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Tenure-Track Assistant Professor, Sports Media- Department of Media and Cinema Studies
The Department of Media and Cinema Studies in the College of Media at the University of IllinoisUrbana-Champaign invites applicants for a full-time (100% FTE) tenure-trackassistant professor position. We seek a scholar whose research examines sports, media, technology andculture in a rapidly evolving medialandscape. The expected start date is August 16, 2027.
This search is part of a cluster hiring initiative in the College of Media, with each of its academic department- Advertising, Journalism, and Media & Cinemas Studies- conducting an independent search for an assistant professor whose scholarship and teaching align with the priorities of their respective departments. Ideal candidates for the Media and Cinema Studies position will possess the potential for high-quality research, publication, and teaching in the field of sports and media in US and/or global perspective.
We are particularly interested in candidateswho draw on interdisciplinary bodies of media theory, demonstrate methodological rigor andintellectual creativity, and may engage qualitative, quantitative, historical,interpretive, computational,or mixed-methods approaches. Applicantsshould demonstrate a capacity for original and forward-thinking research inareas including, but not limited to:

• Criticalapproaches to sports and media.
• Mediaindustries, governance, and political economy of sports and media.
• Sportsand digital platforms, social media, streaming, and interactive media.
• Videogames, esports, fantasy sports, and gambling.
• Fans,audiences, activism, and participatory cultures of sports and media.
• Sports,media infrastructures, and spatial formations, including stadiums, venues, andurban development.
• Sportsmedia and race/class/gender/sexuality/citizenship.
• Documentary,nonfiction, and storytelling practices of sports.
• Historiesand genealogies of sports media.
• Productioncultures and labor in sports media.
• Datafication,AI, VR/AR, and emerging technologies of sports and its media.

Successful candidates should demonstrate the ability to teach across multiple media forms, technologies, industries, and cultural contexts, and to contribute to the undergraduate and graduate curricula in Media and Cinema Studies and graduate seminars through the College's Institute of Communications Research. New faculty in the Department of Media and Cinema Studies will have the opportunity to develop teaching and research collaborations within the College of Media and the robustly interdisciplinary environment at the University of Illinois.
Applicants should have a Ph.D. in hand by August 16, 2027, in a relevant field, including but not limited to in media studies, cinema studies, or a related field.
Appointment Information
This is a 100% full-time Academic position, appointed on a 9/12-month basis. The expected start date is August 16, 2027. The salary for this position is $80,000-$90,000. Salary will be competitive and commensurate with the candidate's qualifications, rank, and experience while considering internal equity. This position is eligible for sponsorship forwork authorization, except for sponsorship of a new H1B petition that wouldincur the $100,000 fee.
Application Procedures & Deadline Information
Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (Central Time) on September 15, 2026. Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting andupload a cover letter, CV, writing sample of no more than 50 pages (dissertation chapter, conference paper, book chapter, article) that best illustrates research agenda and contributions, and the name and contact information for three academic references who will provide letters of recommendation. Applications not submitted through https://jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered. Full consideration will be given to applications received by September 15, 2026. Applicants may be interviewed before the closing date; however, no hiring decision will be made until after that date. The review will continue until the position has been filled. For further information about this specific position, please contact James Hay at jameshay@illinois.edu.
For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.
Founded in 1867 as Illinois's flagship public university, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign empowers a global community of students, scholars, and alumni to change the world through bold, innovative research and transformative education. With a land-grant heritage rooted in progress, Illinois faculty drive paradigm-shifting discoveries, mentor future leaders, and collaborate across 15 colleges and instructional units and more than 20 research institutes. The university's legacy of excellence includes 24 Nobel Prizes and 29 Pulitzer Prizes awarded to its faculty and alumni, $755 million in sponsored research funding, and 94 academic programs ranked in the top 20 nationally. Illinois offers the resources, recognition, and reach to accelerate your career - along with a highly competitive benefits portfolio. Discover how the Illinois Value Proposition fosters professional longevity, personal fulfillment, and a deep sense of purpose in every role.
Faculty Recruitment
Champaign-Urbana
Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position; however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.
This position is intended to be eligible for benefits. This includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.
The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.
Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodation portal, or by contacting the Office for Access & Equity at 217-333-0885, option #1, or accessibility@illinois.edu.
Requisition ID: 1036996
Job Category: Faculty
Apply at: https://jobs.illinois.edu