Assistant Professor - Strategic Political Communication 603621

Special Information

The School of Communication at the Northern Arizona University invites applications for a tenure-track appointment at the rank of Assistant Professor in strategic political communication to begin August 2018.

The ideal candidate will have demonstrated research and teaching expertise centering on media (social/print/digital) and political communication. The position requires a Ph.D. (or ABD considered) in Communication or related discipline with a robust research agenda, and a potential for successful scholarly grant initiation, development and submission.

Job Description

The ideal candidate will explore the influence of communication processes, mediated messages, or emerging communication technologies on individual or collective political attitudes and behaviors. Possible areas for research, grant activity, and teaching include the influence and effects of traditional and digital communication technologies, public discourse from government leaders, news media and audience engagement, or media and public opinion.

We seek a dynamic colleague to strengthen the digital focus in the School of Communication and the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences as a whole. More directly, this position will pursue collaborative opportunities with faculty and students, and complement active scholarship in digital media currently being conducted in Strategic Communication.

This position will support multiple degree programs in the School (Communication Studies, Journalism, and Strategic Communication) as well as teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in cross disciplinary curriculums. All three of these degree programs have experienced enrollment growth in recent years. This position will provide support for the MA in Communication and provide leadership in the Journalism and Political Science BS degree program.

Minimum Qualifications

• PhD in Communication or related discipline. An ABD will be considered if there is evidence of the degree to be conferred by August 2018.
• Instructional experience (including teaching, course design, training, and/or instructional support).


Preferred Qualifications


• Record of scholarly publications and/or presentations in competitive, peer-reviewed conferences.
• Demonstrated potential for collaborative research.
• Record or potential for success in securing external research funding.
• Demonstrated effectiveness in teaching and student-related responsibilities or evidence of potential teaching effectiveness, which could be indicated by sample syllabi, teaching demonstrations, and/or public talks.
• Professional experience in one of following fields: journalism, public relations, advertising, or digital media.
• Expertise in the study and/or practice of political communication and digital media.
• Evidence of effectiveness working with people from a variety of culturally diverse backgrounds.


General Information

Northern Arizona University has a student population of 30,368, including approximately 22,000 on its main campus in Flagstaff and the remainder at more than 20 locations statewide and online.

Committed to a diverse and civil working and learning environment, NAU has earned a solid reputation as a university with all the features of a large institution but with a personal touch. NAU carefully balances teaching, scholarship and service with a faculty and staff dedicated to each student's success. All faculty members are expected to promote student learning and help students achieve academic outcomes.

While our emphasis is undergraduate education, we offer a wide range of graduate programs and research that extend to such national concerns as forest health and bioterrorism. Our institution has carefully integrated on-campus education with distance learning, forming seamless avenues for students to earn degrees.

Flagstaff has a population of about 70,000, rich in cultural diversity. Located at the base of the majestic San Francisco Peaks, Flagstaff is 140 miles north of Phoenix at the intersection of Interstate 17 and Interstate 40.

With its elevation of 7,000 feet and four-season climate, Flagstaff is ideal for year-round outdoor activities. Nearby attractions include the Grand Canyon, Lowell Observatory, Oak Creek Canyon, Sedona, Monument Valley, Sunset Crater, Meteor Crater, and Arizona Snowbowl.

The university is committed to a diverse and civil working and learning environment.

For information about diversity, access and equity at NAU, see nau.edu/Center-for-University-Access-and-Inclusion/ .

Background Information

Northern Arizona University requires satisfactory results for the following: a criminal background investigation, an employment history verification and a degree verification (in some cases) prior to employment. You may also be required to complete a fingerprint background check.

Additionally, as an employer in the state of Arizona, NAU is required to participate in the federal E-Verify program that assists employers with verifying new employees' right to work in the United States.

Finally, each year the Northern Arizona University Police Department releases an annual security report. The report is a result of the federal law known as the Clery Act and contains policy statements that address the school's policies, procedures and programs concerning safety and security including policies for responding to emergency situations and sexual offenses. The report contains three years of data for Clery reportable crime statistics for the campus along with the most current year's Fire Safety Report, which includes policy statements and fire statistics for Flagstaff on-campus student housing.

The report may be viewed at nau.edu/clery or by visiting the NAUPD website at: http://www.nau.edu/police. A printed copy of the report is available upon request by contacting the NAU Police Department, Records Department at (928)523-8884 or by visiting the department at Building 98A on the NAU Mountain Campus.

Salary

Commensurate with academic qualifications and experience.

Benefits

This is a Faculty (FAC) position. NAU offers an excellent benefit package including generous health, dental and vision insurance; participation in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) or the Optional Retirement Program (ORP); sick leave accruals and 10 holidays per year; and tuition reduction for employees and qualified family members. More information on benefits at NAU is available at https://nau.edu/Human-Resources/Benefits/

Faculty are hired on a contract basis, renewable according to terms of the Conditions of Faculty Service http://nau.edu/Provost/Resources-Policies/
Employees offered a position will be eligible for state health plans (including NAU's BCBS Plan). Employees will have 31 days from date of hire to enroll in benefits, and their benefits will then be effective the first day of the pay period following their completed enrollment.

If a new employee chooses the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) retirement option, participation in the ASRS Plan (and the long-term disability coverage that accompanies it) will begin on the first of the pay period following 183 days of employment. New employees who choose to participate in the Optional Retirement Plan (ORP; an alternative to the ASRS plan) will begin to participate on the first day of employment. The long-term disability plan that accompanies the ORP will begin on the first day of the pay period following 90 days of employment. More information about NAU benefits is available at https://nau.edu/Human-Resources/Benefits/

Submission Deadline

This vacancy will be open until filled or closed. First review of applications will begin on March 5, 2018, with weekly reviews thereafter.

How to Apply

To apply for this position, please click on the "Apply" button at the end of the Job Description, if viewing this position through the NAU HR website. Otherwise, to view the original post and to apply, proceed to nau.jobs, follow the 'Faculty and Administrator Openings' links, locate vacancy 603621, then "Apply" at the bottom of the new page.

Application must include an attachment that contains: (1) a letter of interest that includes a description of research agenda, teaching experience and any other relevant experience; (2) a curriculum vitae; (3) an example of relevant scholarly work; (4) names and contact information for four professional references (email addresses and phone numbers). Save all items, in the order stated, as a single PDF or Word document.

If you have problems submitting application attachments in the form of a Word or PDF document please contact the department for assistance.

If you need assistance completing your application there are instructions available on line at http://hr.nau.edu or in person in the Human Resources Department located in Building 91 on the NAU Campus - on the corner of Beaver and DuPont Streets.

If you are an individual with a disability and need reasonable accommodation to participate in the hiring process please contact the Office of Equity and Access at: 928-523-3312/TDD - 928-523-1006 or PO Box 4083, Flagstaff AZ 86011.

FLSA Status

This position is exempt from the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and therefore will not earn overtime or compensatory time for additional time worked.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Northern Arizona University is a committed Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Institution. Women, minorities, veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. NAU is responsive to the needs of dual career couples.

EEO is the Law Poster and Supplements

NAU is an Employer of National Service. AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other National Service alumni are encouraged to apply.