Assistant Professor – Environmental, Risk, or Science Communication Job at Unive

Assistant Professor – Environmental, Risk, or Science Communication

Posting Summary

Advertised Title: Assistant Professor – Environmental, Risk, or Science Communication

Campus: Columbia

College/Division: College of Information and Communications

Department: CIC School of Journalism and Mass Communications

Location of Vacancy: Richland

Hours per Week: 37.5

Basis: 9 months

Tenure Information: Tenure-Track/Tenured

Job Search Category: Faculty

Start Date: 08/16/2026

Open Date: 09/18/2025

Posting Number: FAC00189PO25

Advertised Salary Range: Commensurate with experience

Work County: Richland

Special Instructions to Applicant: Applications are due by October 27, 2025. The position will remain open until filled.

Responsibilities

• Conduct original research in environmental, risk, or science communication and contribute to theory and practice in the field.
• Teach undergraduate and graduate courses and mentor students.
• Pursue external funding and engage in scholarly service to the school, college, university, and profession.
• Participate in university-level and college-level initiatives, including the Presidential-level cluster hiring initiative focused on water quality, environmental health, and disaster preparedness.

Areas of Interest

We welcome a wide range of expertise in environmental, risk, or science communication. Areas may include:

• Media coverage and representation of science and environmental issues; communication in hazards, weather events, risks, and uncertainty.
• Science and environmental communication campaigns; information integrity and trust in public communication of science and environmental risk, including digital platforms and social media.
• Use of artificial intelligence, data analytics, forecasting, or visualization to advance public understanding of science.
• Strategic communication and public relations in science and environmental contexts; innovative approaches such as immersive media and visual storytelling for scientific uncertainty.
• Participatory models to support informed decision-making; potential connections to water resources, environmental change, weather-related hazards, or disaster preparedness.

Qualifications

Required Education and Experience

• Ph.D. in Environmental, Risk, or Science Communication, Mass Communication, Communication Studies, Communication, Journalism, or a related field by the start date of employment. ABDs will be considered, with Ph.D. required at the time of appointment.
• An emerging record of scholarly publications or creative activity in environmental, risk, or science communication.

Preferred Qualifications

• Evidence of, or strong potential for, excellence in teaching at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.
• Demonstrated potential for securing external research funding.

Application Materials

Candidates should be prepared to upload the following documents:

• Letter of application addressing interests and qualifications for the position
• Curriculum Vitae
• List of three references (including name, phone number, and email)
• Three letters of recommendation signed and on letterhead (only for candidates selected as finalists) should be sent to rachelrolli@sc.edu. While these letters are only required prior to interview, letters may be uploaded to USCJobs at the time of initial application.

Inquiries about this posting should be directed to Search Committee Chair Dr. Brett Robertson at br31@mailbox.sc.edu.

About USC

The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in educational or employment opportunities or decisions for qualified persons on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender, gender identity or expression, genetic information, HIV/AIDS status, military status, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable law.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*)

Required Documents

• Cover Letter
• Curriculum Vitae
• List of References and Contact Information