Temporary Assistant Professor - Department of Communication Studies

University of Alabama at Birmingham; Birmingham (AL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Job summary

University of Alabama at Birmingham seeks a full-time, temporary instructor in the Department of Communication Studies. The position is for one year with health benefits and a teaching load of eight courses per year across two semesters (4/4).

Courses cover Organizational, Professional, Political Communication, and Rhetorical Studies, with opportunities to offer a special topics course. Applicants must have a terminal degree by August 15, 2027.

Qualifications

• Requires terminal degree by Aug 15, 2027.
• Commitment to teaching excellence across a range of courses.
• Ability to teach Organizational Communication, Professional Communication, Political Communication and Rhetorical Studies.

Responsibilities

• Teach Organizational Communication, Professional Communication, Communication and Teamwork, Political Communication, Argumentation, Propaganda and Public Persuasion, and Communication Theory.
• Offer a special topics course in candidate's specialty area.
• Deliver courses in-person and online across two semesters (4/4).

Education

Terminal degree in Communication Studies or closely related discipline

Job description

The Department of Communication Studies in the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) is searching for a full-time, temporary, non-tenure track instructor, beginning August 2027. This is a one-year temporary position with health benefits. The teaching load is eight courses per year over two semesters (4/4). We seek applicants who demonstrate a commitment to teaching excellence in a range of courses. Areas of teaching include Organizational Communication, Professional Communication, Political Communication, and Rhetorical Studies.

Primary teaching responsibilities include Organizational Communication, Professional Communication, Communication and Teamwork, Political Communication, Argumentation, Propaganda and Public Persuasion, and Communication Theory, depending on the successful candidate's expertise and experience. The candidate will have an opportunity to offer a special topic course in their specialty area. Courses are offered in both in-person and online formats.

The successful applicant must have a terminal degree in Communication Studies or a closely related discipline by August 15, 2027.

Qualified applicants should upload the following application materials:

1. a cover letter indicating how the candidate’s qualifications and experience prepare them for this position.
2. a curriculum vitae.
3. a teaching portfolio, including teaching statements, sample syllabi, summaries of course evaluations, documentation of teaching awards or recognitions, and other materials that demonstrate teaching effectiveness.
4. names and contact information for three professional references.

Review of applications will begin immediately, and all applications submitted by December 1, 2026, will receive full consideration.

For more information, please contact the search committee chair, Steve McCornack at [e-mail].

The Department of Communication Studies at UAB offers B.A. and M.A. degrees in Communication and serves the core curriculum. See the departmental website for more information. https://www.uab.edu/cas/communication/.

The College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) is home to 19 academic departments and six Centers and Institutes. Our 19 departments — home to over 300 full-time faculty and more than 58 baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral degrees — make us the largest academic entity in the UAB academic enterprise. We are home to research centers, community outreach programs, and interdisciplinary cooperation.

The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) is a research university and academic health center that discovers, teaches, and applies knowledge for the intellectual, cultural, social, and economic benefit of Birmingham, the state, and beyond. UAB is internationally renowned for its intensely collaborative culture that has — for more than five decades — produced breakthroughs in education, health care, research, and service. UAB was ranked #1 in the United States for 2018 and 2019 in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings, Young University Rankings. In 2021, Forbes named UAB as America’s No. 1 Best Large Employer, topping a list of more than 500 public and private corporations, hospitals, universities, Fortune 500 companies and more, across dozens of industries. Most recently, UAB earned the distinction of being named to the 2025 Great Colleges to Work For Honor Roll.

UAB is an Equal Employment/Equal Educational Opportunity Institution dedicated to providing equal opportunities and equal access to all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, sex (including pregnancy), genetic information, age, disability, religion, and veteran’s status. As required by Title IX, UAB prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or activity that it operates. Individuals may report concerns or questions to UAB’s Assistant Vice President and Senior Title IX Coordinator. The Title IX notice of nondiscrimination is located at uab.edu/titleix (https://www.uab.edu/titleix/).

A pre-employment background check investigation is performed on candidates selected for employment.