Science Communication Assistant Jobs in Sandy, UT

Posting Details
The University of Utah, an AA/EO employer, encourages applications from all qualified individuals, and provides reasonable accommodation to the known disabilities of applicants and employees. The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students, staff, faculty and patients from all backgrounds and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education, employment opportunities, and quality healthcare for historically underrepresented groups.
Position Information
Proposed Faculty Rank
Tenure Track
Department
00085 - Communication
City
Salt Lake City, UT
Track
Tenure Track
New Position to Begin
7/1/2026
Details
The Department of Communication at the University of Utah invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor in Indigenous Communication. We seek a scholar whose research and teaching center Indigenous knowledge systems, lived experiences, and communicative practices, particularly in relation to areas such as health, science, environment, journalism and media, and public life.
The successful candidate will have an interdisciplinary research agenda that examines how communication operates within and across Indigenous communities, institutions, and publics. Areas of interest may include (but are not limited to): Indigenous health communication, environmental and land-based communication, science and technology studies, risk and crisis communication, media sovereignty, journalism, public policy, and community-engaged or participatory research.
We are especially interested in candidates whose research and teaching:

• Centers Indigenous epistemologies, methodologies, and ethical research practices
• Addresses issues of equity, sovereignty, and self-determination in communicative contexts
• Engages applied or community-based approaches with relevance to health, science, environmental, or policy settings
• Engages significant teaching areas such as applied research methods, strategic communication, social responsibility, professional and organizational communication, health communication, journalism, and media theory

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• A strong and emerging research agenda with clear potential for peer-reviewed publication and external funding
• A commitment to inclusive, culturally grounded, and equity-minded teaching that is anchored in expertise in Indigenous knowledge systems, lived experiences, and communicative practices
• The ability to contribute to interdisciplinary collaboration across health, science, environmental, and policy-focused units
• Interest in mentoring students and participating in departmental and university service
• Evidence of successful teaching across areas such as applied research methods, strategic communication, social responsibility, professional and organizational communication, health communication, journalism, and media theory

Teaching responsibilities will include undergraduate and graduate courses aligned with departmental needs in Communication as listed above, with additional opportunities to develop courses in Indigenous Communication, health communication, environmental communication, journalism and media, or related areas.
The University of Utah is committed to fostering an inclusive campus community and strongly encourages applications from candidates who will contribute to the intellectual, cultural, and social vitality of Indigenous, local, and global communities.
Minimum Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Communication or a closely related field by the start date (ABD candidates will be accepted)

Appointment Details

• Tenure-track Assistant Professor
• Full-time, nine-month appointment
• Competitive salary and benefits

Review of applications begins 2/18/2026.
EEO/Non-Discrimination Information
The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education.
Veterans' preference is extended to qualified applicants, upon request and consistent with University policy and Utah state law. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities.
Consistent with state and federal law, the University of Utah does not discriminate based upon race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, or protected veteran's status. The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and 34 CFR part 106. The requirement not to discriminate in education programs or activities extends to admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and its regulations may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, to the Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, or both.
To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability or if you or someone you know has experienced discrimination or sexual misconduct including sexual harassment, you may contact the Director/Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX (OEO). More information, including the Director/Title IX Coordinator's office address, electronic mail address, and telephone number, can be located at https://www.utah.edu/nondiscrimination/.
Online reports may be submitted at https://oeo.utah.edu.
Notice
The University is a participating employer with Utah Retirement Systems ("URS"). Eligible new hires with prior URS service may elect to enroll in URS if they make the election before they become eligible for retirement (usually the first day of work). Contact Human Resources at (801) 581-7447 for information. Individuals who previously retired and are receiving monthly retirement benefits from URS are subject to URS' post-retirement rules and restrictions. Please contact Utah Retirement Systems at (801) 366-7770 or (800) 695-4877 or University Human Resource Management at (801) 581-7447 if you have questions regarding the post-retirement rules.
This position may require the successful completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen.
https://publicsafety.utah.edu/safetyreport/
This report includes statistics about criminal offenses, hate crimes, arrests and referrals for disciplinary action, and Violence Against Women Act offenses. They also provide information about safety and security-related services offered by the University of Utah. A paper copy can be obtained by request at the Department of Public Safety located at 1658 East 500 South.
Special Instructions for Candidates

• Cover Letter
• Curriculum Vitae
• Teaching Statement
• Research Statement (these may also be combined as one) 2-3
• Names and contact information (phone number and e-mail addresses) for three references (We will contact them once the finalists have been chosen for the position).

Open Date
01/09/2026
Close Date
Open Until Filled
Yes
Requisition Number
PRN01468CF
Type
Faculty