service, and public engagement missions.
This search is part of a cluster hiring initiative in the College of Media, with each of its academic departments—Advertising, Journalism, and Media & Cinema Studies—conducting an independent search for an assistant professor whose scholarship and teaching align with the priorities of their respective departments. Together, these hires will build on our strengths and expand our expertise in media and society. Ideal candidates for the Advertising position will have research and teaching interests in areas such as:
- Advertising and Societal Issues
- Political Economy of Platforms and Attention Markets
- Institutional Views of Advertising/Media Industries
- Public Relations and Civil Discourse
- Socio-Political Impacts of Media, Advertising, and Technology
- Consumer Culture and Behavior
- Policy Frameworks, Ethics, and Regulations of Media /Advertising
- Societal and Environmental Impacts of Digital Media
- Design Frameworks, Technological and Business Models
Applicants should have a Ph.D. in hand by August 16, 2027, in a relevant field, including but not limited to advertising, public relations, communication, marketing, psychology, information sciences.
Teaching responsibilities will include courses in the department’s existing undergraduate and graduate curricula, including courses related to advertising and society with the potential to develop new electives. Advertising faculty are also expected to actively contribute to the College of Media’s interdisciplinary doctoral program and research community in the Institute of Communications Research (ICR).
The Charles H. Sandage Department of Advertising is a global leader in advertising research and the first academic department in the country to focus on advertising education. Consistent with Sandage’s vision of advertising, the Department strives to shape the future of advertising by placing more emphasis on the “why” than on the “how” of advertising activities in broader social contexts. The Charles H. Sandage Department of Advertising is highly interdisciplinary. We honor a variety of disciplinary publishing traditions ranging from scholarly books to articles in flagship journals in advertising, communication, media, marketing, and public relations, as well as in adjacent fields such as history, information and computer sciences and psychology. We are committed to strengthening, embracing, and celebrating the rich tapestry of diversity and inclusiveness at Illinois.
Appointment Information
This is a 100% full-time Academic position, appointed on a 9/12-month basis. The expected start date is August 16, 2027. The salary for this position is $80,000-$90,000. Salary will be competitive and commensurate with the candidate’s qualifications, rank, and experience while considering internal equity. This position is eligible for sponsorship for work authorization, except for sponsorship of a new H1B petition that would incur the $100,000 fee.
Application Procedures & Deadline Information
Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (Central Time) on September 15, 2026. Apply for this position at https://jobs.illinois.edu, and upload a cover letter, CV, writing sample of no more than 50 pages (dissertation chapter, conference paper, book chapter, article) that best illustrates research agenda and contributions, and the name and contact information for three academic references who will provide letters of recommendation. Applications not submitted through https://jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered. Full consideration will be given to applications received by September 15, 2026. Applicants may be interviewed before the closing date; however, no hiring decision will be made until after that date. The review will continue until the position has been filled. For further information about this specific position, please contact Michelle Nelson at nelsonmr@illinois.edu.
For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.
