Assistant Professor in Advertising

CSU Careers • San José, CA

34d • Onsite

About The Position

The School of Journalism and Mass Communications at San José State University is seeking a Tenure Track Assistant Professor in Advertising beginning in August 2027. The ideal candidate will possess both professional expertise and scholarly insight in advertising, with a specific focus on emerging technologies and AI. This role requires a strong record or potential in teaching, research, and creative work at the intersection of advertising, technology, and society. The university values industry experience, the ability to engage students through hands-on, project-based learning, and a commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion. The new hire will contribute to preparing students for the future of media and advertising in Silicon Valley and beyond. The School of Journalism and Mass Communications (JMC) offers programs in advertising, public relations, journalism, and mass communications, leveraging Silicon Valley's innovative culture. As an Adobe Creative Campus with a developing VR and Emerging Technologies Lab, JMC provides opportunities in media, AI, and immersive storytelling. The school emphasizes a hands-on, collaborative approach through award-winning student media and the student-run DBH Agency. San José State University is a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) and an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPISI), serving a diverse student population, many of whom are historically underserved, first-generation, or Pell Grant recipients. The university aims to create holistic learning environments that foster transformation and seeks teacher-scholars who cultivate inclusive spaces for mutual learning and knowledge exchange.

Requirements

• MA or MFA in Advertising, Graphic/Communication Design or other related disciplines.
• Demonstrate an awareness of and sensitivity to the educational goals of a socially and economically diverse student population as might have been gained in cross-cultural study, training, teaching, and other comparable experience.

Nice To Haves

• PhD or MFA terminal degree.
• Substantial industry experience (for Master's degree holders).
• Experience working with emerging technologies as part of a creative workflow.
• Experience with, primarily, Adobe tools, and other creative tools with a focus on AI driven and generative production.
• Knowledge of the integration of AI and other emerging media in the advertising and PR industries with a particular focus on creative practice.
• A developed or developing research or creative agenda that focuses on the application of AI in creative production workflows, and/or the ethical and sustainability issues surrounding the application of said technologies.

Responsibilities

• Integrating AI and emerging technologies in existing courses on both the Creative and the Management tracks of the Advertising program as well as courses taken by the PR students and the Advertising Marcom track.
• Developing new courses that address the ethical and sustainability issues surrounding the adaptation of AI and emerging technologies in the communication design and creative industries.
• Collaborate with SJSU’s Advanced Institute for Ethical Technology (ai-et) to transform narratives around technology through creative practice and humanistic inquiry.
• Participate in shared governance, usually in department, college, and university committees and other service assignments.
• Organize all classes within the Canvas Learning Management System (LMS).
• Demonstrate awareness and experience in understanding the needs of a student population of great diversity – in age, abilities, cultural background, ethnicity, religion, economic background, primary language, sexual orientation, gender identity, and academic preparation – through inclusive course materials, teaching strategies, and advisement.
• Comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.
• Complete Clery Act training and immediately report Clery incidents to the institution if designated as a Campus Security Authority (CSA).
• Complete CSU employee training as assigned and required based on their role (e.g., Data Security, FERPA, Preventing Discrimination and Harassment, Title IX, Health and Safety).
• Comply with safety measures that decrease the likelihood of COVID-19 transmission or illness as recommended or required by the President.

Benefits

• Competitive faculty employee benefits for the higher education sector.
• CSU Employee Benefits Summary details about the CSU’s excellent benefits package.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree