Assistant/Associate Professor

ETSU • Jonesborough, TN

2d • $61,000

About The Position

The Department of Communication Studies and Storytelling at East Tennessee State University seeks an Assistant or Associate Professor of Communication Studies for a full-time, tenure-track academic-year appointment beginning August 15, 2027, subject to continued availability of funds. The successful candidate will be a Communication Studies generalist and serve as course director for either Fundamentals of Communication or Public Speaking. Candidates should demonstrate respect for the use of narrative and storytelling in teaching and scholarship; research may or may not incorporate narrative.

The faculty member will primarily teach undergraduate Communication Studies courses, with possible opportunities to teach in the Graduate Certificate in Storytelling. Courses may include general education offerings, Advanced Public Speaking, Communication Theory, Professional Communication & Technology, Speaking for Social Change, and Communication Ethics, as well as courses in the candidate's specialty. The expected teaching load is 3/3. Teaching formats may include in-person, hybrid, and online. Optional summer and winter teaching may be available depending on need.

The position includes teaching (60%), service (20%), and research and creative activity (20%). Service includes departmental and college work, course direction, advising undergraduate students, and potentially supporting the undergraduate Communication Studies Association. Research or creative activity should contribute to the department's mission through publication, peer-reviewed performances, and/or competitively selected performances. The faculty member will also serve on undergraduate honors thesis committees and hold regular office hours.

Requirements

• Ph.D. or terminal degree in Communication Studies or a related field completed before August 15, 2027. ABD applicants may be considered but must complete all requirements for the earned doctorate before the start date.
• Experience teaching in higher education.
• Demonstrate respect for and value of narrative and storytelling in teaching and scholarship.

Nice To Haves

• Specialization or interest in crisis and risk communication, social media and digital communication, applied communication, or political communication.
• Previous full-time employment in higher education teaching.
• Experience as a course director or in a leadership role among colleagues.
• Record of peer-reviewed research publication and presentation, and/or juried performances.
• Interest or experience in community-engaged work and/or teaching.
• Strong organizational skills and demonstrated ability to work in collegial and collaborative environments.
• A specialty that complements the department's existing areas, including interpersonal, family, health, rhetoric, performance studies, narrative, and organizations.

Responsibilities

• Teach an expected 3/3 load, primarily in undergraduate Communication Studies major and minor programs.
• Teach existing undergraduate courses, including at least some of the listed general education and upper-level offerings.
• Serve as course director for either Fundamentals of Communication or Public Speaking.
• Develop and teach additional courses aligned with the candidate's specialty.
• Serve on undergraduate honors thesis committees and hold regular student office hours.
• Perform service at the departmental and college levels.
• Advise undergraduate students on their programs of study.
• Potentially grow and support the undergraduate Communication Studies Association.
• Conduct research and/or creative activity leading to publication, peer-reviewed performances, and/or competitively selected performances.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree