Assistant Professor

Be a Pirate!

East Carolina University ( ECU) is consistently ranked among the nation's top public universities for its commitment to research, innovation, social mobility, and public service. Classified as a R1 institution by the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education, ECU is among the top 5% of research universities in the United States, an elite designation reflecting the highest levels of research activity, funding, and doctoral output.

Founded in 1907, ECU is a public, four-year university located in Greenville, N.C., which is widely regarded as the cultural, educational, economic, and medical hub of eastern North Carolina. Through education, research, healthcare, community engagement, athletics, cultural enrichment, and service, ECU enhances the quality of life for its students, the state and communities around the world. It is a great place to work, teach, and learn.

ECU's commitment to impactful scholarship is further demonstrated through its repeated Carnegie Community Engagement Classification (2010, 2015, 2024), as well as its 2024 designation as a Carnegie Leadership for Public Purpose institution. These distinctions recognize the university's leadership in translating research into meaningful community partnerships and measurable societal benefits.

The university supports its workforce through a wide range of professional development opportunities designed to foster career growth and skill advancement. Eligible employees also benefit from a comprehensive benefits package that promotes a healthy work-life balance.

Academic Affairs, led by the Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, comprises the university's colleges, schools and libraries, along with other academic support and administrative units. Academic Affairs works collaboratively to strengthen ECU's culture of academic excellence in line with our mission to be a national model for student success, public service and regional transformation.

The College of Fine Arts and Communication serves as a cultural core for the university and eastern North Carolina. The college prepares artists, communicators, educators, performers, and designers through innovative teaching, creative scholarship, professional practice, and community engagement. Through experiential learning opportunities and collaborative partnerships, students develop the knowledge, skills, and experiences needed for success in their professions. The college also enriches the region through performances, exhibitions, media, festivals, and other public programs that promote artistic, cultural, and educational engagement.

The School of Communication prepares students for careers in communication, media, journalism, public relations, and related fields. Through academic study, research, experiential learning, and professional engagement, students develop the knowledge, skills, and critical thinking abilities needed for professional and academic success.

The School of Communication invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor to contribute to the areas of strategic communication, public relations (PR), and media. This is a nine-month, full-time faculty position with a start date of Fall 2027. This position will maintain a 3:3 teaching load.

Primary responsibilities include: (1) teaching existing graduate and undergraduate courses in strategic communication and PR with a focus in emerging media, social media and/or mass media; (2) contributing to the core curriculum for the unit; (3) collaborating with faculty on curriculum development for the graduate program and at the undergraduate level; (4) pursuing a program of research as a teacher-scholar, leading to publication; and (5) engaging in service at the university and to the profession and community.

This position is contingent upon available funding.

A Ph.D. in Communication or Mass Communication, conferred and received from an appropriately accredited institution. Candidates with Ph.D. conferred at the time of initial appointment will hold the probationary rank of Assistant Professor. ABD candidates will also be initially appointed with the probationary term rank of Assistant Professor and must have the terminal degree conferred prior to his/her first reappointment.

Candidates should be able to demonstrate success in research and teaching in strategic communication/PR. Candidates should also be willing and qualified to teach both online and face-to-face settings.

The School of Communication desires candidates with knowledge of trends in strategic communication, PR, and emerging media, as well as research and practical experience in message design, media literacy, media culture and trends, campaigns, and/or social/new media.

Also preferred is experience in teaching courses in strategic communication, PR, and emerging media, and in course and syllabus development.

To be considered for the position, candidates must submit an online profile to the University jobs site, and with it upload (1) a current CV, (2) cover letter, (3) list of references with contact information, and (4) statement of research agenda (1-2 pages) and (5) statement of teaching effectiveness (1-2 pages).

Proper documents of identity, employability, and official transcripts are required upon offer of employment. If selected as a candidate of choice, three letters of recommendation will be required. An automatic email will be sent to the individuals entered by the applicant in the references section of the PeopleAdmin applicant tracking system. Letters of Recommendation submitted via the applicant tracking system will be verified and considered toward meeting this requirement.

For any questions regarding the position, email the search chair, Charles Meadows.

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.

In order to be considered for this position, applicants must complete a candidate profile online via the PeopleAdmin system and submit any requested documents. Additionally, applicants that possess the preferred education and experience must also possess the minimum education/experience, if applicable.

Unless otherwise identified in the applicable job posting and consistent with University policy, the University will principally employ individuals who reside in the State of North Carolina to the greatest extent practicable. As such, most positions at East Carolina University require employees to live and work in North Carolina (or live within a reasonable daily commuting distance from their duty station) after hire. Candidates should be prepared to relocate within a reasonable, agreed-upon time after an offer of employment has been made and accepted to meet this requirement.

East Carolina University is committed to workforce success and cultivating a culture of care for our employees. ECU prohibits unlawful discrimination and harassment based on race/ethnicity, color, genetic information, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, political affiliation, and veteran status. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their protected veteran status or disability.

Individuals requesting accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act ( ADAAA) should contact the ADA Coordinator at (252) 737-1018 (Voice/ TTY) or ADA-Coordinator@ecu.edu.

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. ECU participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.

If you experience any problems accessing the system or have questions about the application process, please contact the Department for People Operations, Success, and Opportunity at (252) 328-9847 or toll free at 1-866-489-1740 or send an email to employment@ecu.edu. Our office is available to provide assistance Monday-Friday from 8:00-5:00 EST.