Assistant Professor of Indigenous Studies

The Department of Indigenous Studies, housed within the Center for Cross-Cultural Studies (CXCS), is seeking a dedicated faculty member to develop and teach courses aligned with our curriculum. This includes utilizing various teaching modalities and maintaining office hours to support student learning. The successful candidate will establish an independent research program that engages undergraduate and graduate students, pursue external funding, and publish in peer-reviewed journals. Participation in service activities, including committee work and professional engagement with the community, is essential.

CXCS operates two unique graduate programs: a master's degree and a Ph.D. program in Indigenous Studies, which is the highest Native Studies degree-granting program in Alaska. Indigenous Studies is an interdisciplinary field that draws from subjects such as education, political science, history, and anthropology. CXCS works diligently to enhance the recognition of Indigenous scholarship across various academic disciplines to best serve our students. The mission of CXCS is to improve educational and professional development opportunities for Indigenous Peoples and to explore cross-cultural and Indigenous education and community development issues.

To thrive in this role, candidates should demonstrate strong teaching skills by developing engaging and inclusive curricula across multiple modalities. A proactive commitment to establishing a research program that involves students, seeks external funding, and contributes to peer-reviewed publications is crucial. Candidates must possess cultural competence, with a deep understanding of Alaska Native peoples, histories, and contemporary issues, as well as a dedication to promoting Indigenous perspectives. Collaboration and service are vital, requiring active participation in committees and community outreach. Effective advising skills are necessary to mentor a diverse student population, particularly focusing on rural, Alaska Native, and Indigenous students. Flexibility in adapting teaching methods, excellent communication skills, and a commitment to lifelong learning will enhance their impact, ensuring success in this role and contributing to the department's growth and influence.

Minimum Qualifications:

Applicants for this position must have earned a doctoral degree by August 1, 2025 and have expertise in teaching distance education courses and guiding student research within fields related to Alaska Native and Indigenous Studies. Desired areas of expertise include Indigenous knowledge systems, Indigenous history, cultural studies in the humanities and social sciences, Federal Indian law and policy, Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA), traditional ways of supporting community well-being, and comparative studies in the Arctic and Circumpolar regions. Applicants should be able to demonstrate an understanding of the contents of ANCSA and how this legislation has affected Alaska.

Position Details:

This position can be located in the following cities within the State of Alaska: Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau, Wasilla, Palmer, Girdwood, Eagle River, Homer, Seward, Chugiak, Ketchikan, Sitka, Kenai, Soldotna, Angoon. This is a full-time, 9-month, represented 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 commensurate based on education and experience.

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

• CV

• Cover letter that includes a statement of teaching philosophy

• Unofficial transcript

• A diversity statement: A diversity statement is a one-page document explaining your experiences and commitments to diversity....Three areas that might be included in a diversity statement are 1) your values related to diversity, 2) your experiences working with diverse populations, and 3) your plans related to inclusivity. 

• The names and contact information for three professional references, including previous supervisors. 

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until a successful candidate is identified. The first review date of applications will begin February 1, 2025, please confirm your application is submitted no later than 11:55 pm Alaska Standard Time on January 31, 2025. 

*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.

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

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 UA Human Resources by phone at 907-450-8200.

UA is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer, educational institution and provider and prohibits illegal discrimination against any individual: www.alaska.edu/nondiscrimination.

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.

If you have any questions regarding this position, please contact Lisa Yancey, CIS Director of Operations, at llyancey@alaska.edu or (907)474-5459.

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.