"Full Professor/Professor of Practice in Journalism and Media - Fall 2026"

The School of Journalism & Media, housed within the College of Communication and Information, is seeking the next Julia G. and Alfred G. Hill Chair of Excellence in Science, Technology, and Medical Writing to begin August 1, 2026. The position can be configured as a tenure-track or non-tenure-track position, based on the applicant’s background. The ideal tenure-track candidate exhibits a strong record of academic research and instruction in science, technology, environment and/or medicine. An ideal non-tenure-track candidate may be a journalist/communicator of high stature with a record of publication in the areas of science, technology, environment and/or medicine. In both cases, we seek an expert who will be an active writer, researcher, and teacher, while serving as a public ambassador for science, technology, environment and/or medical writing and reporting, translating complex issues to the general public for their well-being, appreciation, and enjoyment.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Teaching undergraduate and/or graduate-level courses in science, technology, environment and/or medical writing and reporting.
• Conducting research and writing.
• Public outreach, educational, and engagement activities that, consistent with the public land-grant mission, translate scientific, technological, environmental and/or medical findings and knowledge to a lay audience to enhance public awareness, understanding, and well-being.
• Conducting outreach activities to journalists and other media professionals serving the people of Tennessee and beyond, offering training in science, technology, environment and/or medical reporting and writing, and serving as a liaison between the state’s media and the professional scientific community.
• Performing service to the school, college, university, and discipline.

The School of Journalism and Media includes 20 full-time faculty members who engage in quantitative and qualitative research as well as creative activity, with the goal of advancing knowledge in journalism and media and educating and equipping the next generation of communication professionals. The school offers coursework at both the graduate and undergraduate levels. In partnership with The Media Center, students have opportunities for vast hands-on experience in film and documentary work (Land Grant Films), video production (Lumos Media), public radio (NPR member station WUOT-FM), news publication (Beacon), college radio (WUTK-FM), student-led television station TVC, and Ablaze magazine. The School serves more than 450 undergraduate majors and 20 master’s and doctoral students. Visit the websites for the College and School for more information.

The College of Communication and Information (CCI) consists of four schools: Advertising and Public Relations, Communication Studies, Information Sciences, and Journalism and Media. CCI has approximately 1,800 undergraduate majors and approximately 500 graduate students. The College’s Research & Innovation Center provides support services for faculty interested in pursuing sponsored research.

The University of Tennessee is the state of Tennessee’s flagship university and its only public Carnegie Research 1 institution. As a land-grant university, serving the state and nation is key to its mission. UT enrolls approximately 30,000 students at its Knoxville campus.

The School of Journalism & Media seeks a colleague with expertise in science, technology, and/or medical writing and reporting and a contemporary understanding of the issues in this realm.

Required Qualifications:

Tenure-track Position

Ph.D. in a relevant field at time of appointment

Strong, active and established publication record

Evidence of publication in science, technology, environment and/or medical topics

Enthusiasm for and a desire to engage with the public for the dissemination of knowledge

Non-Tenure-Track Position

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field at time of appointment

Strong, active and established publication record in science, technology, environment and/or medical topics

Demonstrated success in the field of journalism/communication, as related to science, technology, environment and/or medicine

Enthusiasm for and a desire to engage with the public for the dissemination of knowledge

Preferred Qualifications:

Record of securing external funding

Teaching experience in higher education

Experience in engaging with the public for the dissemination of knowledge.

To apply, please submit a letter of application, curriculum vita or resume, and the names and contact information of at least three references. In your letter of application include whether you want to be considered as a candidate for Professor or Professor of Practice. Review of applications begins September 8, 2025, and continues until the position is filled.