University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Hiring Assistant Professor of Rhetoric

The Department of Communication is one of 44 departments and curricula in the College of Arts & Sciences. As the largest unit on campus, the College of Arts & Sciences forms the academic core of the Carolina experience. Through teaching, research, and service, the Department of Communication addresses how communication functions to create, sustain, and transform personal life, social relations, political institutions, economic organizations, and cultural and aesthetic conventions in society. Recognized for significant contributions to the profession, University, state, and nation the Department houses a PhD program, a major in Communication, an interdisciplinary major in Cultural Studies, and a minor in Writing for the Screen and Stage. It serves as the intellectual home for 25 faculty members, 45 graduate students, and over 600 undergraduates. The Department’s doctoral program offers a theoretically rich, interdisciplinary, problem-based approach to education and research that enables graduate students to de-fine their own research in response to the changing demands of a constantly evolving communicative and cultural world. The Department’s undergraduate major features four structured concentrations: interpersonal and organizational communication; media and technology studies and production; performance studies; and rhetoric. Each concentration offers the Department’s majors, as well as the hundreds of pan-University non-majors who seek out our classes, a set of critical capacities that contribute to an engaged, creative, and critical 21st century citizen.

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill invites applications for a tenure track position at the rank of Assistant Professor specializing in Rhetoric to begin July 1, 2023. The Department of Communication is seeking to hire an Assistant Professor of Rhetoric whose research and teaching focus on rhetoric of new media (video games and gaming, AI, digital art, AR/VR, digital and interactive storytelling, etc.). As a tenure track faculty member, duties will include research, teaching undergraduate and graduate classes on rhetoric, new media technologies, and in their areas of specialization, graduate advising, and departmental service.

PhD in Communication, Rhetoric, or related field. ABD will be considered with confirmation of scheduled defense date before or during the Fall 2023 semester.

Preference will be given to scholars whose work addresses how rhetoric of new media intersects with scholarship engaging marginalized publics. Marginalized publics include groups who experience marginalization based on race, gender, sex and gender identification, sexual orientation, ability/disability, citizenship status, as well as other categories. Candidates’ research and pedagogy should be informed by critical theory and antiracist scholarship, which complements our department’s strengths and continued investment in the roles that communication plays in the fight for equity and justice. Preference may also be given to candidates with a focus on the relationship between public advocacy and new media; critical thinking about digital discourses, cultures, and spaces; and/or production/maker skills related to new media such as game design, programming, motion graphics or animation.

Interested candidates should send (1) a cover letter that addresses all minimum and any preferred qualifications met; (2) curriculum vitae; (3) a description of teaching philosophy and approaches; (4) a sample syllabus; (5) teaching evaluations for one class where you were the instructor of record (if available); (6) a writing sample; (7) a statement of approach and commitment to racial equity and diversity in research and pedagogy; and (8) the names and contact in-formation of three references. The search committee may ask for more materials, including reference letters, from selected candidates as needed.

If you experience any problems accessing the system or have questions about the application process, please contact the University’s Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost office at (919)-962-1091 or send an email to facultyrecruitment@unc.edu.

Please note: The Executive Vice Chancellor & Provost office will not be able to provide specific updates regarding position or application status. 

If you have any questions about the job requirements or the hiring department notify the Department Contact.

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or status as a protected veteran.