Assistant Professor, Communication (Public Relations)

Job Description Summary

The Department of Communication invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track position in public relations at the rank of assistant professor.

The successful candidate will have or show clear promise of a strong, active research program in public relations and the capacity to contribute to a diverse and inclusive community. We seek candidates whose research, teaching, and/or service contributes to the Department’s mission of communication for the public good and ARHU’s mission of imagining, inspiring, and shaping a better future.

All public relations research topics and approaches are welcomed. Candidates should demonstrate an ability to teach public relations undergraduate and graduate courses. The capacity to contribute to required courses in the general communication major is also important.

The Department of Communication is committed to producing innovative and influential scholarship, service to the discipline and community and leadership in the discipline and profession of communication. The Department of Communication’s mission is to provide quality undergraduate and graduate student education that prepares B.A. and Ph.D. students to successfully enter their chosen careers in communication and related fields through our educational leadership in communication research, theory and practice. The department achieves this mission through the pursuit of communication for the public good. The undergraduate public relations track is one of only 44 programs around the globe certified by the Public Relations Society of America. The department has three research centers: the Center for Health and Risk Communication, the Mark and Heather Rosenker Center for Political Communication and Civic Leadership, and the Black Communication and Technology Lab. Candidates will have opportunities to collaborate with and contribute to the work of any of these centers. The department is also home to the Oral Communication Center. More information about the Department of Communication is available at http://www.communication.umd.edu/.

We seek candidates whose teaching and service have prepared them to contribute to the four pillars of the ARHU Strategic Plan: Transformative Thinking; Boundless Creativity; Expansive Empathy; and Meaningful Futures. Contributions toward those goals and values might include leadership in teaching, mentoring, or service towards building an equitable and inclusive scholarly environment and/or increasing access or participation of all individuals equitably and fairly.

This search is contingent upon the availability of funds.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education: Candidates must hold a Ph.D. in public relations, communication, mass communication, or a related field at the time of appointment and have the ability to advise graduate students.

Required Application Materials:

(1) a 1-2 page letter of interest that describes the applicant’s research program, connection(s) to ARHU’s four strategic pillars, and other qualifications; (2) a curriculum vitae that includes names and contact information for three references; (3) a teaching statement/philosophy and evidence of teaching effectiveness; and (4) two samples of recent research (i.e., journal articles, book chapters).

Physical Demands:

Normal classroom teaching demands. The University of Maryland, College Park is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment.

Additional Job Details

Best Consideration Date: 9/18/2026

Open Until Filled: Yes

Financial Disclosure Required

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Benefits Summary

For more information on Regular Faculty benefits, select this link.

Background Checks

Offers of employment are contingent on completion of a background check. Information reported by the background check will not automatically disqualify anyone from employment. Before any adverse decision, the finalist will have an opportunity to provide information to the University regarding disclosable background check information. The University reserves the right to rescind the offer of employment or otherwise decline or terminate employment if the information reported by the background check is deemed incompatible with the position, regardless of when the background check is completed.

Employment Eligibility

The successful candidate must complete employment eligibility verification (on Form I-9) by presenting documents that establish identity and work authorization within the timeframe required by federal immigration law, and where applicable, to demonstrate renewed employment authorization. Failure to complete employment eligibility verification or reverification within the timeframe set forth by law may result in suspension or termination of employment.

EEO Statement

The University of Maryland, College Park is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment. Please read the University’s Equal Employment Opportunity Statement of Policy.

Title IX Non-Discrimination Notice

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