What are the responsibilities and job description for the Open Rank - Law of Indigenous Peoples Program position at unm?
Position Summary:
The University of New Mexico School of Law (UNM) invites applications for one or more tenured or tenure-track faculty positions with a focus on Indian Law, to begin in the Fall of 2026. We seek candidates with a demonstrated commitment to excellence in teaching, scholarship, and service, who are enthusiastic about training the next generation of lawyers who will work with Indigenous communities.
Successful candidates will teach a range of courses in the Indian Law curriculum. These may include foundational and advanced courses in Federal Indian Law, the legal systems of sovereign tribal nations, international and comparative Indigenous law, and courses at the intersection of Indian Law and other substantive areas of legal practice. The faculty member may also contribute to the broader curriculum of the School of Law, depending on interest and expertise.
This position is a core part of UNM’s Law and Indigenous Peoples Program (the Program), one of the most prominent and comprehensive Indian Law programs in the country. The faculty member will actively participate in the Program, which includes: The Indian Law Certificate Program, which offers students a structured opportunity to specialize in Indian Law, preparing them for legal careers serving Native communities; The Southwest Indian Law Clinic, in which students provide legal representation to Native clients, tribal governments, and organizations that serve Indigenous populations; and The Tribal Law Journal, a student-edited, online legal journal that advances scholarship on Indigenous law and governance in tribal, national, and international contexts.
Depending on experience and interest, the candidate may also have the opportunity to assume leadership roles within the Program. These may include serving as Director of the Law and Indigenous Peoples Program, faculty advisor to the Tribal Law Journal, or faculty advisor to the UNM Chapter of the Native American Law Students Association (NALSA).
The University of New Mexico School of Law has long been recognized for its deep institutional commitment to Indian Law, tribal sovereignty, and Indigenous rights. UNM Law has one of the highest percentages of Native American students and faculty in the country and has built a national reputation for fostering close relationships between faculty and students, innovative and collaborative pedagogy, and a strong emphasis on public service and community engagement. The Law School offers a supportive scholarly environment, a robust mentorship culture, and a 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio that facilitates meaningful engagement between faculty and students.
As a public institution serving the state of New Mexico and its many sovereign tribal nations, we especially value candidates who demonstrate a commitment to cultivating an understanding of the rich and varied cultures of New Mexico and to the success of the university's mission to serve local and global communities.