Assistant Professor

ETSU•Jonesborough, TN

About The Position

East Tennessee State University’s Department of Communication Studies and Storytelling seeks a full-time, tenure-track Assistant Professor of Communication Studies specializing in Organizational Communication. The academic-year appointment begins August 15, 2027, and is contingent on continued availability of funds. The department welcomes candidates using any Communication Studies research methodology and values narrative and storytelling in teaching and scholarship, though research need not incorporate narrative. Secondary interests in Crisis and Risk Communication, Social Media and Digital Communication, Applied Communication, or Political Communication are especially welcome. The position’s workload is 60% teaching, 20% service, and 20% research and creative activity. The expected teaching load is 3/3, primarily in the undergraduate Communication Studies major and minor, with possible opportunities to teach graduate courses for the Graduate Certificate in Storytelling. Teaching formats may include in-person, hybrid, and online. Optional summer and winter teaching opportunities depend on student demand. The successful candidate will serve the department and college, advise undergraduate students, and contribute to research and/or creative activity leading to publications, peer-reviewed performances, and/or competitively selected performances. The department has 12 full-time faculty members and serves just over 90 undergraduate majors and minors, as well as more than 2,000 students annually in general education courses.

Requirements

Ph.D. or terminal degree in Communication Studies or a related field by August 15, 2027. ABD candidates may be considered but must complete all requirements for an earned doctorate before the start date.
Demonstrated ability to teach and conduct research in Organizational Communication.
Experience teaching in higher education.

Nice To Haves

Secondary specialization or interest in Crisis and Risk Communication, Social Media and Digital Communication, Applied Communication, or Political Communication.
Interest or experience directing a Communication Studies internship program.
Interest or experience in community-engaged work and/or teaching.
Record of peer-reviewed research publication and presentation, and/or juried performances.
Clearly articulated research and creative activity agenda in Organizational Communication.
Strong organizational skills and demonstrated ability to work in collegial and collaborative environments.
Respect for and appreciation of narrative and storytelling in teaching and scholarship.
Willingness to develop new courses in Organizational Communication or related areas.

Responsibilities

Teach a 3/3 load, primarily in undergraduate Communication Studies programs, including Organizational Communication, Business and Professional Communication, and Communicating in Groups.
Teach at least one general education oral communication course: Fundamentals of Communication, Public Speaking, or Argumentation and Debate.
Teach additional courses for which qualified, including Communication Theory, Professional Communication & Technology, Advanced Public Speaking, Speaking for Social Change, and/or Communication Ethics.
Develop new courses in Organizational Communication and potentially in Crisis and Risk Communication, Social Media and Digital Communication, Applied Communication, and/or Political Communication.
Potentially teach graduate courses for the Graduate Certificate in Storytelling.
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.
Ideally coordinate the undergraduate internship program, with possible additional duties supporting the Communication Studies Association and/or coordinating an oral communication general education course.
Conduct a program of research and/or creative activity leading to publication, peer-reviewed performances, and/or competitively selected performances.