Assistant Professor
 Texas Tech University | |
 United States, Texas, Lubbock | |
| 2500 Broadway Street (Show on map) | |
 Sep 17, 2025 | |
|
Assistant Professor 42303BR CoMC Dept of PRSC Position Description The Department of Public Relations & Strategic Communication Management in the College of Media & Communication at Texas Tech University invites applications for a full-time, 9-month, tenure-track Assistant Professor to begin September 1, 2026 (official on duty date is mid-August, 2026). About the University Established in 1923, Texas Tech University is a Carnegie R1 (very high research activity) Doctoral/Research-Extensive, Hispanic Serving, and state-assisted institution. Located on a beautiful 1,850-acre campus in Lubbock, a city in West Texas with a growing metropolitan-area population of over 300,000, the university enrolls over 40,000 students with 33,000 undergraduate and 7,000 graduate students. As the primary research institution in the western two-thirds of the state, Texas Tech University is home to 10 colleges, the Schools of Law and Veterinary Medicine, and the Graduate School. The flagship of the Texas Tech University System, Texas Tech is dedicated to student success by preparing learners to be ethical leaders for a diverse and globally competitive workforce. It is committed to enhancing the cultural and economic development of the state, nation, and world. About the College College of Media and Communication The College of Media & Communication (CoMC) (http://www.depts.ttu.edu/comc/) at Texas Tech University serves approximately 2,400 students across its six undergraduate- and five graduate-degree programs. CoMC offers a student-centered learning environment with high standards for teaching and engaged learning, while benefiting from the resources of an R1 research university. College metrics for undergraduate student retention and graduation rates are near the top at Texas Tech across many categories, and CoMC graduate-student enrollment is at record-high levels. In addition to traditional spaces for offices, classrooms, and computer labs, the College's 120,000-sf building includes an esports lab, student-run agency suite, a commercial-range FM radio station, 2,000 square feet for student organizations and graduate-student offices, and several multimedia production spaces equipped with industry-grade equipment and software. At 13,000 square feet within the building, the CoMC Center for Communication Research (CCR) is the country's premier academic research facility for the study of communication, cognitive and affective processing of information, and media effects. The CCR's labs and equipment can be used for audience testing, content analysis, experimental surveys, eye-tracking, focus groups, psychophysiological measurements, and robotics/AI integration. The College has rebuilt its research infrastructure and made strategic hires resulting in all-time highs in external funding applications and grant awards. Further strengthening the University's stable budget environment, state taxpayers in 2023 approved a $3.9 billion research endowment, the Texas University Fund (TUF), that brings $44 million annually to Texas Tech to support faculty research and scholarly/creative activities. Interdisciplinary research strengths across the College's departments include computational communication, sports communication/media, organizational/corporate communication, and crisis/risk/health communication. Faculty affiliates of the Thomas Jay Harris Institute for Hispanic & International Communication engage in teaching, research and community outreach related to Hispanic and international/intercultural communication (comc.ttu.edu/research/hihic). With strong campus-wide enrollment growth and experienced academic leadership, the College continues an upward trajectory in alignment with the University's 2025-2030 Strategic Plan, its $1.2 billion comprehensive campaign, and its charted path toward membership eligibility by 2035 in the Association of American Universities (AAU). About the Department/School/Area The Department of Public Relations & Strategic Communication Management (PRSC; https://www.depts.ttu.edu/comc/programs/publicrelations/) is home to more than 440 undergraduate face-to-face and distance students, with 16 full-time faculty members. The department trains students how to manage integrated communication programs, campaigns, and resources to effectively and ethically advocate for the organizations and causes that our students are passionate about. It combines the diverse expertise of both professional and research faculty members to create a rigorous curriculum that develops students' proficiency in communication, leadership, media relations, global communication, culturally proficient communication, ethics, data analysis, new technology, critical thinking, and strategic planning so that they are "client-ready." Major/Essential Functions In line with TTU's strategic priorities to engage and empower a diverse student body, enable innovative research and creative activities, and transform lives and communities through outreach and engaged scholarship, applicants should have experience working with diverse student populations at the undergraduate and/or graduate levels within individual or across the areas of teaching, research/creative activity, and service. Organization Texas Tech University Faculty Qualifications
Preferred Qualifications In addition to the required qualifications, individuals with the following preferred qualifications are strongly encouraged to apply:
Duty Point TTU Lubbock, main campus and affiliated facilities Safety Information Adherence to robust safety practices and compliance with all applicable health and safety regulations are responsibilities of all TTU employees. Does this position work in a research laboratory? No Special Instructions to Applicants Please include the following documents in your application: 1. Curriculum Vitae. 2. Cover Letter. 3. Teaching, Research, and Service Statements. 4. A sample peer-reviewed journal publication, book chapter, or conference paper. 5. Other documents directly related to the required qualifications. 6. Candidates who are invited for Zoom interviews will be asked for the names of three references. References will not be contacted without notifying the candidate. Questions about this position should be directed to Dr. Ioana Coman, Search Committee Chair at Ioana.Coman@ttu.edu. If you need assistance with the application process, contact Human Resources, Talent Acquisition at hrs.recruiting@ttu.edu or 806-742-3851. Job Type Full Time Pay Basis Monthly Pay Statement Compensation is commensurate upon the qualifications of the individual selected and budgetary guidelines of the hiring department, as well as the institutional pay plan. For additional information, please reference the institutional pay plan by visiting www.depts.ttu.edu/hr/payplan. Travel Required None Grant Funded? No Job Group Assistant Professor EEO Statement All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information or status as a protected veteran. Salary Grade 800 Applications must be received by 10/16/2025 | |