Assistant Professor of Alaska Native Studies and Rural Development

Position Description

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. 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.