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POSITION SPECIFICS
Assistant Professor of Communications, Tenure Track
Position Summary
The Assistant Professor of Communications is a full-time, tenure-track faculty position within the Communications program in the School of Humanities at Penn State Harrisburg. Joint appointments with programs in other schools are also possible for this position, but the School of Humanities will be the tenure home of this position.
We are seeking an enthusiastic and dedicated individual who shares our commitment to teaching, research, and service. Areas of expertise sought include both disciplinary knowledge in communications and media studies and professional competence in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its applications. We welcome applicants whose research or creative practice engages with generative artificial intelligence, including (but not limited to) strategic communications, advertising, audience analysis, data analytics, digital pedagogy, and media production.
Responsibilities
The primary responsibilities of the Assistant Professor of Communications include teaching, research, and service to the school, college, university, community, and profession.
Teaching responsibilities will include a 9-credit teaching load each fall and spring semester, but the tenure-track candidate will enjoy a 3-credit course release for the first two years of appointment, with the opportunity to apply for additional course releases for scholarly initiatives and activities such as external funding.
Candidates are expected to have an active and promising research agenda in their field of expertise.
Tenure-track faculty in the School of Humanities are required to publish articles, book chapters, and/or books with major academic journals and presses and may also pursue sponsored research funding, leading to a national reputation at the time of tenure.
The Assistant Professor of Communications will participate in service activities that reflect commitment to campus, university, and regional communities as well as participation in national and international academic communities.
Required Qualifications
To be considered for the Assistant Professor of Communications, candidates should possess the following qualifications:
A Ph.D. in Communications or a closely associated field is required by July of 2026.
The successful candidate will have a record of using generative artificial intelligence in their research and teaching. Research and teaching experience in media, data analytics, or related fields may also be considered. The candidate will also demonstrate the use of generative artificial intelligence in their teaching as well as in their research.
Preferred Qualifications
Published research and conference presentations involving generative artificial intelligence in communications.
Experience advising students.
Sponsored research funding or the promise of sponsored research funding.
Application Process:
To apply for the Assistant Professor of Communications, please visit Penn State’s Human Resources website https://hr.psu.edu/careersand submit the following documents as separate files:
· Cover Letter: The cover letter should address the applicant’s qualifications for the position, and highlight use of artificial intelligence in research and teaching.
· Curriculum Vitae: The CV should highlight the applicant’s education, research, teaching, service, and other professional academic experience.
· Teaching Philosophy: The teaching philosophy should include strategies for promoting student success and inclusion.
· Research Philosophy: The research philosophy should include the applicant’s approach to establishing and extending their research, including future projects and topics.
· Professional References: In a separate file, applicants should provide a list of at least three professional references with contract email addresses and phone numbers.
System limitations allow for a total of 5 documents (5mb per document) as part of your application. Please combine materials to meet the 5-document limit. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. For additional questions, please contact the search chair, Dr. Yonatan Tewelde, [email protected].
About Penn State Harrisburg
Penn State Harrisburg is a campus of the Pennsylvania State University, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s land-grant institution, serving more than 80,000 students.
Penn State Harrisburg, the Capital College, enrolls close to 5000 students in residential instruction and an additional 1,000 students in programs delivered online via the University’s World Campus.
For more information about Penn State Harrisburg, please visit the college’s website at https://harrisburg.psu.edu/.
About the School of Humanities
The School of Humanities is not a single place, but a group of extraordinary people teaching vital skills for careers and life after college. We offer programs in American Studies, Communications, English, and Humanities, many at both undergraduate and graduate levels, as well as minors and courses in related disciplines in the arts, languages, and the Humanities.
For more information about the School of Humanities, please visit https://harrisburg.psu.edu/humanities.
BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES
Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.
BENEFITS
Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional wellbeing. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children.
For more detailed information, please visit ourBenefits Page.
CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS
Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.
EEO IS THE LAW
Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.
The Pennsylvania State University is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university’s teaching, research, and service mission.
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