Assistant Professor in Northwest Coast Archaeology in University of Victoria – Canada

Summary

The University of Victoria's Department of Anthropology is seeking a full-time Assistant Professor specializing in Northwest Coast archaeology. The successful candidate will be committed to community-engaged research and experiential learning, with a focus on fostering relationships with Indigenous communities. Responsibilities include developing and teaching an archaeological field school, supervising graduate students, and maintaining an active research program aligned with departmental themes. Applicants must hold a PhD in Anthropology or a related field, completed or expected by the start date of July 1, 2027. The position offers a competitive salary range of $105,000 – $129,000, along with a generous benefits package. Preference will be given to Indigenous persons in accordance with the University’s Equity Plan. The application deadline is October 30, 2026.

Key Facts

Department	Department of Anthropology
Position Type	Assistant Professor
Discipline	Anthropology
Research Area	Northwest Coast archaeology
Degree Required	PhD in Anthropology or closely-related field
Salary	$105000 – $129000
Funding	competitive salary inclusive of a generous benefits package, eligible leaves and pension plan
Deadline	2026-10-30
Required Documents	cover letter, curriculum vitae, evidence of effective teaching skills (e.g., sample syllabi and a brief 1-page max statement of your teaching philosophy), evidence of scholarly activity (two representative publications or works in progress with a brief 1-page max introduction)
Employer Address	University of Victoria, PO Box 1700 STN CSC, Victoria BC V8W 2Y2, Canada
Employer Contact	[email protected], [email protected], [email protected]

About the Project

The successful candidate is expected to have an active or well-formulated plan for a continuing research program that articulates to one or more of the Department of Anthropology's integrative research themes and utilizes its facilities. The department has facilities for archaeological research including the Environmental Archaeology Lab, Zooarchaeology Lab with its Pacific Northwest comparative collection, and two bioarchaeology teaching labs. There is also an additional archaeology lab stewarding legacy collections, with plans for reimagining and refurbishing it for future archaeologists.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and teach a local archaeological field school, preferably situated in the Salish Sea region
• Develop high-quality experiential learning opportunities
• Supervise graduate students in MA and PhD programs
• Provide mentorship to undergraduate Honours and graduate students
• Maintain an active or well-formulated plan for a continuing research program that articulates to one or more of the Department’s integrative research themes and facilities

Required Skills

• Specialization in Northwest Coast archaeology
• Commitment to community-engaged research and experiential learning
• Capacity to develop and teach an archaeological field school
• Commitment to fostering meaningful relationships with Indigenous communities
• Expertise focused on the archaeology of the Northwest Coast
• Capacity and desire to supervise graduate students
• Capacity and desire to provide mentorship to undergraduate Honours and graduate students

Who Should Apply

This position is ideal for a collaborative scholar with expertise in Northwest Coast archaeology, committed to community-engaged research and experiential learning. Candidates should have a strong interest in fostering relationships with Indigenous communities and the capacity to develop and teach an archaeological field school, preferably in the Salish Sea region. The role requires the ability to supervise graduate students and provide mentorship to both undergraduate and graduate students. Applicants should have an active or well-formulated research plan that aligns with the Department of Anthropology's integrative research themes. Preference will be given to Indigenous persons.

Benefits

• Competitive salary range of $105,000 – $129,000
• Generous benefits package
• Eligible leaves
• Pension plan

About the Employer

The Department of Anthropology at the University of Victoria is a three-field department covering socio-cultural anthropology, archaeology, and biological anthropology. Its mission is to contribute to both the academic community and the communities and areas in which it works. The department emphasizes rich experiential learning through active community collaboration, hands-on field courses, and multimodal research outputs. It cultivates a caring, supportive, and collaborative culture, fostering diverse approaches and perspectives. UVic Anthropology offers undergraduate BA and BSc programs, a research-based Honours program, and distinctive MA and PhD degrees with thematic clusters like Space-Place, Knowledge Power, Evolution Ecology, Culture Health Inequality, Visual Anthropology, and Materiality. It has facilities for archaeological research, including the Environmental Archaeology Lab, Zooarchaeology Lab, and bioarchaeology teaching labs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the expected start date for this position?

The expected start date for the position is July 1, 2027, which is negotiable.

Is a PhD required for this position?

Yes, a PhD in Anthropology or a closely-related field is required, either completed or in progress with an expectation of completion by the start date.

What is the salary range for this Assistant Professor position?

The salary range for this position is $105,000 – $129,000.

Are there any preferential hiring considerations for this role?

Yes, in accordance with the University’s Equity Plan and pursuant to Section 42 of the BC Human Rights Code, preference will be given to Indigenous persons. Candidates wishing to qualify must self-identify in their cover letter.

What documents are required for the initial application?

Applicants must submit a cover letter (2-pages maximum), curriculum vitae, evidence of effective teaching skills (e.g., sample syllabi and a brief 1-page max statement of teaching philosophy), and evidence of scholarly activity (two representative publications or works in progress with a brief 1-page max introduction).

When will the application review process begin?

The committee will begin reviewing complete applications on October 30, 2026, and the position will remain open until filled.