Assistant Professor - Department of Communication

Position Summary:

Located in Tampa and on the traditional Homelands and territories of the Seminole, the University of South Florida is a vibrant, urban research university. The Department of Communication at the University of South Florida seeks to fill a 9-month, fulltime and tenure-earning Assistant Professor of Communication position with a specialty in computational methods. A PhD in Communication or related area is required. Applications from individuals who are ABD will be accepted, but the degree must be conferred by appointment start date. Salary is negotiable. We encourage Black, Latina/o/x, and Native American and other historically underrepresented candidates to apply.

We seek a social scientist whose research uses quantitative, computational methods. The ideal candidate will conduct theory-driven, empirical, communication research; have the promise of, or an outstanding research record; and the potential for obtaining external funding.

We encourage applications from all sub-fields of Communication. Possible methodological approaches include, but are not limited to semantic network analysis, big data analytics, data visualization, machine learning (ML), natural language processing (NLP), social network analysis (SNA).

Our faculty values and uses a range of humanistic and social scientific modes to communication inquiry and seeks a colleague who appreciates our department’s methodological range. We are particularly interested in applicants who can highlight how their research implicates issues of diversity, equity, accessibility, social justice, and/or public engagement. Areas of research could include, but are not limited to, ethics, protest movements and activism, politics, organizing, algorithms, disinformation, or technology platforms.

Applicants should be able to teach undergraduate and graduate courses, in particular quantitative methods, in face-to-face and online formats. The candidate should be able to teach and/or integrate computational social science topics into their courses, including Python or R. The ability to mentor masters and doctoral students is preferred.

The Department is committed to removing barriers that have been traditionally encountered by individuals from underrepresented groups; strives to recruit and retain faculty who will further enhance our diversity; and makes every attempt to support their academic, professional, and personal success while they are here.

Information for Applicants

How to Apply

To apply, please visit http://employment.usf.edu and click on the Apply Now button to submit materials. When applying to an opening you will have the opportunity to upload all required materials in one attachment. Only online applications are accepted for this position.

Please submit the following, compiled in one pdf document, by 11/12/21, in this order*:

• A cover letter (no longer than two pages) that includes information related to research and teaching
• A CV
• One article/chapter-length publication
• Names and contact information for three references

*More materials, including a teaching portfolio, an extended research statement, diversity statement, and letters of reference may be requested at a later date.

Review of applications will begin after 11/12/21. Questions about this position should be addressed to Joshua M. Scacco, Search Committee Chair (jscacco@usf.edu).

The University of South Florida is a high-impact global research university dedicated to student success. Over the past 10 years, no other public university in the country has risen faster in U.S. News and World Report’s national university rankings than USF. Serving more than 50,000 students on campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg and Sarasota-Manatee, USF is designated as a Preeminent State Research University by the Florida Board of Governors, placing it in the most elite category among the state’s 12 public universities. USF has earned widespread national recognition for its success graduating underrepresented minority and limited-income students at rates equal to or higher than white and higher income students. USF is a member of the American Athletic Conference. Learn more at www.usf.edu.

Job Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS (Education & Experience):

Minimum Qualifications:

Candidates must have:

• A doctoral degree in Communication or a related field from an accredited institution at time of appointment.
• A demonstrated record or promise of achievement in academic research using quantitative, computational methods. Must meet university criteria for appointment to the rank of Assistant Professor.

Preferred Qualifications:

Preference will be given to applicants with:

• A record of achievement in academic research using quantitative, computational methods that demonstrates the ability to earn tenure at a research-1 institution.
• Research that implicates issues of diversity, equity, accessibility, social justice, and/or public engagement, and fits with department foci.
• Experience teaching courses in communication or related fields, particularly quantitative and/or computational methods.
• The ability to mentor masters and doctoral students.