Assistant Professor – Health Communication Job at Inside Higher Ed in Columbia

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Position Details

Posting Number: FAC00188PO25
Title: Assistant Professor – Health Communication
Campus: Columbia
College/Division: College of Information and Communications
Department: CIC School of Journalism and Mass Communications
Salary: Commensurate with experience
Part/Full Time: Full Time
Hours Per Week: 37.5
Position Category: Full-time Equivalent (FTE)
Basis: 9 months
Work County: Richland
Tenure: Tenure-Track/Tenured
Job Search Category: Faculty

Job Summary

The School of Journalism and Mass Communications (SJMC) invites applications for a nine-month, tenure-track Assistant Professor in Health Communication with an expected start date of August 16, 2026. We seek a scholar‑teacher whose research advances theory and practice in health communication, complementing our school and college. The successful candidate will conduct original research, teach undergraduate and graduate courses, pursue external funding, mentor students, and engage in service to the school, college, university, and profession. Interest in information integrity and trust in health communication, including social media platforms, is preferred. Areas of interest include, but are not limited to, patient-provider communication, health communication campaign design, digital health technologies, AI and data analytics in health information, media coverage of health issues, strategic communication in healthcare, and innovative media approaches.

Responsibilities

• Conduct original research and publish in peer‑reviewed journals.
• Teach undergraduate and graduate courses in health communication.
• Pursue external research funding and manage granted projects.
• Mentor undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral students.
• Participate in departmental, college, and university service activities.

Required Education and Experience

• Ph.D. in Health Communication, Mass Communication, Communication Studies, Journalism, or a related field by the start date of the position (ABDs considered, Ph.D. required upon appointment).
• Emerging record of scholarly publications or creative activity in health communication.
• Evidence of, or strong potential for, excellence in teaching at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.
• Demonstrated potential for securing external research funding.

Preferred Qualifications

• Area of focus in information integrity and trust in health communication, including the role of social media platforms.

Application Information

Desired Start Date: 08/16/2026
Open Until Filled: Yes
Job Open Date: 09/18/2025
Application Deadline: October 27, 2025

Required Documents

• Letter of application addressing interests and qualifications for the position.
• Curriculum vitae.
• List of three references (name, phone number, email).
• Three letters of recommendation signed and on letterhead (required only for finalists; may be uploaded at initial application).

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

EEO Statement

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 (including transgender), gender identity or expression, genetic information, HIV/AIDs status, military status, national origin, pregnancy (false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, childbirth, recovery therefrom or related medical conditions, breastfeeding), race, religion (including religious dress and grooming practices), sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other bases under federal, state, local law, or regulations.