Assistant Professor of Alaska Native Studies and Rural Development

The College of Indigenous Studies at the University of Alaska Fairbanks invites applications for a tripartite faculty position focused on teaching, research, and service in support of Alaska’s rural and Indigenous communities. This position plays a critical role in delivering distance education, mentoring students, and advancing community-engaged rural development across the state.

This position offers the opportunity to teach and mentor undergraduate and graduate students in Rural Development while working closely with Alaska Native and rural communities. Faculty in this role contribute to applied, place-based teaching, supervise student research, and engage in meaningful partnerships with Tribal, nonprofit, and governmental organizations. The position emphasizes distance education, cross-cultural engagement, and scholarship that supports sustainable and culturally grounded rural development in Alaska.

Successful candidates will bring experience working respectfully and collaboratively in rural and Indigenous contexts, along with the ability to teach and advise students from diverse backgrounds. A commitment to community-engaged learning, strong communication skills, and experience with online and distance education are essential. Candidates should be prepared to contribute to program sustainability through teaching, advising, service, and partnerships aligned with rural development priorities.

Minimum Qualifications:

Applicants should have experience sufficient to meet minimum qualifications, including teaching, research, or applied work related to rural, Alaska Native, or Indigenous community development. Relevant experience may include community-engaged scholarship, applied research, program development, policy analysis, or professional practice in areas such as rural development, Indigenous governance, community well-being, land and resource issues, or related social science and humanities fields. Experience working with distance education and mentoring student research is expected.

Ph. D preferred. Applicants must have completed a Master’s degree and demonstrate expertise in teaching distance education courses and guiding student research in fields related to Rural Development and Alaska Native/Indigenous studies. Relevant areas of expertise may include Indigenous knowledge systems, rural community development, Indigenous history, cultural studies, Federal Indian law and policy, the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, community well-being, or comparative studies in Arctic and Circumpolar regions.

Position Details:

This position is located on the University of Alaska campus in Fairbanks, and flexible on-site/hybrid work arrangements may be considered in accordance with UA regulations. This is a 9-month (full-time), tenure-track faculty position complete with both a competitive salary and full employee benefits package. UA provides a generous compensation package that includes retirement options, annual leave, 12 paid holidays per year, tuition waivers for employees and family members, and affordable medical, dental and vision care coverage. Salary is based on education and experience.

Application review will begin on July 6, 2026. To ensure consideration, please submit your application by 11:55 PM Alaska Standard Time on July 5, 2026.

The following documents are required as part of a complete application for this position:

• A fully completed University of Alaska employment application (application will only be accepted online through the University of Alaska Job Site).

• A current CV.

• A cover letter outlining your qualifications.

• A legible and updated set of unofficial transcripts.

• Teaching Philosophy

• Research Statement

• Three professional references, including previous supervisors.

The University of Alaska (UA) requires employees to work on-site based on operational and business needs. Hybrid and remote work arrangements may be considered only for positions specifically designated and advertised as eligible for hybrid or remote work. Any approved arrangement will be based on the position’s duties, operational needs, and the employee’s ability to effectively perform the work remotely.

☎️If you have any questions regarding this position, please contact Bryan Hoppough, CIS HR Coordinator, at behoppough@alaska.edu or 907-474-6569.

This position is represented by United Academics-AAUP/AFT (UNAC). https://unitedacademicsak.org/

*To be eligible for this position, applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without restriction.  Applicants who now or may in the future require visa sponsorship to work in the United States are not eligible.

The University of Alaska (UA) is responsible for providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities throughout the applicant screening process. If you need assistance in completing this application or during any phase of the interview process, please contact the ADA team at ua-ada@alaska.edu.

The University of Alaska (www.alaska.edu) is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access Employer and Educational Institution.  The University is committed to a policy of non-discrimination (www.alaska.edu/nondiscrimination) against individuals on the basis of any legally protected status.

The successful applicant is required to complete a background check. Any offer of employment is contingent on the background check.

Your application for employment with the University of Alaska is subject to public disclosure under the Alaska Public Records Act.

All employees at the University of Alaska are expected to uphold the highest standards of ethics and professionalism when conducting or engaged in university business.

*Each university within the University of Alaska system publishes an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report which contains information regarding campus safety and security including topics such as: campus law enforcement authority; crime reporting policies; campus alerts (Timely Warnings and Emergency Notifications); fire safety policies and procedures; programs to prevent dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking; the procedures the University will follow when one of these crimes is reported; and other matters of importance related to security on campus. The report also contains information about crime statistics for the three most recent calendar years concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus; in On-Campus Student Housing Facilities; in Noncampus buildings or property owned or controlled by the University or a recognized student organization; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus.  The report also contains fire statistics for any fires occurring in an On-Campus Student Housing Facility during the three most recent calendar years.  

Access to the reports is available at:

UAA: (Addresses Anchorage campus, Aviation Technology Complex, JBER - Elmendorf Extension, JBER - Richardson Extension, Kenai Peninsula College - Kachemak Bay campus, Kenai Peninsula College - Kenai River campus, Kodiak College, Kodiak High School Extension, Matanuska-Susitna College, Prince William Sound College, and Prince William Sound College - Cordova Extension) Online: https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/students/safety. Request a paper copy in person: UAA Police Department Office at Room 114 of Eugene Short Hall on the Anchorage campus / UAA Dean of Students Office at Room 122 of Rasmuson Hall on the Anchorage campus. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-786-1120 or police@uaa.alaska.edu / 907-786-1214 or uaa_deanofstudents@alaska.edu. 

UAF: (Addresses Fairbanks Campus, Bristol Bay Campus, Chukchi Campus, Community and Technical College, Kasitsna Bay Campus, Seward Marine Center, Tok Campus, Kuskokwim Campus, and Northwest Campus) Online: https://www.uaf.edu/orca/files/ASFSR.pdf. Request a paper copy in person: UAF Office of Rights, Compliance and Accountability on the 3rd Floor of Constitution Hall. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-474-7300 or uaf-orca@alaska.edu.

UAS: (Addresses the Juneau Auke Bay Campus, Juneau Technical Education Center, Sitka Campus, & Ketchikan Campus) Online: https://uas.alaska.edu/equity-and-compliance/docs/clery/UAS_ASFSR.pdf. Request a paper copy in person: Hendrickson Building, Suite 202 on the Juneau campus. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-796-6371 or emailing uas.clery@alaska.edu.