Assistant Professor of Public Relations, Department of Communication and Media TT

Assistant Professor of Public Relations Department of Communication and Media (9-month appointment, Tenure Track)

September 2, 2026

Samford University's Howard College of Arts and Sciences invites individuals interested in serving in a Christian University environment to apply for an Assistant Professor of Public Relations position in the Department of Communication and Media. This full-time tenure track position is a 9-month appointment and carries a twenty-four (24) credit-hour teaching load. The position will begin in August 2027.

Qualified candidates will hold a Ph.D. or be ABD, near completion, in mass communication, communication, or a closely related field from an institutionally accredited college or university (or equivalent). Candidates with relevant professional experience and ability to teach a variety of public relations courses including principles of public relations, public relations writing, and public relations campaigns are preferred. Additional expertise in brand and content strategy, and/or strategic communication, advertising and content creation a plus.

Successful candidates will have demonstrated a record of peer-reviewed scholarship and excellence in teaching. ABD candidates will be considered at the rank of Instructor, with commensurate salary, until Ph.D. is completed.

The Department of Communication and Media is home to Samford's award-winning student media and hosts an annual speaker forum (Robinson Forum - a lecture series in cooperation with The Washington Post). Our Public Relations program is CEPR certified.

Located in the Homewood suburb of Birmingham, Alabama, Samford (samford.edu) is a leading Christian university offering undergraduate programs grounded in the liberal arts with an array of nationally recognized graduate and professional schools. Founded in 1841, Samford enrolls 6,324 students from 44 states, Puerto Rico and 16 countries in its 10 academic schools with 450 full-time faculty. Samford is ranked #3 in the nation for career preparation and #8 in the nation for student learning opportunities as listed in The Wall Street Journal (2026).

The University is dedicated to the promotion of rigorous academic inquiry in a Christian setting. The University seeks and prefers employee applicants of the Christian faith and offers competitive salaries with a generous benefits package.

Review of applications will begin October 9, 2026, and applications will continue to be accepted until October 23, 2026.

Salary is dependent upon qualifications and experience.

Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States, as Samford will not sponsor any employment visas for this position. The successful candidate must pass a background check.

In accordance with applicable federal and state laws, such as Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act and ADA Amendments, the University does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of sex, gender, race, color, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, religion, or any other protected status under federal, state or local law applicable to the University, in its education policies, programs, and activities, in its admissions policies, in employment policies and practices, and all other areas of the University.