Tenure-Track Assistant Professor of Public Relations & Strategic Communication Req BR

The Department of Public Relations & Strategic Communication Management in the College of Media & Communication at Texas Tech University invites applications for a full-time, 9-month, Tenure-Track Assistant Professor to begin September 1, 2027 (official faculty on-duty date is mid-August 2027).

• A Ph.D. in public relations or a closely related communication field. Applicants who are ABD must complete their degree before the official start date.
• Professional experience in public relations or a closely related strategic communication field.
• Evidence of acceptance of conference papers or peer-reviewed publications in public relations journals or journals in a closely related discipline.
• A record of successful teaching as the instructor of record for university-level courses in public relations or courses in a closely related field in strategic communication.

In addition to the required qualifications, individuals with the following preferred qualifications are strongly encouraged to apply:

• At least three years of professional experience in public relations or a closely related strategic communication field.
• Experience teaching across a variety of modalities (face-to-face, online, hybrid).
• A record of high-quality, peer-reviewed research in public relations or a closely related field. We are particularly interested in applicants who focus on science or health communication within the public relations discipline.
• A record of seeking and securing external research funding.
• Experience mentoring graduate students.
• A record of community-engaged scholarship and outreach.

The Department of Public Relations & Strategic Communication Management (PRSC; https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below).) is home to more than 440 undergraduate students, including both face-to-face and distance students, and 15 full-time faculty members. The department trains students to manage integrated communication programs, campaigns, and resources, enabling them to effectively and ethically advocate for the organizations and causes they are passionate about. It combines the expertise of both professional and research faculty members to create a rigorous curriculum that develops students’ proficiency in strategic communication, leadership,media relations, global communication, culturally proficient communication, ethics, data analysis, new technology, critical thinking, and strategic planning.

The College of Media & Communication (CoMC) (http://) at Texas Tech University serves approximately 2,400 students across its six undergraduate- and five graduate-degree programs. CoMC offers a student-centered learning environment with high standards for teaching and engaged learning, while benefiting from the resources of an R1 research university. College metrics for undergraduate student retention and graduation rates are near the top at Texas Tech across many categories, and CoMC graduate-student enrollment is at record-high levels.

In addition to traditional spaces for offices, classrooms, and computer labs, the College’s 192,000-sf building includes an esports lab, student-run PR agency suite, a commercial-range FM radio station, 12,700 square feet for student organizations and graduate-student offices, and several multimedia production spaces equipped with industry-grade equipment and software. At 13,000 square feet within the building, the CoMC Center for Communication Research (CCR) is the country's premier academic research facility for the study of communication, cognitive and affective processing of information, and media effects.

The CCR’s labs and equipment can be used for audience testing, content analysis, experimental surveys, eye-tracking, focus groups, psycho-physiological measurements, and robotics/AI integration.
The College has rebuilt its research infrastructure and made strategic hires resulting in all-time highs in external funding applications and grant awards. Further strengthening the University’s stable budget environment, state taxpayers…