"Open rank, Tenure-Track Faculty Position in Language, Interaction, and Interpersonal Communication"

The Department of Communication at Rutgers University’s School of Communication and Information seeks a full-time faculty member in language, interaction, and interpersonal communication. The search is open rank and the appointment will begin Fall 2026.

We are looking for a scholar of language and social interaction and/or interpersonal communication who conducts applied empirical research of interaction and/or communication in complex social and relational contexts. We welcome applicants whose research and teaching interests address contemporary communication problems, such as facilitating difficult or high-stakes conversations in personal, family, professional, or community contexts. This might include such topics as managing conflict, social support, mediation, or negotiating relationships in personal or professional contexts, off or on-line. The candidate should have a research program that is empirical, theory-driven, and communication-centered.

Our faculty members employ a wide range of empirical and methodological approaches in their research. We encourage applications from candidates whose scholarship intersects with and/or complements one or more of the department’s research foci (interpersonal communication, language and social interaction, health communication, organizational communication, communication and technology, and computational social science) and/or other areas within the school, such as media studies and information science. For more about the Department of Communication and the School of Communication and Information (SC&I), see http://comminfo.rutgers.edu.

We look forward to welcoming a new colleague who will contribute to our thriving undergraduate and master’s-level programs and our highly regarded interdisciplinary school-wide Ph.D. program.

Responsibilities of tenure-track and tenured faculty members include undergraduate and graduate teaching assignments, an active program of research in the candidate’s area of scholarly expertise, and service contributions in accordance with the university policy for tenure‐track and tenured appointments.

MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

A Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in a relevant field is expected as of June 2026 for a September start date. Applicants should have a demonstrated record or strong likelihood of theoretically grounded scholarship in top-tier peer-reviewed publications and evidence of or preparation for effective teaching. The search is open rank. Applicants at the rank of associate or full professor should provide evidence of leadership in research, instruction, and service; a record of external funding is a plus.

OVERVIEW OF THE SCHOOL

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, is a leading national research university and the oldest, largest, and top-ranked public university in the New York/New Jersey metropolitan area. Established in 1766, more than 69,000 and 27,300 full- and part-time faculty and staff learn, work, and serve the public at three main Rutgers locations across New Jersey and around the region. With 29 schools and colleges, over 550 degree programs, over 600,000 alumni, and thousands of professional and personal enrichment continuing education programs, Rutgers' impact is felt around the world. For more information see http://www.rutgers.edu.

The School of Communication and Information (SC&I) on the Rutgers-New Brunswick campus houses a dynamic community of scholars who conduct research and teach in the areas of communication, information science, media studies, information technology, journalism, librarianship, organizational and health communication, public relations, and other professional practice areas. SC&I has about 2,500 enrolled students and teaches thousands of other Rutgers students in our five undergraduate programs, two masters degrees, interdisciplinary doctoral program, and non-degree continuing education programs. We value our culture of collegiality and work hard to support the success of our full- and part-time faculty, staff, and students. For more about the school and its activities, see: http://comminfo.rutgers.edu.

TO APPLY

Review of applications will begin on September 25, 2025, and continue until the position is filled. Candidates are required to submit a letter of application, CV, two sample publications and the names of three references.

Inquiries can be made to the search committee chair, Professor Galina Bolden (gbolden@rutgers.edu), Department of Communication, Rutgers University, 4 Huntington St., New Brunswick, NJ 08901.

Rutgers University is an AA/EEO employer - M/F/Veteran/Disability. For additional information please see our Non-Discrimination Statement.