Description

The School of Communication Studies invites applications for a tenure track Assistant or Associate Professor position to begin August 1, 2026. We seek a social scientist with expertise in interpersonal or organizational communication. Applicants should have an active research agenda focused on communication and technology. Secondary interests could include but are not limited to social influence, mis/disinformation, persuasion, or related areas. The successful candidate will have a demonstrated ability to lead development of new curriculum and academic programming on technology and human communication. 

Candidates may be hired at the Assistant or Associate Professor rank, depending upon qualifications. Criteria for determining the candidate’s rank upon appointment shall follow the criteria for appointment to faculty rank described in the University of Tennessee, Knoxville Faculty Handbook (facultyhandbook.utk.edu; chapter 3, section 2). 

To apply, please submit: (1) a letter of application, (2) current vita, (3) a research statement and a teaching philosophy (each about 1 page), (4) teaching evaluations from the past two years, and (5) the names and contact information of at least three references in Interfolio: https://apply.interfolio.com/170619

The School of Communication Studies focuses on interpersonal and organizational communication from a social scientific perspective. We participate in the college-wide M.S. and Ph.D. programs, with approximately 20 graduate students enrolled in the communication studies concentration. The School has over 350 undergraduate majors and enrolls more than 2,700 students per term in its courses. It houses the university’s speech and debate team and runs its own study abroad program. 

The College of Communication and Information consists of four schools: Tombras School of Advertising and Public Relations, Communication Studies, Journalism and Media, and Information Sciences. The College has a collaborative, active research faculty. College faculty regularly engage in partnerships with Oak Ridge National Laboratory, governmental agencies, the University of Tennessee Extension, the University of Tennessee Medical Center, and academic departments internal and external to the university. These research activities are supported by the college’s Research and Innovation Center. The College has approximately 1,200 majors and pre-majors and enrolls more than 5,800 students per semester. 

Located near the beautiful Smoky Mountains, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) was founded in 1794 and is one of the oldest public universities in the country. UTK enrolls over 30,000 students at its Knoxville campus and is Tennessee’s only public Carnegie Doctoral: Highest Research Activity University. For more information about working at UTK and Knoxville, please visit: https://provost.utk.edu/welcome-future-utk-faculty/

Review of applications begins September 22, 2025 and continues until the position is filled. 

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications: 

1. Ph.D. in communication at the time of appointment. Doctoral candidates will be considered, but an earned doctorate is required at the time of appointment. 

2. Strong traditional theoretical and methodological background in interpersonal or organizational communication, with primary research interests in communication and technology. 

3. Align with the School of Communication Studies’ focus on social scientific research via quantitative and/or qualitative methods. 

4. Evidence of excellence in research and teaching commensurate with appointment at a Carnegie classified Research University.  

Preferred Qualifications: 

1. Complement our existing strengths and demonstrate intersections and potential for collaborations with other faculty across the School of Communication Studies. 

2. Have potential for externally funded research. 

3. Demonstrate professional excellence, including the ability to interact appropriately with colleagues and students.