Assistant or Associate Professor - Public Relations
Position Overview
The William Allen White School of Journalism and Mass Communications at the University of Kansas seeks an engaged, dynamic, and experienced scholar in public relations to join our faculty. The successful applicant will join our award-winning faculty in the Digital Marketing Communications, Advertising, and Public Relations concentration.
Appointment at a particular level will be based on an applicant’s research/creative portfolio and teaching record. Each position is full-time, tenure-track to begin August 18, 2025.
The School carries an atmosphere of collegiality that is supportive of an environment which is inclusive, interdisciplinary, and collaborative. Applicants who demonstrate teaching and research in one or more of the following areas are strongly encouraged to apply: general or specialized public relations, data analytics, emergent media practices, sports media, and/or visual communication. You will have colleagues who share your excitement about working with students, discovering and testing media developments for the future, and are eager to create new ways to understand and engage audiences.
Teaching and Research Strategic Areas: The successful candidates will engage with students to understand public relations, especially in areas of strategy, social media, or data analytics. We also are seeking scholars with an interest in research that intersects with one or more of KU’s strategic research investment and impact areas: Development Across the Lifespan, Earth, Energy + Environment, Human Experience in the Digital Age, Molecules + Medicines, and Security + Safety. For more information, visit KU's Office of Research site.
Successful applicants will have a PhD in journalism, mass communication, law, marketing, or related field. Applicants are encouraged to outline areas of interests in their application materials. The successful candidate must be eligible to work in the U.S. by the time of appointment.
Founded in 1865, KU is one of only 34 public members of the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU). The University enrolls more than 27,000 students and offers students and faculty opportunities to collaborate in its graduate and professional programs that include education, public health, medicine, law, and a number of allied social science disciplines. KU’s excellence is a result of the rich tapestry of experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds of our faculty, staff, students, and colleagues from across our nation and the globe. At KU, we invest in continuous learning and growth by creating a climate where people engage in respectful dialogue and debate and support each other’s success. We foster a culture of care where each person is seen, heard and valued. When people feel a true sense of belonging, we believe they are better able to reach their full potential and achieve remarkable things.
If you are looking for a rewarding and dynamic career, look no farther than the University of Kansas. In addition to a competitive salary, KU offers great benefits to employees with up to 176 hours of paid vacation per year, 96 hours of sick leave earned per year, 9 paid holidays plus one discretionary day, a great retirement program, medical and dental insurance, life and disability insurance, other benefit plan options and state of Kansas discounts offered by various vendors. KU also offers employees educational opportunities for employees. KU is a great place to work!
Appointment at a particular level will be based on an applicant’s research/creative portfolio and teaching record. Each position is full-time, tenure-track to begin August 18, 2025.
The School carries an atmosphere of collegiality that is supportive of an environment which is inclusive, interdisciplinary, and collaborative. Applicants who demonstrate teaching and research in one or more of the following areas are strongly encouraged to apply: general or specialized public relations, data analytics, emergent media practices, sports media, and/or visual communication. You will have colleagues who share your excitement about working with students, discovering and testing media developments for the future, and are eager to create new ways to understand and engage audiences.
Teaching and Research Strategic Areas: The successful candidates will engage with students to understand public relations, especially in areas of strategy, social media, or data analytics. We also are seeking scholars with an interest in research that intersects with one or more of KU’s strategic research investment and impact areas: Development Across the Lifespan, Earth, Energy + Environment, Human Experience in the Digital Age, Molecules + Medicines, and Security + Safety. For more information, visit KU's Office of Research site.
Successful applicants will have a PhD in journalism, mass communication, law, marketing, or related field. Applicants are encouraged to outline areas of interests in their application materials. The successful candidate must be eligible to work in the U.S. by the time of appointment.
Founded in 1865, KU is one of only 34 public members of the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU). The University enrolls more than 27,000 students and offers students and faculty opportunities to collaborate in its graduate and professional programs that include education, public health, medicine, law, and a number of allied social science disciplines. KU’s excellence is a result of the rich tapestry of experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds of our faculty, staff, students, and colleagues from across our nation and the globe. At KU, we invest in continuous learning and growth by creating a climate where people engage in respectful dialogue and debate and support each other’s success. We foster a culture of care where each person is seen, heard and valued. When people feel a true sense of belonging, we believe they are better able to reach their full potential and achieve remarkable things.
If you are looking for a rewarding and dynamic career, look no farther than the University of Kansas. In addition to a competitive salary, KU offers great benefits to employees with up to 176 hours of paid vacation per year, 96 hours of sick leave earned per year, 9 paid holidays plus one discretionary day, a great retirement program, medical and dental insurance, life and disability insurance, other benefit plan options and state of Kansas discounts offered by various vendors. KU also offers employees educational opportunities for employees. KU is a great place to work!
Job Description
40% Teaching:
- Teach courses and developing curriculum in undergraduate and graduate program, in-person and virtually, based upon needs of the School
- Mentor undergraduate and graduate students
- Hold regular office hours
- Demonstrate sustained productivity through publications, sponsored projects/grants, papers and presentations for national and international academic and professional audiences, or sustained creative work recognized at the national or international level
- Participate in the regular academic activities of the School, including committee assignments and major School functions
- Provide general service to the School and University
- Serve on and chair graduate committees
- Professional service in academic, professional and/or media organizations
Required Qualifications
Evaluation of the following requirements will be made through (1) descriptions of research/creative work and teaching in letter of application, (2) record of accomplishments and productivity included in CV and (3) information provided from three professional references.
For appointment at the rank of Assistant Professor:
For appointment at the rank of Assistant Professor:
- PhD degree in journalism, communication, sports management, or related field by start date of appointment.
- Demonstrated (or high potential for) teaching excellence in a university setting including the ability to develop and teach online courses.
- Demonstrated (or high potential for) research success as shown through publications, portfolio, awards, research grants, or working papers.
- Three years of full-time professional experience in media, communication, or a related field.
- PhD in journalism, communication, sports management, or related field
- Record of productive teaching excellence in a university setting including the ability to develop and teach online courses
- Three years of full-time professional experience in media, communication, or a related field.
- Demonstrated excellence in research as shown through publications, portfolio, awards research grants, or working papers that have either enabled the candidate to be successfully promoted to Associate Professor at a research-oriented university of a similar or higher research profile as the University of Kansas, or meet the expectations in professional experience for qualification.
Additional Candidate Instructions
To apply and for more information, go to https://employment.ku.edu/academic/28819BR. Please submit the following application materials for consideration: 1) a cover letter describing your research/sustained creative work, teaching experience and philosophy, 2) a CV, 3) a list of three professional references, and 4) evidence of teaching effectiveness.
Review of applications begins Oct. 1, 2024, and will continue until the positions are filled.
To ensure consideration, apply before the application review date. Please direct questions to journalismsearch@ku.edu.
#LI-HR1
Review of applications begins Oct. 1, 2024, and will continue until the positions are filled.
To ensure consideration, apply before the application review date. Please direct questions to journalismsearch@ku.edu.
#LI-HR1
Contact Information to Applicants
Advertised Salary Range
Commensurate with experience
Application Review Begins
Tuesday October 1, 2024
Anticipated Start Date
Monday August 18, 2025