Job Description Summary, Duties and Responsibilities, Required Qualifications and Preferred Qualifications
The search will remain open until the position has been filled. First consideration will be given to applications received by November 7, 2025. Applications received after November 7, 2025 may be reviewed depending on search progress and needs but are not guaranteed full consideration.
The Harrington School of Communication and Media at the University of Rhode Island invites applicants with expertise in health communication, science communication, and/or environmental communication for a tenure-line faculty position at the rank of assistant professor in communication studies to begin fall 2026.
The Department of Communication Studies is interested in growing its emphasis in health communication, including helping students develop skills in the dissemination of health information in the community; developing communication among health providers, family, and caregivers; and using communication technologies to develop health-related outcomes. Candidates with expertise in science communication and environmental communication are also encouraged to apply, and we are particularly interested in candidates who could also contribute to our offerings in interpersonal, organizational, and/or intercultural communication. Responsibilities include conducting research; teaching existing courses; developing new courses in the candidate's area(s) of expertise; and performing service to the department/program, school, college, and university.
We seek candidates who demonstrate the ability to develop a sustained research agenda, provide evidence of successful teaching, and demonstrate the ability to work effectively with students, faculty, staff, and administrators. Opportunities also exist for collaborations with colleagues in the College of Health Sciences, the College of Pharmacy, the College of Nursing, the College of the Environment and Life Sciences, the Graduate School of Oceanography, the Graduate Certificate in Science Writing & Rhetoric, the Environmental Humanities & Arts B.A., and the Mental & Behavioral Health Counseling M.S.
The Harrington School of Communication and Media is a leader in communication and media research and education. Administratively housed within the College of Arts and Sciences, the largest college in the University of Rhode Island, the Harrington School is home to programs in communication studies, digital media, film/media, journalism, library and information studies, public relations, sports media and communication, and professional and public writing. The salary range for this position is competitive and commensurate with similar positions at comparable institutions. https://uriaaup.org/contract-salary-structure/salary-structure-2026-27-tenure-track-research-clinical-faculty/
The ideal candidate for this position will be joining an engaging community of 65 full-time faculty, 100 part-time instructors, and 1350 undergraduate and graduate students, and will teach and work with students in our new $6.8 million communication and media hub and newly renovated broadcast center. A core part of URI's mission is to foster a diverse, inclusive, and equitable environment for researchers, teachers, learners, and community members. We are guided by the foundational values of inclusivity, accessibility, equity, and respect, upholding the rights and dignity of all.
The University of Rhode Island is conveniently located near the state's famous beaches, one mile from an Amtrak station connecting to Boston and New York City, 20 miles from T.F. Green International Airport, and 30 miles from Providence, Rhode Island. The University of Rhode Island is an equal opportunity employer. It is the policy of the University of Rhode Island to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Develop and deliver new courses in communication studies at the undergraduate level and graduate level. Teach and enhance existing or new course offerings, advise students, develop a scholarly or creative agenda, and perform service at the department/program, school, college, and/or university level(s) as appropriate.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
1. Ph.D. (or similar terminal research degree) in communication studies or a related field with a demonstrated area of specialization in health communication, science communication, and/or environmental communication. ABD candidates will be considered; if hired, the degree must be completed no later than September 1, 2026.
2. Ability to develop and deliver courses at the undergraduate level in health communication, science communication, and/or environmental communication.
3. Ability to develop a scholarly or creative agenda in an area related to health communication, science communication, and/or environmental communication.
4. Proficiency in oral communication.
5. Proficiency in written communication.
6. Proficiency in electronic media.
7. Ability to foster a diverse, inclusive, and equitable environment.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
1. Experience teaching health communication, science communication, and/or environmental communication at the undergraduate and/or graduate level.
2. Evidence of seeking and/or securing funding for research or creative work.
3. Knowledge of digital media as it relates to health communication, science communication, and/or environmental communication.
4. Professional experience in health communication, science communication, and/or environmental communication.
5. Experience teaching courses in interpersonal communication, organizational communication, and/or intercultural communication.
Union: AAUP - American Assoc of Univ Professors
Status: Academic Year, Full-time, Tenure-track, Permanent
Department: Communication Studies
Special Instructions to Applicants
Please attach the following 5 (PDF) documents to your online Faculty Employment Application:
(#1) Cover letter including a description of how your qualifications match the requirements for the position (as one complete document).
(#2) Curriculum Vitae, including the names and contact information for three professional references outside URI (as one complete document).
(#3) Statement of teaching philosophy, including evidence of teaching effectiveness (as one complete document).
(#4) Statement of research interest/agenda, including your potential for securing external funding (as one complete document).
(#5) Other Document - a sample of written work and/or a link to an example of a creative production (as one complete document).