Posting on July 15, 2026
Open Track Position in Creative Media and Production (Fall 2027)
The University of Tennessee - Knoxville: Knoxville Academic Units: College of Communication and Information: Journalism & Media
Location
Knoxville, TN
Open Date
Jul 13, 2026
Description
School of Journalism and Media, Full Time - The University of Tennessee School of Journalism and Media seeks to fill an open-track position in creative media and production. This position may be filled as a tenure-track or non-tenure track hire at the advanced assistant or associate professor rank. The position is to begin on August 1, 2027.
The School of Journalism and Media seeks a creative media colleague with expertise in media production and emerging technologies such as or including artificial intelligence, and a contemporary understanding of the changing aspects of the production process and the field. The ability to teach in two or more of the following areas is strongly desired: video production, audio production and podcasting, documentary film, screenwriting, and creative storytelling, including mobile and social platform content. We particularly value applicants who teach the integration of emerging technologies and artificial intelligence in the production process and who see the role of emerging technology in “craft,” while weighing ethical considerations and contexts. For tenure-line or tenure-track applicants, we especially welcome those whose creative activity or research complements the aforementioned areas. The salary for the position is competitive and commensurate with experience. Required and preferred qualifications vary depending on the track of the applicant as noted below.
The School of Journalism and Media
Housed in the College of Communication and Information, the School of Journalism and Media includes 20 full-time faculty members who engage in quantitative and qualitative research as well as creative activity, with the goal of advancing knowledge in journalism and media and educating and equipping the next generation of communication professionals. The school offers coursework at both the graduate and undergraduate levels. In partnership with The Media Center, students have opportunities for vast hands-on experience in film and documentary work (Land Grant Films), video production (Lumos Media), public radio (NPR member station WUOT-FM), college radio station WUTK-FM, student-led television station TVC, the Tennessee Club Sports Network (TCSN), and Ablaze magazine. The School serves nearly 500 undergraduate majors and 20 master’s and doctoral students. Visit the websites for the College and School for more information.
The College of Communication and Information
The College of Communication and Information (CCI) consists of four schools: Advertising and Public Relations, Communication Studies, Information Sciences, and Journalism and Media. CCI has approximately 1,700 undergraduate students (across five majors in advertising, public relations, communication studies, information sciences, and journalism and media) and approximately 500 graduate students (including College-wide M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in communication & information and an M.S. degree in information sciences). The College’s Research & Innovation Center (RIC) provides a wide array of support services for CCI faculty interested in pursuing sponsored research. The Center involves dozens of researchers across various disciplines and agencies to focus the array of talent in CCI, the University of Tennessee, the nearby Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Great Smoky Mountains National Park (40 minutes away), and other research institutions in the pursuit and conduct of sponsored research. College-wide research facilities include: the Adam Brown Social Media Command Center, the Scripps Convergence Lab, a User Experience Lab, and a Message Effects/Focus Group Lab.
The University of Tennessee and Knoxville
The University of Tennessee is the state of Tennessee’s flagship university and its only public Carnegie Research 1 institution. As a land-grant university and as Volunteers, serving the state and nation is key to its mission. UT enrolls approximately 40,000 students at its Knoxville campus. The University culture is guided by adherence to core values that define the Volunteer spirit and include seeking knowledge, leading with innovation and integrity, advancing access and engagement, engaging locally and globally, and embracing responsible stewardship of resources.
Nestled in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, Knoxville has a metropolitan statistical area population of more than 850,000 people. This moderate-sized city has a vibrant nightlife that includes numerous theaters and museums, a great music scene, a symphony orchestra and an opera company, world-class restaurants, many cultural festivals, and a downtown market square. Surrounded by 8 lakes and the Tennessee River, the Knoxville area boasts wonderful year-round water activities, including boating, fishing, and swimming that make for scenic and breathtaking views of the area. Knoxville is also home to many leading corporations, including Warner Brothers/Discovery, Regal Cinemas, Bush Brothers & Company, Tennessee Valley Authority, Ruby Tuesday, Pilot Flying J, and Alcoa. It also has several prominent advertising/public relations firms and is the fifth largest video production center in the United States.
