Term Faculty in Anthropology

Job Title: Term Faculty in Anthropology

Institution: New Mexico Highlands University 

Location: Las Vegas, New Mexico 

Application Deadline: Open

Start Date: August 2026

Position Summary 

New Mexico Highlands University (NMHU) invites applications for a term faculty member to join the Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Criminal Justice. As a department, we are committed to collaborative engagement with local Native American Tribes to implement the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA). To that end, we seek to hire a bioarcheologist as a term faculty member to manage the Anthropology lab and inventory and assess the state of the NAGPRA collection. Experience teaching undergraduate courses and working with rural college students, particularly among Native American students, or at a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) like NMHU, will be favorably viewed.  

Duties and Responsibilities

• NAGPRA Efforts: Oversee and coordinate all activities related to the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) within the New Mexico Highlands University Anthropology Lab.
• Inventory and Analyze Human Remains: Conduct inventory and perform detailed analysis of human remains housed in the collections.
• Inventory Objects Associated with Funerary Contexts: Catalog and examine objects that are associated with funerary contexts within the collections.
• Determine Cultural Affiliation: Research and identify the cultural affiliation of human remains and associated objects to ensure accurate classification.
• Consult with Native American Tribes: Engage in meaningful consultations with the appropriate Native American Tribes to discuss findings and steps toward repatriation.
• Submit Inventory to National Park Service: Prepare and submit detailed inventory reports to the National Park Service as required by NAGPRA regulations.
• Work with Local Tribes for Repatriation: Collaborate with Native American Tribes to facilitate the repatriation of human remains and associated objects.
• Pursue Independent Research: Develop and conduct independent research projects that align with the faculty member’s academic interests and expertise.
• Supervise Undergraduate Interns: Mentor and oversee undergraduate interns volunteering in the lab, providing guidance and support in their academic and professional development.

• Teach Relevant Courses: Teach two courses each semester that are relevant to the

candidate’s expertise and contribute to the department’s teaching mission. These courses will likely include general (Physical Anthropology and Cultural Anthropology) and specialized topics (Forensic Anthropology/Bioarcheology).

• Dedicate 50% of work hours to administrative management of the Archaeology Lab, including overseeing lab activities, supervising student volunteers, and ensuring proper care and use of collections and equipment. 

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications 

• M.A. in Archaeology, Anthropology, or a closely related field by the time of appointment. 
• Experience in identification, care, and analysis of human osteological collections.
• Experience in museums, repositories, working with collections, specifically legacy collections.
• Evidence of active research program with a focus on North American archaeology.
• The candidate should have a background and strong interest in working with historically marginalized ethno-racial communities, or experience with tribal agencies, state SHPOs, a body of work in Cultural Resource Management (at the federal or private level), Lithic or Ceramic Analysis, or working with skeletal, repository, or legacy collections. 
• A demonstrated commitment to teaching excellence at the undergraduate level, as well as somebody who will contribute to our growing online program in CRM.

Preferred Qualifications

• PhD in Archaeology, Anthropology, or closely related field by the time of appointment.
• Knowledge of NAGPRA regulations for repatriation and consultation with Federally Recognized Indian Tribes.
• Evidence of teaching related to archeology and physical anthropology.  
• Knowledge in Cultural Resource Management, tribal relations, and membership and 

involvement in professional organizations. 

• Commitment to collaborative engagement and ability to build relationships with representatives of Native American stakeholders.
• Adeptness with technology in the classroom, and delivery of on-line/distance 

learning courses. 

• The ability to offer courses in Physical Anthropology, Forensics, Bioarchaeology

• A commitment to interdisciplinary research and collaboration. 

• Experience in managing laboratory facilities and collections. 
• Knowledge of or willingness to learn Southwest/New Mexican history and archaeology.

Special Instructions to Applicant

To apply for this position, please upload your cover letter of application, unofficial copies of undergraduate and graduate transcripts, curriculum vitae, and complete contact information for three (3) professional references. Candidates who are selected for final interviews will be required to send official copies of transcripts, and professional references will be contacted. For more detailed information about the position, contact Dr. Mario Gonzales (mjgonzales@nmhu.edu) or Dr. Kimberly Munro (kmunro@nmhu.edu). New Mexico Highlands University is an EEO employer. 

Salary : $55,000