Assistant Professor of Communication Science

Requisition Number: 67360
Location: Boulder, Colorado
Employment Type: Faculty (Full-Time)
Date Posted: September 18, 2025

Job Summary

The Department of Communication in the College of Communication, Media, Design and Information at the University of Colorado Boulder (CU Boulder) invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position in Rhetoric and Culture of Radical Global Imaginaries.

A PhD in Communication with a specialization in rhetoric and culture is required at the time of appointment, along with an emerging record of excellence in research related to one or more of the following areas:

• Native and Indigenous sovereignty and knowledges

• Decoloniality and anti-colonialism

• Rhetoric and law (e.g., race and intellectual property, post-apartheid reparations, migrant, immigrant, and refugee rights, critical AI policy)

• Planetary imaginaries and climate justice

• Deterritorialization and abolitionist radical imaginaries

• International law and policy

Eligible candidates should be willing and able to teach courses in rhetoric and culture and publish in their areas of expertise. They will be expected to teach undergraduate and graduate courses, mentor students, and teach foundational rhetoric courses such as rhetorical methods, rhetorical criticism, and argumentation and advocacy, as well as courses aligned with their areas of specialization.

The department seeks a candidate who will contribute to and complement existing research strengths, and foster connections across Rhetoric and Culture, Community & Social Interaction, and Organizational Communication. The successful candidate will also be encouraged to collaborate with interdisciplinary centers such as:

• The Center for Native American and Indigenous Studies

• The Center for African and African American Studies

• The Latin American and Latinx Studies Center

• The Center for Asian Studies

CU Boulder values diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive environment. We encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Who We Are

The Department of Communication is a vibrant intellectual community offering BA, MA, and PhD degrees. Faculty are nationally and internationally recognized leaders in their fields, representing the areas of Rhetoric & Culture, Community & Social Interaction, and Organizational Communication.

The College of Communication, Media, Design and Information (CMDI) leads innovation at the intersection of communication, digital technology, and design. The college emphasizes interdisciplinary education, creativity, and innovation, preparing students to think across boundaries and tackle emerging global challenges.

Key Responsibilities

• Teach four courses per academic year (two per semester), including undergraduate and graduate courses.

• Mentor students in their areas of specialty.

• Maintain an active and productive research agenda consistent with expectations at a public R1 university.

• Contribute service and leadership to the department, college, university, and profession.

What We Can Offer

• Annual Salary Range: $82,000 – $91,000

• Benefits: CU Boulder offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefit, and ECO Pass.

Required Qualifications

• PhD in Communication with a specialization in rhetoric and culture (degree must be completed by the time of appointment).

Required Competencies

• Research agenda contributing to knowledge in one or more of the identified areas of expertise.

• Demonstrated ability to teach foundational rhetoric and culture courses.

• Expertise in at least one of the following: Native and Indigenous sovereignty and knowledges, decoloniality and anti-colonialism, rhetoric and law, planetary imaginaries, climate justice, deterritorialization, abolitionist radical imaginaries, or international law and policy.

Application Instructions

To apply, please submit the following materials (in PDF format):

1. Current Curriculum Vitae (CV)

2. Letter of Application describing qualifications and professional goals

3. Writing Sample (published article, chapter, etc.)

4. Evidence of Teaching Excellence (e.g., syllabi, peer reviews, student evaluations)

5. Syllabus/Syllabi

During the application process, please provide contact information for three references. Confidential letters of recommendation may be requested later.

Application Deadline: For full consideration, apply by October 16, 2025. Applications will be reviewed until the position is filled.

Contact for Questions:
Professor and Search Chair: Phaedra Pezzullo
Email: phaedra.pezzullo@colorado.edu

Application materials must be submitted through CU Boulder Jobs; materials sent via email will not be accepted.

Additional Information

In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, applicants may redact or remove age-identifying information (e.g., age, date of birth, school attendance or graduation dates) from submitted materials without penalty.

Equal Opportunity Statement

The University of Colorado Boulder is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to fostering a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity.

In your application, please refer to Professorpositions.com