Career Center

Working/Functional Title

Assistant/Associate/Full Professor Tenure System

Position Summary

The Department of Advertising + Public Relations in the College of Communication Arts and Sciences at Michigan State University invites applications for an open-rank tenure-system position. We are seeking a mixed-methods social scientist whose work complements and extends that of the current faculty in the department. 

Qualified applicants should have a Ph.D. in Public Relations, Advertising, or related field. In addition, applicants should have solid expertise and an active research program demonstrating a well-defined empirical approach to studying communication in areas relevant to public relations. Applicants should also display evidence of, or potential for, external funding, as well as the ability to teach core and elective courses in public relations and/or advertising, and a commitment to mentoring undergraduate and graduate students.

Ideally, candidates will also have a focus on research that strengthens existing departmental expertise in psychological, social, and/or cultural approaches to studying issues of relevance to public relations. Example areas of existing expertise include (in alphabetical order): Corporate Social Responsibility/Environmental Social and Corporate Governance; Environmental Communication; Health Communication; Issue Advocacy; International/Multicultural Communication; Message Processes and Effects; Political Communication; Public Relations; or Science Communication.

Additionally, ideal candidates would actively consider and address DEI issues in their teaching and research, with an ability to bring diversity of thought, perspectives, and approaches to the role; have evidence of, or potential for, a national/international reputation; and industry experience.

Candidates will be evaluated based on both the minimum requirements and desired qualifications and based on a holistic review approach across different stages of the candidate review process.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Degree

Doctorate -Public Relations, Advertising, or related

Minimum Requirements

• Ph.D. in Public Relations, Advertising, or related field.
• Solid expertise and active research program with a well-defined empirical approach to studying communication in areas relevant to public relations.
• Evidence of, or potential for, external funding.
• Ability to teach core and elective courses in public relations.
• Commitment to mentoring undergraduate and graduate students.

Desired Qualifications

• Research that strengthens existing departmental expertise in psychological, social, and/or cultural approaches to studying issues of relevance to public relations. Example areas of existing expertise include (in alphabetical order): Corporate Social Responsibility/Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance; Environmental Communication; Health Communication; Issue Advocacy; International/Multicultural Communication; Message Processes and Effects, Political Communication; Public Relations; or Science Communication.
• Actively considers and addresses DEI issues in their teaching and research, with an ability to bring diversity of thought, perspectives, and approaches to the role.
• Evidence of, or potential for, a national/international reputation
• Industry experience

Required Application Materials

Applicants should submit electronically:

• a cover letter of no more than five pages summarizing qualifications for the position, including a description of research agenda and teaching philosophy, as well as a description of the candidate’s philosophy and/or commitment to DEI.
• a curriculum vitae, and
• the names and contact information of three references.

Special Instructions

To apply, please refer to posting #885349 and complete an electronic submission at the Michigan State University Employment Opportunities website https://careers.msu.edu/. Please direct inquiries to the chair of the search committee, Bree Holtz (bholtz@msu.edu). The search committee will begin its evaluation of applicants Oct. 16, 2023 

Review of Applications Begins On

10/16/2023

Website

https://comartsci.msu.edu/departments/advertising-public-relations

Department Statement

The Michigan State University Department of Advertising and Public Relations is a leader in education, research, and outreach. For more than 60 years, the department has set the global pace in research excellence and achievement while also maintaining an award-winning undergraduate program. These remain the departments core values. The Department is comprised of tenure-stream and fixed-term (professors of practice) faculty who continue to re-envision the worlds of advertising research, education, and practice. Our faculty have a diverse set of research and teaching interests, including digital strategy; health, science, and the environment; social impact; political communication; advertising and media psychology; and analytics, among others. The Department is home to over 1,300 undergraduate students in three majors (B.S. in Advertising Management, B.A. in Advertising Creative, and B.A. in Public Relations), 20 MA in Advertising and Public Relations students, and 20 doctoral students, part of the joint Ph.D. program in Information and Media. The Department has recently launched a student-led and run advertising agency, 42pointSeven. Additionally, the Department has been putting its core value and commitment to DEI through the creation of specialized courses on DEI and launching a dedicated pipeline program for students interested in advertising and public relations from historically minoritized and marginalized groups.

Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are integral to our practice as communicators, storytellers, and innovators. We believe it is our responsibility to foster an open and welcoming environment that aspires to attract, recruit, and sustain diverse students, faculty, and staff. Diversity is among the main drivers of institutional excellence, and we are proud to embrace and promote broad communities of knowledge, backgrounds, and experiences. Our efforts to advance DEI are guided by a shared vision grounded in a culture of caring, belonging, transparency, and accountability. In alignment with the University’s DEI plan, we commit to actively challenge, disrupt, and dismantle systems that reinforce and/or maintain historical and contemporary social inequalities and inequities. We are dedicated to ongoing dialogue to strengthen our commitment to social justice, advocacy, and activism. We strive to be DEI thought leaders who inspire, influence, and cultivate progress in our College and throughout the MSU community.

MSU Statement

Michigan State University has been advancing the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years. One of the top research universities in the world, MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges.

About Michigan State University

Spartans work every day to advance the common good in uncommon ways.Together, we tackle some of the world?s toughest problems to find solutions that make life better?from alternative energy to better food safety to breakthrough medical and environmental applications achieved through rare isotope research.We teach. We explore and we discover. We collaborate and lead. We innovate, inspire, and empower. We achieve our potential and create circumstances that help our students and others achieve theirs.We're good at it, and we've been at it for more than 150 years.The nation?s pioneer land-grant university, MSU began as a bold experiment that democratized higher education and helped bring science and innovation into everyday life. The revolutionary concept became a model for the nation.Today, MSU is one of the top research universities in the world?on one of the biggest, greenest campuses in the nation. Home to nationally ranked and recognized academic, residential college, and service-learning programs, we?re a diverse community of dedicated students and scholars, athletes and artists, scientists and leaders.In ways both practical and profound, we work to create a stronger, more sustainable, and more hopeful future for all.

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