The Departments of Anthropology and Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Biology (E3B) invite applications for a research position at the rank of Staff Associate II to inventory and research their human osteological collections.

The appointment may be filled as full time for 3 months (from July 8, 2024 to October 8, 2024) or for 6 months at half time (and may begin prior to July 8). The position will be based at Columbia University in New York City. Salary Range or Pay Grade $3657.33 a month part-time; $5322.50 a month full-time [Approximately $20,000 for the project]

Position Description The staff associate will be expected to complete an inventory of the EEEB teaching collection, and Anthropology research collections. Columbia stewards a small number of human ancestral remains under NAGPRA; these would not be part of the inventory. Research into the provenience of the osteological remains will be carried out at Columbia’s Rare Books and Manuscripts Library, the Columbia University Irving Medical Center Archives, and other archives as required (e.g. at AMNH’s Gottesman Research Library, Anthropology’s William Duncan Strong Collection). We anticipate that the project will be broken down into three blocks of time, starting with the EEEB laboratory (estimated 4 weeks), moving on to Anthropology’s collections (estimated 2-3 weeks) and finishing with archival research (estimated 5-6 weeks).

Qualifications The ideal candidate will have a higher degree (minimum MA) in bioarchaeology or biological anthropology with expertise in both archival research and human osteology, including constructing a biological profile. This may include ancestry estimation. Though we recognize that ancestry estimation is a problematic and imprecise process, we view this as a starting point for better understanding the nature of the collection and the possibilities for future ethical stewardship and repatriation where appropriate.

Application Instructions All applications must be made through Columbia University’s Academic Search and Recruiting (ASR) system: http://apply.interfolio.com/147325 Please upload a cover letter, curriculum vitae, transcripts, and a list of references. Before uploading documents, applicants will be asked to input a name and valid email address for each reference provider. The application to this position requires a minimum of two reference letters. The application system will automatically email the reference provider, politely requesting a letter of reference and offering a secure link to the recommendation website where a letter can be uploaded quickly and easily.

Pay Transparency Disclosure The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training. The above hiring range represents the University’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement Columbia University is an Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran