Full Time Democratic Strategist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The Department of Communication and Journalism in the College of Arts & Sciences at Texas A&M University invites applications for a tenured Associate Professor in the Communication & Media Science Division. This full-time, nine-month faculty appointment has an anticipated start date of August 1, 2027, and includes tenure review upon hire.
This position is part of a strategic faculty cluster examining the communicative foundations of democratic society. Through coordinated hiring across the department's three academic three academic divisions- Humanities & Critical/Cultural Studies , Communication & Media Science , and Journalism & Media Practices- Texas A&M University is investing in scholarship that advances understanding of communication, public knowledge, citizenship, civic participation, and the institutions and practices that sustain democratic public life. The initiative reflects the department's commitment to strengthening each of its scholarly traditions while fostering intellectual exchange across complementary perspectives on communication and public life.
We seek a scholar whose research advances communication science through rigorous empirical investigations of communication processes in democratic society. Competitive candidates will maintain an established and impactful program of research examining how contemporary media and communication environments shape the production and circulation of public information, as well as the ways individuals and communities evaluate competing public claims, form political and civic judgments, build trust, negotiate disagreement, and participate in public life. Areas of scholarly interest include, but are not limited to, political communication, public opinion, media effects, civic engagement, misinformation, communication and public knowledge, democratic deliberation, and related areas that deepen understanding of communication's role in democratic culture and institutions. We welcome scholars employing diverse empirical approaches whose work is united by a strong theoretical commitment to explaining communication processes.
Successful candidates will be expected to sustain a strong and impactful program of research, publish in leading scholarly outlets, demonstrate a record of pursuing and securing external funding appropriate to their career stage and area of scholarship, teach undergraduate and graduate courses, mentor doctoral students, and contribute to departmental, university, and professional service. As an Associate Professor in the Communication & Media Science Division, the successful candidate will also be expected to provide intellectual leadership through the mentoring of junior faculty, the continued development of graduate education, the cultivation of collaborative research initiatives, and to contribution to the division's long-term scholarly growth.
The Department of Communication and Journalism administers BA and BS degrees in communication, media, and journalism and offers MA and PhD degrees in Communication. The department includes more than 50 faculty members, over 35 communication graduate students, and approximately 1,700 undergraduate students. The department values disciplinary excellence, interdisciplinary engagement, and innovative teaching. The successful candidate will join the Communication & Media Science Division This division is one of the department's three academic divisions, which also encompasses Humanities & Critical/Cultural Studies and Journalism & Media Practices . Together, these divisions examine communication, media, and journalism through distinct but complementary disciplinary perspectives, creating a rich intellectual environment for faculty mentoring, scholarly exchange, and graduate education.
Recent strategic investments have strengthened the department through sustained faculty recruitment, expanded graduate education, and significant enhancements to research infrastructure. The department promotes a welcoming and supportive academic community in which faculty across all ranks participate fully in the intellectual life and strategic direction of the unit. Texas A&M University offers an outstanding quality of life, a collegial academic environment, and exceptional institutional support for faculty success. Additional information regarding the department is available at cmjr.tamu.edu.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Communication, Mass Communication, Journalism, Media Studies, or a closely related field.
• Qualifications appropriate for appointment as a tenured Associate Professor at Texas A&M University through tenure review upon hire.
• An established program of scholarly achievement demonstrating sustained contributions to communication science.
• Evidence of excellence in undergraduate and graduate teaching.
• Demonstrated success mentoring graduate students and the potential to mentor junior faculty.
• Demonstrated capacity for leadership in externally visible and externally fundable research.

Preferred Qualifications

• Record of securing competitive external funding or strong evidence of continued competitiveness for external funding.
• Record of intellectual leadership within the communication discipline through research, mentorship, and professional service.

Application Instructions
Interested applicants must apply through the Texas A&M University faculty job board hosted by Interfolio at apply.interfolio.com/190499 and upload the following: (1) cover letter, (2) curriculum vitae, (3) personal statement to include philosophy and plans for research, teaching, and service, (4) names and contact information for three references.
Review of applications will begin on October 5, 2026 and will continue until the search is completed. Additional questions may be directed to the Search Committee Chair: Yunkang Yang, yunkangyang@tamu.edu.
Application Process
This institution is using Interfolio's Faculty Search to conduct this search. Applicants to this position receive a free Dossier account and can send all application materials, including confidential letters of recommendation, free of charge.
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