"Assistant Professor"

Job Details

Position Summary

The Department of Advertising and Public Relations in the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Georgia invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track faculty appointment at the rank of assistant professor in public relations. The faculty start date for this position will be August 1, 2026.

The ideal candidate must have a strong record of teaching and research in public relations and the ability to teach a range of undergraduate and graduate courses across our curriculum, such as Public Relations Management, Public Relations Communications, Public Relations Ethics and Leadership, Public Relations Campaigns, Advertising and Public Relations Theory, and Advertising and Public Relations Research. Mentoring graduate students is also expected.

Special Instructions to Applicants

Screening of applications will begin on September 12, 2025, and continue until the position is filled. Applicants should submit the following:

• a cover letter
• a curriculum vita
• the names, emails, and phone numbers of three references
• up to two academic writing samples/publications

Questions regarding the search should be directed to Dr. Michael Cacciatore, the search committee chair, at mcacciat@uga.edu.

Posting Details

Posting Number: F2394P

Working Title: Assistant Professor

Department: Grady-Advertising & PR

About the University of Georgia

Since our founding in 1785, the University of Georgia has operated as Georgia’s oldest, most comprehensive, and most diversified institution of higher education (https://www.uga.edu/). The proof is in our more than 235 years of academic and professional achievements and our continual commitment to higher education. UGA is currently ranked among the top 20 public universities in U.S. News & World Report. The University’s main campus is located in Athens, approximately 65 miles northeast of Atlanta, with extended campuses in Atlanta, Griffin, Gwinnett, and Tifton. UGA employs approximately 3,100 faculty and more than 7,700 full-time staff. The University’s enrollment exceeds 41,000 students including over 31,000 undergraduates and over 10,000 graduate and professional students. Academic programs reside in 19 schools and colleges, including our newly formed School of Medicine.

About the College/Unit/Department

About the Department of Advertising and Public Relations
The Department of Advertising and Public Relations is a Top Five Outstanding Education Program ranked by PRWeek in 2024 and 2025. We have a dedicated team of award-winning teachers and internationally and nationally recognized scholars. As a hub for interdisciplinary research and professional development, AdPR houses the Brain, Body, and Media (BBAM) Lab, the Center for Advanced Computer-Human Ecosystems, the Center for Health and Risk Communication, the Crisis Communication Think Tank, and the SEE Suite for Social Media Engagement & Evaluation. AdPR is the proud home of Talking Dog, a student-led full-service advertising and public relations agency that fosters growth for both clients and members through next-generation perspectives. AdPR offers two undergraduate certificate programs, the Public Affairs Communications Certificate program in collaboration with the School of Public and International Affairs and the Strategic Health and Risk Communications Certificate program in collaboration with the College of Public Health. AdPR also offers diverse study abroad and field study programs in New York City, Washington D.C., Chicago, Japan, and Cannes, France.

About the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication
UGA’s Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2015. The college offers M.A., M.F.A., and Ph.D. degrees, and it offers undergraduate degrees in advertising, entertainment and media studies, journalism, and public relations. The college hosts student chapters of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA), the American Advertising Federation (AdClub), the National Association of Black Journalists, the National Association of Hispanic Journalists, Women in Media, the Online News Association, the National Press Photographers Association, the Society of Professional Journalists, and the Association for Women in Sports Media. Learn more about the Department of Advertising and Public Relations and the Grady College at www.grady.uga.edu.

Anticipated Start Date: 08/01/2026

Job Posting Date: 06/10/2025

Open until filled: Yes

Location of Vacancy: Athens Area

Position Information

Classification Title: Assistant Professor

Faculty Rank: Assistant Professor

Contract Type: Academic (9 mo.)

Tenure Status: Tenure Track

Minimum Qualifications

Ph.D. in mass communication, public relations, communication, or a closely related field. ABD candidates will be considered.

Additional Requirements

• Subject matter expertise in public relations and/or related areas.
• Record of teaching effectiveness in courses related to public relations and/or other communication-related areas.

Relevant/Preferred Education, Experience, Licensure, and/or Certification

• Some industry background is also a plus, as is expertise in grants writing and seeking external funding, including via interdisciplinary collaboration.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and/or Competencies

• An active research agenda and a proven strong research record/potential in public relations that includes publication of peer-reviewed articles in leading scholarly journals in public relations, communication, mass communication, media, journalism, and/or related fields.
• We welcome all research methods but are especially interested in qualitative and/or historical perspectives. Those with a qualitative and/or historical perspective are strongly encouraged to apply.

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

1. Resume/CV
2. Cover Letter
3. List of References with Contact Information
4. Writing Sample