The Knoxville campus of the University of Tennessee is seeking candidates who have the ability to promote an atmosphere where all members of the university community feel welcome and can thrive.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications:
Tenure-line or tenure-track Position
- Terminal degree (e.g. Ph.D., MFA) in a relevant field at time of appointment
- Advanced assistant professor or associate professor rank at existing institution
- Strong, active and established record of peer-reviewed published academic work or established record of juried, award-winning creative media work in highly regarded festivals or exhibitions
The successful candidate currently has, or has demonstrated the ability to generate, externally funded research or creative activity. Responsibilities include maintaining an active program of research/creative activity, teaching undergraduate and graduate level courses (2/2 load), and performing service to the school, college, university, and discipline.
- Candidates for the advanced Assistant Professor rank should have a minimum of three years’ experience teaching creative media and production courses at the college level as an assistant professor, evidence of excellence in research/creative activity and teaching; and a demonstrated readiness for continued success and advancement at a state flagship campus such as University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
- Candidates for the Associate Professor rank should demonstrate a strong record of excellence in both research/creative activity and teaching consistent with expectations for appointment at the Associate Professor rank at a Carnegie-classified Research 1 university or state flagship institution such as University of Tennessee, Knoxville. They should also show meaningful service contributions to their scholarly fields and their home institutions.
Non-Tenure-track Position
Candidates with a bachelor’s degree and other appropriate credentials will also be considered:
- Bachelor’s degree (minimum) in a relevant field at time of appointment
- Strong, active and established record of juried, award-winning creative media work in highly regarded festivals or exhibitions
- Teaching experience in higher education
Qualifications for the non-tenure track position vary depending on title series and rank as follows:
Of Practice Series
- Candidates for the advanced Assistant Professor of Practice rank should have professional experience in the field, teaching experience in creative media and production courses at the college level, evidence of excellence in creative media work (or research) and teaching; and demonstrate readiness for continued success and advancement at a state flagship campus such as University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
- Candidates for the Associate Professor of Practice rank should have significant professional experience in the field and demonstrate a strong record of excellence in creative media work (or research) and teaching consistent with expectations for appointment at the Associate Professor rank at a Carnegie-classified Research 1 university or state flagship institution such as University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
Teaching Series
- Candidates for the advanced Teaching Assistant Professor rank must hold a terminal degree in the field (e.g. Ph.D., MFA), should have experience teaching creative media and production courses at the college level and evidence of excellence in creative media work (or research) and teaching, and a demonstrated readiness for continued success and advancement at a state flagship campus such as University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
- Candidates for the Teaching Associate Professor rank must hold a terminal degree in the field (e.g. Ph.D., MFA), should have experience teaching creative media and production courses at the college level, and demonstrate a strong record of excellence in creative media work (or research) and teaching consistent with expectations for appointment at the Associate Professor rank at a Carnegie-classified Research 1 university or state flagship institution such as University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
Application Instructions
To apply, please submit a letter of application, curriculum vitae or resume, the names and contact information of at least three references, and teaching evaluations on Interfolio. Submit applications on Interfolio. Please email jem@utk.edu with any questions, using the subject line: Creative Media Position.
Review of applications begins September 15, 2026 and continues until the position is filled.
Application Process
This institution is using Interfolio's Faculty Search to conduct this search. Applicants to this position receive a free Dossier account and can send all application materials, including confidential letters of recommendation, free of charge.
Apply Now https://apply.interfolio.com/189452
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment and admission without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, and parental status, or any other characteristic protected by federal or state law. In accordance with the requirements of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the University of Tennessee affirmatively states that it does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, or disability in its education programs and activities, and this policy extends to employment by the university.
Requests for accommodation of a disability should be directed to the ADA Coordinator at Equal Opportunity and Accessibility, 1840 Melrose Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37996-3560, by email to eoa@utk.edu, or by phone at 865-974-2498. Inquiries and charges of violation of Title VI (race, color, and national origin), Title IX (sex), Section 504 (disability), the ADA (disability), the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (age), sexual orientation, or veteran status should be directed to the Office of Investigation and Resolution, 216 Business Incubator Building, E J. Chapman Drive, Knoxville, TN 37996-3560, by email to investigations@utk.edu, or by phone at 865-974-0717.