Posting DetailsPosition Information
Position Title Open-rank Curator and Professor of Biological Anthropology
Department Anthropology - 010
Classification TitlePosition Summary The Division of Anthropology at the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) seeks an outstanding colleague to join the Museum on or after July 1, 2027. This is an open rank tenure-track or tenured appointment, to be filled at the level of Assistant Curator/Assistant Professor, Associate Curator/Associate Professor, or Curator/Professor.
We seek a biological anthropologist with an innovative research program centering on the evolutionary history of humans and/or other primates that advances our understanding of human origins. Areas of expertise may include, but are not limited to, the paleobiology and paleoecology of hominins and closely related lineages, the evolution of characteristics that distinguish humans from other animals, and the evolution and patterning of biological aspects of diversity within the human lineage. Methodological focus should include fieldwork and combinations of laboratory work, theoretical modeling, novel imaging and advanced computation, and other methods. Research that advances or engages with recent advances in human evolutionary genetics, paleoproteomics, and/or analyses of large comparative datasets would be considered an asset. We also welcome research that explores how insights from human evolutionary history can inform contemporary societal challenges, including climate change, environmental degradation, sociopolitical transformations, migration, and conflict. (For candidates working on contemporary human biology, please note that the Museum no longer acquires human remains.)
In addition to scientific excellence, the ideal candidate will have demonstrated a successful record of, or clear potential for, community partnerships and public engagement, and have an interest in growing these in the Museum setting: via exhibitions, education, and outreach. The ideal candidate will also have an interdisciplinary research profile that fosters collaborations across the Museum's biological and physical sciences. The curatorial responsibilities associated with this position provide exceptional opportunities to support and expand an active international field research program.
This is an open rank appointment, with rank and tenure determined by the candidate's experience and accomplishments. Senior candidates appointed with tenure should demonstrate a distinguished scholarly record and documented leadership experience. The AMNH maintains world-class anthropological collections consisting of over 250,000 ethnographic and archaeological objects from the Americas, Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Pacific Islands, in addition to extensive biological collections. Curators are expected to maintain a high level of productivity in original research, secure extramural funding, and oversee collections relevant to their expertise. The successful candidate will also provide curatorial and scientific oversight for the iconic AMNH Anne and Bernard Spitzer Hall of Human Origins (
https://www.amnh.org/exhibitions/permanent/human-origins).
Additional responsibilities may include mentoring graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, teaching in the Museum's Richard Gilder Graduate School doctoral program in Comparative Biology, serving on committees, and contributing to exhibitions and public programs.
The AMNH is a recognized leader in scientific research, graduate education, and public education about science and the natural world. Resources available at AMNH include dedicated staff to support repatriation and compliance through our Cultural Resources Office; professional conservators with expertise in organic and ethnographic materials; a research library with rare holdings; the Center for Biodiversity and Conservation; genomic, including historic and ancient biomolecular, laboratories; high-performance computing facilities; and a wide range of optical, electron beam, and X-ray analytical tools, including CT scanning. The AMNH maintains active internal grant programs to support field research. The successful applicant will have the opportunity to build on existing relationships with nearby collaborating institutions including Columbia University and the City University of New York.
The expected salary range for the Open-Rank Curator and Professor of Biological Anthropology is $125,000 - 200,000.
Pay will be determined based on several factors. The hiring range for the position at commencement is based on the type of work and the scope of responsibilities. The salary and placement offered is based on a number of individualized factors, including, but not limited to, skills, knowledge, training, education, credentials, areas of specialization and depth and scope of experience.
Required Qualifications Candidates must hold a doctoral degree in Anthropology or related field at the time of application submission.
Preferred QualificationsPhysical DemandsCategory Full-Time
Total Number of Scheduled Hours Per Pay Period 70
Union Status Non-Union
FLSA Exempt
Expected salary minimum $125,000/annual
Expected salary maximum $200,000/annual
Quick Link https://careers.amnh.org/postings/4873
Posting Detail Information
Posting Number FA016P
Open Date 07/31/2026
Close DateOpen Until Filled Yes
Special Instructions to Applicants Application materials should include:
- Cover letter (maximum one page)
- Curriculum vitae
- Research statement, including past achievements and future plans (maximum three pages)
- Curatorial service statement, describing your vision for service to collections, exhibitions, teaching, and public engagement (maximum three pages)
- Names and contact information for three references
- PDFs of three to five publications that best represent your work
Application materials should be submitted as a single PDF under "Other Document", except for publication PDFs, which can be submitted under "Publications". Publications may be submitted as a file share link/folder if the size exceeds 10MB.
Inquiries about the position should be directed to Michelle Young (
[email protected]) and John Bunce (
[email protected]). Consideration of applications will begin September 15, 2026, but applications will continue to be accepted after this date. Applications should be submitted through the AMNH career portal:
https://careers.amnh.org/ 
