"Assistant Professor, Digital Cultures and Ethnography"

Job Details

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Job Title: Assistant Professor, Digital Cultures and Ethnography

Department: Arts and Sciences | Comparative Studies

Tenure-Track Assistant Professor, Digital Cultures and Ethnography

Department of Comparative Studies

College of Arts and Sciences

Tenure faculty (regardless of rank) - persons with the titles of professor, associate professor, assistant professor and instructor who serve on appointments totaling 50% or more service to the university and who are eligible for tenure or who have obtained tenure. Duties and responsibilities are assigned in accordance with the workload guidelines laid out in the pattern of administration of each faculty member’s tenure initiation unit (TIU) and, as appropriate, regional campus; obligations will include research, service and/or teaching or clinical practice. These faculty will have earned doctorate or other terminal degree in the relevant field of study or possession of equivalent experience.

Position Overview

The Department of Comparative Studies at the Ohio State University invites applications for a position in Digital Cultures and Ethnography at the rank of tenure-track assistant professor. The field of specialization is open. We seek a scholar whose work reflects the Department’s commitment to critical, interdisciplinary approaches to culture and society broadly conceived; potential disciplinary backgrounds include, but are not limited to, Folklore Studies, Cultural Studies, Anthropology, Science and Technology Studies, Information Science, and Media Studies. The department especially seeks candidates with expertise in current debates concerning digital cultures, ethnography, and artificial intelligence. The scholar’s research may engage with topics such as: online groups and communities, genres, and contexts; the politics of information and misinformation; social media and online mythmaking; new global forms of folklore and performance; worldmaking projects in and beyond virtual spaces; social, political, and environmental implications of digital technologies and data cultures; and other key issues concerning contemporary life. We are particularly interested in candidates trained and actively engaged in digital ethnography, although we welcome applicants whose work also incorporates other methods. The candidate will be able to offer introductory courses in Ohio State’s General Education program, as well as upper-level undergraduate and graduate courses in the department. We highly value evidence of candidates’ experience with program development, securing external resources, and building interdisciplinary connections and research initiatives.

The Department of Comparative Studies is a highly interdisciplinary space. The successful candidate’s work will be in conversation with one or more of the fields represented in the Comparative Studies program: Folklore Studies, Cultural Studies, Indigenous Studies, Race, Gender, and Ethnic Studies, Literary Studies, Religious Studies, and Science and Technology Studies.

Performance Objectives

• Develop and maintain a productive research program in the areas of digital cultures and ethnography
• Teach courses at the undergraduate and graduate level, including contributing to departmental strengths in folklore, science and technology studies, and/or cultural studies
• Demonstrate excellence in student mentoring
• Contribute to program development, curricular development, and other service to the department

Education and Experience Requirements

Required: Candidates must have Ph.D. in hand at the time of appointment (August 15, 2026). ABDs are welcome to apply.

Desired: Candidates with training in digital ethnography are preferred as well as those whose work intersects with other fields represented within the department.

Ohio State provides access to a depth and breadth of opportunities and resources. Starting your first day, Ohio State offers you a comprehensive benefits package.

How to Apply

To be considered, please submit your application electronically via Workday. Application period closes 11/10/2025. Application materials submitted in Workday must include:

• Attachment 1: Cover Letter: 1-2 page letter, which should include a brief summary of your academic background and why you are interested in this opportunity.
• Attachment 2: CV (Curriculum Vitae): Detailed overview of your scholarly experience, including your research experience, teaching and mentoring experience, service, funding, and publications.
• Attachment 3: Research Statement: Summary of your past research accomplishments, current work/research, and proposal for your future research plan as a faculty member.
• Attachment 4: Teaching Statement: A statement of your approaches, experience and philosophy regarding your teaching, learning, and mentoring.
• Attachment 5: A writing sample.

Candidates selected to move forward in the process will be asked to provide three letters of reference.