Posting on September 20, 2026
Assistant Professor
Strategic Communication Hubbard School of Journalism and Mass Communication
College of Liberal Arts University of, Twin Cities
Appointment Start Date: August 30, 2027
About the Job:
The Hubbard School of Journalism and Mass Communication in the College of Liberal Arts invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track faculty position to begin fall semester 2027 (08/30/2027).
Appointment will be 100% time over the nine-month academic year (August 20, 2027- May 28, 2028) and will be at the rank of tenure-track assistant professor. Salary and start up package is competitive.
We are seeking an outstanding scholar with research and teaching experience that address contemporary issues in public relations and the strategic communication professions. An ideal candidate should have a research agenda that centers issues of public relations in the context of artificial intelligence and/or social media. This agenda may relate to areas such as (but not limited to) corporate social responsibility, public relations management, activist public relations, and crisis and risk communication. A preference will be given to individuals with professional experience in public relations/communications. The School seeks applicants whose research, practice, teaching, and service will further the undergraduate and graduate curriculum in strategic communication, as well as contribute to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion in higher education and at the University of Minnesota.
The successful candidates for this position will show outstanding promise and/or evidence of sustaining a vigorous program of original research and publication with potential for external funding; show promise and/or evidence of excellence in undergraduate and graduate teaching and advising (both M.A. and Ph.D.); and demonstrate the capacity and commitment to teach undergraduate courses in the areas of strategic communication case analysis, strategic communication campaigns, management for strategic communication, digital strategy for strategic communication, professional writing for strategic communication, and other strategic communication skills courses. The ability to contribute to the graduate curriculum in areas related to theory and research in public relations and advanced methods is preferred. Professional experience and the capacity to contribute to the ongoing development and delivery of a rapidly evolving AI and emerging-media focused professional curriculum is also preferred.
The faculty and staff at the Hubbard School of Journalism and Mass Communication are committed to building a culturally and socially diverse community. We believe it is a vital component of the distinction and excellence of our research and academic programs. We are eager to welcome a colleague who supports and enhances the School’s efforts toward inclusion, equity and the creation of a place where all constituents can thrive.
Faculty in the Hubbard School of Journalism and Mass Communication in the College of Liberal Arts are expected to maintain an active program of scholarly research that includes publication, develop and teach undergraduate and graduate courses; advise students; and contribute service appropriate for the rank of appointment to the school, college, University, and profession. For more information see:
Qualifications
Required: Ph.D. in Public Relations, Strategic Communication, Mass Communication, or relevant discipline by the date of appointment. Demonstrated experience or ability to teach professionally-oriented undergraduate public relations/strategic communication skills courses. Demonstrated scholarly output relevant to the field of public relations/strategic communication in the context of artificial intelligence and/or social media.
Preferred: Professional public relations/strategic communication experience and the capacity to contribute to the ongoing development and delivery of a rapidly evolving emerging-media focused professional strategic communication curriculum, including an understanding of advanced research methods. Evidence of the ability to work to support all students.
Candidates will be evaluated according to a) overall quality of their academic preparation and scholarly work, b) relevance of their scholarly research to the department's academic priorities and fields of inquiry, c) evidence of commitment to teaching and skills as a teacher, and d) strength of recommendations.
About the Hubbard School of Journalism and Mass Communication
The Hubbard School of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Minnesota is part of the College of Liberal Arts and is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Journalism and Mass Communication. The Hubbard School offers three undergraduate majors in Strategic Communication - Advertising and Public Relations, Professional Journalism, and Media and Information; and minors in Media and Information, Sports Media and Promotion Minor, and Digital Media Studies. The Hubbard School offers an academic M.A. and Ph.D. in Mass Communication and a Professional M.A. in Strategic Communication.
Housed in Murphy Hall, a state-of-the-art facility for teaching and research of journalism, strategic communication, and emerging media studies, the Hubbard School is home to the Silha Center for the Study of Media Ethics and Law, the Minnesota Journalism Center, the Strategic Communication Hub, Hubbard Digital Hub Studios, and the Digital Information Research Center/Sevareid Library. Hubbard facilities also include the Murphy Hall conference center, multimedia classrooms, and psychophysiological communication research labs, and a focus group room, which is used to support graduate-level experimental research. A 2025 Murphy Hall renovation enhances the dedicated office, meeting, interview, and event spaces available for the Silha Center. For further information, please visit the Hubbard School of Journalism and Mass communication's website, at: https://hubbardschool.umn.edu/
About the College of Liberal Arts
Home to the arts, social sciences and humanities disciplines and programs, the College of Liberal Arts is the largest college in the University of Minnesota and comprises 31 academic departments, and over 20 interdisciplinary research centers and administrative/support units. CLA has over 1,300 faculty and staff spanning research, teaching, advising, outreach, and administrative functions. CLA units reside in over twenty buildings on the East Bank and West Bank of the Twin Cities campus. CLA enrolls nearly 13,000 undergraduate students, over 40% of the undergraduate enrollment on the Twin Cities campus, 1,400 graduate students, and has an annual all-funds budget of $290 million.
CLA is a destination for curious, compassionate individuals who are committed to making our increasingly interdependent and diverse global community work for everyone. That foundational commitment begins in our CLA Constitution. CLA is committed to increasing enrollment of underrepresented and under-resourced students, diversifying our faculty across all disciplines, recruiting, and retaining a diverse staff, and promoting the expression and exploration of diverse perspectives and viewpoints—so that we all gain the background knowledge and analytical skills we need to understand and respect differences.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in CLA Working in CLA
Pay and Benefits
Pay Range: $90,000-$110,000, depending on education/qualifications/experience
Time Appointment: 100% 9-month Appointment
Position Type: Faculty Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.
The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:
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Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
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Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
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Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
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Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
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University HSA contributions
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Disability and employer-paid life insurance
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Employee wellbeing program
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Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
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Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
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Financial counseling services
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Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
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Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area
State law requires a good faith estimate of the salary range for all advertised positions. The range for this position is depending on discipline, experience and other considerations. Faculty positions also include significant start-up funds, as well as retirement, health and other benefits.
While our salary ranges provide a framework, it is important to note that most of the time, the initial pay may not reach the maximum of the range. This approach ensures that compensation reflects the value and unique contributions of each candidate while maintaining equity within our organization. As part of our commitment to fair and equitable compensation, please be aware that the salary offered to incoming candidates will be based on their individual credentials and experience.
Diversity & Equal Opportunity
The University of Minnesota recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.
The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the University of Minnesota: http://diversity.umn.edu.
Background Check
Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check and eligibility to work in the United States. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.
About the University of Minnesota
The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.
At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by Forbes as a Best Employer for Company Culture (2026), Best Employer for Women (2023, 2025, 2026), and Best Employer by State (2022-2026). In 2026, we also received Culture Excellence & Industry Awards recognition for employee appreciation and work-life flexibility.
How to Apply:
Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. Complete an online application for the position and attach both a cover letter and CV. Finalists will be asked to provide professional references.
Priority will be given to completed applications received by Oct. 21, 2026 but applications will be reviewed until the position is filled.
To learn more about this position, or nominate a candidate, please reach out to the search committee chair Erich Sommerfeldt (esommerf@umn.edu).