Assistant Professor, Communication

Job Title
Assistant Professor, Communication


Requisition Number
FE04645


Working Title

Department Name
8M200:Communication


Work Location
Lexington, KY


Type of Position
Faculty


Position Time Status
Full-Time


Tenure Track Status
Tenure Track


Required Education

The successful candidate will have a Ph.D. in communication by August 16, 2026. The candidate’s primary focus can be in any of the following areas: interpersonal/intergroup, sport, health, organizational, or media communication.



Required Related Experience

We are looking for someone who has a strong research portfolio and a record (or potential) of publication activity that is consistent with a major R1 university. The ideal candidate should also be a great teacher who can connect with and inspire students.



Required License/Registration/Certification

NA



Job Summary

Tenure-Track ASSISTANT PROFESSOR in Communication



The Department of Communication in the College of Communication and Information at the University of Kentucky seeks applications for an Assistant Professor position with an emphasis in any of the following areas: interpersonal/intergroup, sport, health, organizational, or media communication. This is a regular title series, tenure-eligible, 9-month position, with appointment at the rank of Assistant Professor. Tenure-eligible means candidates must first meet the prescribed criteria per Administrative Regulation 2:2-1 and statements of evidence to be granted tenure. The anticipated start date is August 16, 2026. We are looking for someone who is passionate about communication and ready to join our dynamic and collaborative team.



About the Department:

The Department of Communication offers a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science in Communication with undergraduate major options in business and organizational communication, digital and mass communication, health communication, human communication, and sport communication, as well as a minor in communication and an Undergraduate Certificate in health communication. Our department prides itself on a supportive atmosphere where we aim to provide assistant professors the resources to become successful and well-rounded academics. We are located in the heart of horse and bourbon country: Lexington, Kentucky.


Summary of Qualifications and Responsibilities

The successful candidate will have a Ph.D. in communication by August 16, 2026. The candidate’s primary focus can be in any of the following areas: interpersonal/intergroup, sport, health, organizational, or media communication. We are looking for someone who has a strong research portfolio and a record (or potential) of publication activity that is consistent with a major R1 university. The ideal candidate should also be a great teacher who can connect with and inspire students.

Although not required, we are particularly interested in candidates whose research areas intersect with the strengths of our faculty. Also, if your research program has been funded or has the potential for extramural funding, this is a bonus.


You will be expected to actively engage in theory-driven, social scientific empirical research (quantitative or qualitative), teach two courses per academic semester, serve on program and student committees, and grow with and enhance our department.



This position will have typical distribution of effort of 50% research/scholarship, 45% teaching, (which equates to two courses per semester), and 5% service, although faculty workload is evaluated annually.


About the College:

The College of Communication and Information is composed of two schools (School of Information Science and School of Journalism and Media), two departments (Department of Communication and Department of Integrated Strategic Communication), and interdisciplinary master’s and PhD programs. More than 100 full-time faculty lead nearly 2,300 undergraduate majors and 400 graduate students while also teaching in the university’s core curriculum and serving students pursuing minors and certificates in the college. The college also houses University of Kentucky’s independent student newspaper, The Kentucky Kernel, and the championship winning Intercollegiate Debate Team.


About the University:

Located in the vibrant city of Lexington, the University of Kentucky is a public, land-grant institution that plays a critical leadership role in promoting wide access to education, economic development, and human well-being. The campus is home to 35,000 students, more than 2,500 faculty members, and nearly 14,000 staff members. The university is one of just eight in the country with a major academic health center and a full spectrum of academic colleges and professional schools on one contiguous campus. As such, the University of Kentucky is an incubator for interdisciplinary research. These collaborations allow researchers to address the rapidly changing needs of a global society.


Employment at UK is subject to fund availability and comes with comprehensive rewards, focusing on your total well-being and career development, with leadership striving to provide a strong work-life integration. The University generously contributes to employees’ retirement plans, medical coverage, and life insurance. In addition, UK offers optional benefits such as dental and vision insurance, additional retirement plans and much more. To learn more about these benefits, please visit: https://hr.uky.edu/employment/our-benefits


About Lexington:

The City of Lexington is a great place to live, work, and study. It recently appeared on USA Today’s list of the top cities to live in. With a population of roughly 320,000, Lexington offers the warmth and lower cost of living of a small city, along with many of the amenities enjoyed in a larger city, including the arts, cultural events, and a thriving dining scene. https://www.visitlex.com/


Application materials should include a letter of application that briefly summarizes background, qualifications, and interest in the position; a curriculum vita; a brief research statement reviewing focus, expertise, accomplishments, and goals (attach as Specific Request 1); a brief teaching statement including philosophy of teaching and evidence of teaching excellence (attach as Specific Request 2); and contact information for three references when prompted in the application.


Application review will begin October 18, 2025, and continue until the position is filled. Questions regarding the position may be directed to the Search Committee Chair, Allison Gordon at a.gordon@uky.edu.



Skills / Knowledge / Abilities

Does this position have supervisory responsibilities?
No


Preferred Education/Experience

Although not required, we are particularly interested in candidates whose research areas intersect with the strengths of our faculty. Also, if your research program has been funded or has the potential for extramural funding, this is a bonus.



Deadline to Apply

Open Until Filled
Yes


Our University Community

We value the well-being of each of our employees and are dedicated to creating a healthy place for everyone to work, learn and live. In the interest of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students, employees, patients and visitors, the University of Kentucky is a Tobacco & Drug Free campus.

The University follows both the federal and state Constitutions as well as all applicable federal and state laws on nondiscrimination. The University provides equal opportunities for qualified persons in all aspects of institutional operations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, uniformed service, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information or social or economic status or whether the person is a smoker or nonsmoker, as long as the person complies with University regulation concerning smoking.

Any candidate offered a position may be required to pass pre-employment screenings as mandated by University of Kentucky Human Resources. These screenings may include a national background check and/or drug screen.