Assistant Professor of Communication

University of Arkansas • Fayetteville, NC

22h • Onsite

About The Position

The Department of Communication in the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Arkansas invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor in the area of Health Communication to start in August 2027. This is a standard nine-month faculty appointment. In addition to having a research and teaching focus in areas pertaining to Health Communication, the ideal candidate should exhibit strengths in qualitative, quantitative, and/or mixed methods. The ideal candidate will demonstrate evidence of community-engaged and applied scholarship. This faculty position is part of the Arkansas Health Research and Solutions cluster hire at the University of Arkansas. Driven by three Fortune 500 companies, booming steel and lithium sectors, world-class museums, and rich natural beauty, Arkansas is transforming into a vibrant hub of opportunity and innovation. Yet Arkansas also faces significant health challenges. Too many Arkansans experience chronic disease, high rates of infant and maternal mortality, mental health crises, and limited healthcare access. Through this cluster hire initiative, the University will advance its land-grant mission by expanding capacity to address our state’s most pressing challenges. Building on existing campus expertise, these new faculty members will advance their research agendas through collaborative research—both with other scholars and with communities in the state—that results in peer-reviewed publications, external funding, and new approaches to healthcare. The successful candidate for this position will join a multidisciplinary community of scholars committed to confronting major issues, generating new knowledge, and providing research-based solutions that improve health outcomes for people living in Arkansas and beyond. Competitive applicants will also demonstrate an ability to provide strategic direction and collaboration with our Center for Communication Research, as well as success in working with interdisciplinary research teams, mentoring undergraduate and graduate students, and engaging regional, state, and national funding agencies. Duties will include developing classes and teaching effectively at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, and providing service to the Department, University, and discipline. This is an in-person position. Most university classes are offered face-to-face, and extensive in-person engagement in such activities as office hours, student advising, and departmental, college, and university committee meetings is essential to advancing student success and departmental effectiveness. Regular, reliable, and non-disruptive attendance is an essential job duty, as is the ability to create and maintain collegial, harmonious working relationships with others.

Requirements

• A terminal degree in Communication from an accredited institution of higher education conferred by the date of initial appointment
• Evidence of an active research program in health communication
• Demonstrated experience and competency in the classroom related to coursework in health communication, as evidenced in the CV and evidence of teaching effectiveness
• An ability to publish in top peer reviewed outlets
• Strong evidence of the ability to be an active, involved, and collegial member of a collaborative team both on campus and in relevant national service organizations
• Proof of legal authority to work in the United States on the first day of employment

Nice To Haves

• Research commensurate with institutions holding the highest Carnegie classification and with the level of appointment
• Evidence of an interdisciplinary research program
• Evidence of potential to work in a lab-based setting, collaborative research teams, and/or with community stakeholders
• Demonstrated ability to conduct externally funded research
• Experience publishing in top peer reviewed outlets
• Experience teaching lower and upper-level courses in health communication
• Experience with service at the departmental, university, or disciplinary level

Responsibilities

• Developing classes and teaching effectively at both the undergraduate and graduate levels
• Providing service to the Department, University, and discipline
• 40% Teaching or Professional Performance
• 40% Research/Scholarly and/or Creative Activities
• 20% Academic Service Activities

Benefits

• university contributions to health, dental, life and disability insurance
• tuition waivers for employees and their families
• 12 official holidays
• immediate leave accrual
• a choice of retirement programs with university contributions ranging from 5 to 10% of employee salary

What This Job Offers

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