. Keck Center for Comparative and Functional Genomics (www.biotech.uiuc.edu/centers/Keck), National Center for Supercomputing Applications (www.ncsa.illinois.edu), and the Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment (https://sustainability.illinois.edu/).
Founded in 1867 as Illinois’s flagship public university, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign empowers a global community of students, scholars, and alumni to change the world through bold, innovative research and transformative education. With a land-grant heritage rooted in progress, Illinois faculty drive paradigm-shifting discoveries, mentor future leaders, and collaborate across 15 colleges and instructional units and more than 20 research institutes. The university’s legacy of excellence includes 24 Nobel Prizes and 29 Pulitzer Prizes awarded to its faculty and alumni, $755 million in sponsored research funding, and 94 academic programs ranked in the top 20 nationally. Illinois offers the resources, recognition, and reach to accelerate your career – along with a highly competitive benefits portfolio. Discover how the Illinois Value Proposition fosters professional longevity, personal fulfillment, and a deep sense of purpose in every role.
Faculty Recruitment
Champaign-Urbana
The University of Illinois must also comply with applicable federal export control laws and regulations and, as such, it reserves the right to employ restricted party screening procedures for applicants.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position; however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.
This position is intended to be eligible for benefits. This includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.
The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.
Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodation portal, or by contacting the Office for Access & Equity at 217-333-0885, option #1, or [email protected].
Requisition ID: 1038184
Job Category: Faculty
How to apply
To apply, create your candidate profile through https://jobs.illinois.edu and submit application materials. Applicants should upload a letter of application, curriculum vitae, up to three publications, a research statement that includes experience with and plans for collaborations with tribes and a list of teaching interests and teaching experience, two sample syllabi, and contact information for three professional references. Letters of recommendation may be requested from referees at a later date.
We ask that all documents be uploaded in a single .pdf file in the “Resume/CV” section.
To ensure full consideration, applications should be received by 6pm (CST) on October 20, 2026.
Questions about the position may be directed to Professor Lisa J. Lucero at [email protected].
Questions regarding the application materials may be directed to [email protected]
Questions regarding the application portal can be directed to 217-333-2137 or [email protected]
The University of Illinois is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. The administration, faculty and staff embrace diversity and are committed to attracting qualified candidates who also embrace and value diversity and inclusivity.
