Description
The Ohio University School of Communication Studies invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track Assistant Professor position beginning in August 2026. We seek a student-centered, innovative scholar with a strong record of teaching and scholarship and a commitment to experiential learning. The ideal candidate will engage in community-based scholarship from an organizational or small group perspective and will bring a robust theoretical and methodological approach to their work.
Candidates should be prepared to contribute to one or more of the cognate areas in the School of Communication Studies and effectively mentor both undergraduate and graduate students. We welcome applicants with diverse perspectives and scholarly approaches, including those who pursue community-based research. The School of Communication Studies, along with the College and University, are deeply committed to providing meaningful experiential learning opportunities for students. The successful candidate will share this commitment and will be supported in developing and implementing such experiences as a faculty member.
The School of Communication Studies values excellence in both teaching and research. The person hired will teach undergraduate and graduate courses in organizational communication and related areas, be expected to teach in-person on Ohio University’s main campus in Athens, OH, mentor/advise COMS undergraduate and graduate students, and fulfill service responsibilities. Tenure-track Scholar-Teachers in the School of Communication Studies typically have a 4-course (12 credit hours) teaching load per year. Salary for the appointment will be competitive based on the candidate’s credentials.
The School of Communication Studies (https://www.ohio.edu/scripps-college/comm-studies) is one of five schools housed in Ohio University’s nationally recognized Scripps College of Communication. The College is a designated “Center of Excellence” in the State of Ohio. The School offers a B.S. in Communication Studies at Athens and all five regional campuses. Additionally, we offer a Ph.D. in Communication with three degree-tracks: health communication, interpersonal and organizational communication, and rhetoric and culture. As a faculty, we are committed to excellence in teaching and research. Our established relationships with the Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, the College of Health Sciences and Professions, the Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service, the Center for International Studies, and local for-profit and non-profit organizations present exciting opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration. In addition, unique opportunities arise from our presence in Appalachia and our connections to nearby urban areas such as Columbus.
Ohio University. Established in 1804, Ohio University’s is the oldest public university in the state of Ohio. Our total enrollment is over 28,000 students across the state and online with about 20,000 undergraduates studying at our residential campus in Athens. OU is an R1 institution with 27 research centers/institutes, and 30 PhD programs. Our picturesque campus is located in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains amidst scenic state and national parks, and is just 75 minutes southeast of Columbus, Ohio. To learn more about Ohio University and the surrounding region, please see http://www.ohio.edu, http://athenschamber.com, and https://www.ci.athens.oh.us/.
Review of applications will begin on October 8, 2025, and continue until the position is filled. For full consideration, candidates should apply by October 8, 2025. Please complete the online application process (found at: https://www.ohiouniversityjobs.com/postings/54916) attaching required documents. Required documents include: (1) a cover letter discussing qualifications and fit with the job description; (2) current curriculum vitae; (3) statement of research interests with specific attention to how your research would support the School of Communication Studies; (4) teaching philosophy with evidence of teaching effectiveness; (5) unofficial transcripts; and, (6) contact information for three references who will be contacted electronically and asked to provide letters of recommendation using an online quick link.
Questions may be directed to Dr. Christina Beck, Search Committee Chair, School of Communication Studies, [email protected], 400 Schoonover Center for Communication, Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701-2979.
Mission Statement. As a school grounded in the Liberal Arts, we seek to equip learners with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to think critically, to make decisions independently, and to adapt to an increasingly diverse world. Our mission is to observe, interpret, and evaluate communication behaviors and processes, with particular interests in the construction of messages and meanings. At both the undergraduate and graduate levels, and across various contexts—interpersonal, organizational, and public—we strive to understand how communication affects identities, communities, and cultures, and to develop communicators who are effective and ethical. As a community of scholars, we value inclusivity, mutual respect, curiosity, and responsibility. We are committed tobreadthandinclusivenessin thecourageous pursuit of ideas. We honor diverse knowers and ways of knowing. We enact these values as we engage with each other in the development, examination, dissemination, and application of ideas about communication theory, research, and practice.
Requirements
Minimum Qualifications: Applicants must hold a Ph.D. in Communication Studies or equivalent degree (or provide evidence that the degree requirement will be met by August 2026), have an active program of research, demonstrated expertise in organizational communication or small group communication, and demonstrated effectiveness as a teacher.
Preferred Qualifications: Ability to secure external funding to support their program of research, ability to supervise graduate teaching assistants who are teaching techniques in group discussion, and a secondary expertise in interpersonal or health communication.
