"Tenure-Track Assistant Professor of Communications & Journalism / UMKC School of Humanities & Social Sciences"

Hiring Department

UNIVERSITY of MISSOURI-KANSAS CITY

SCHOOL of HUMANITIES and SOCIAL SCIENCES

Department of Communication and Journalism

The School of Humanities and Social Sciences offers a broad and diverse educational experience for students interested in the arts, humanities, and social sciences. Analyzing ideas and human experiences from a wide variety of perspectives prepares students for careers in government, law, education, communication, digital media, political organizations and more. The school offers a wide range of coursework that suits the specific needs of students seeking professional careers or those wanting to further their academic studies.

Our Communication and Journalism faculty-award-winning scholars, educators, and journalists-inspire our students to examine both the practical and theoretical aspects of human communication through classroom instruction and digital media lab activities, collaborative research and projects, internships, and professional development. Additional information can be found on our website: https://shss.umkc.edu/areas-of-study/communication-and-journalism/index.html

Job Description

The Department of Communication and Journalism in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences at the University of Missouri-Kansas City seeks applications for a 9-month, benefit-eligible, tenure-track, full-time faculty position at the rank of Assistant Professor beginning Fall 2026. While a specialization in health communication is preferred, we welcome applications from candidates with a variety of interests. This position will support our department's Strategic Communication and Professional Communication emphases.

Successful candidates will use a social science or humanities approach. Quantitative, qualitative, rhetorical, critical/cultural, and other methodological approaches are welcome. Potential areas of specialization include public health campaigns, health mis/disinformation, rural health, community health partnerships, media depictions of health, health activism, patient-provider interaction, medical humanities, and other topics related to the candidate's interest. The preferred candidate will teach existing professional and strategic communication courses at the undergraduate level and create new courses in their area of specialization. Additionally, the preferred candidate will demonstrate an ability to forge working relationships with other departments and schools at UMKC.

The successful candidate will have an active and promising research agenda (for example, publications, conference papers, conference presentations, or other evidence of research), and a desire to conduct interdisciplinary research and secure grant funding. The successful candidate also will be committed to helping create a nurturing departmental environment through research, teaching, and service that will attract and sustain a diverse student body, serve a variety of student populations, and contribute to Kansas City's many communities.

This position has been created to further the department's mission of facilitating high-impact research activities that can broaden interdisciplinary research and collaboration. The Department of Communication and Journalism is committed to excellence in teaching, and it values professional experience, research, and community service that benefit our regional communities and populations.

Qualifications

A Ph.D. in communication or a related field by August 1, 2026, is required. ABD candidates will be considered.

Anticipated Hiring Range

Salary is commensurate with experience, qualifications, evidence of externally funded research, and internal equity.

Application Materials

For consideration, you must apply online at https://www.umkc.edu/hr/careers/ click on Academic Positions, Job Opening ID (57907)

Please combine all application materials references into one PDF or Microsoft Word document and upload as your resume attachment. Limit document name to 50 characters and do not include any special characters (e.g., /,&,%, etc.). Files should not exceed 11MB.

• Cover letter highlighting qualifications for a tenure-track position
• A current curriculum vitae
• A research statement, including any funded projects
• A teaching statement (reflecting teaching experience)
• Current contact information for three professional references

We will contact references and request educational transcripts for candidates who progress to the finalist stage. A successful criminal background check is required for hire.

• If you are experiencing technical problems during application, please email umpshrsupport@umsystem.edu.
• For questions about the position, please contact the search chair, Dr. Jess Gantt-Shafer, at jgantt-shafer@umkc.edu.
• Reasonable accommodations may be requested during the application and recruitment process. If you need an accommodation, please contact the Office of Equity & Title IX at (816) 235-1323.

Application Deadline

Priority consideration will be given to applications received by January 12, 2026. The position will remain open until a qualified candidate is hired.