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Assistant Professor, Health & Science Communication, Tenure Track

Assistant Professor, Health & Science Communication, Tenure Track

  • 498466
  • Grand Forks, North Dakota, United States
  • Full-time Faculty
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Salary/Position Classification

  • $65,000 9-month contract, Exempt
  • 40 hours per week
  • This position will work onsite at UND Grand Forks, ND campus

Purpose of Position

The Department of Communication at the University of North Dakota seeks a tenure-track assistant professor who has expertise in science and health communication within diverse social, cultural, political, and global contexts and who employs either qualitative, quantitative, and/or computational research methods.  

The University of North Dakota is supportive of dual-career assistance both within the University and the local community. Please be sure to notify our Recruiting Manager, Hannah Whalen (Hannah.Whalen@UND.edu) right away to explore dual-career opportunities. 

Established in 1883, the University of North Dakota is the oldest research university in North Dakota. Founded with a strong liberal arts foundation, it is the state’s flagship university and is classified by the Carnegie Foundation as having very high research activity. UND offers degrees in more than 225 fields of study with nearly 16,000 students.  It is the home of the state’s only School of Law and School of Medicine. The School of Medicine and Health Sciences has major initiatives in rural and public health, and Aerospace is home to one of the first and largest unmanned aerial vehicle programs in the world. 

UND is located in Grand Forks, North Dakota, a vibrant college town of roughly 60,000 people located on the border of North Dakota and Minnesota. Short commutes, a great public-school system, high quality medical facilities, low crime, ample parks and theaters, and a cost of living below that found in large American cities are some of Grand Forks’ advantages. Ranked as one of the top 5 Best Small College Towns, and America’s Best Hockey Town, Grand Forks offers stellar quality of life without the metropolitan hassles. 

Duties & Responsibilities

The successful applicant will receive an initial contract with an approximate effort distribution of 50% teaching, 40% research, and 10% service. We value diverse perspectives and actively seek applicants committed to the success of our students. 

Publishing peer-reviewed journal articles and applying for competitive external grants on a regular basis will be expected for tenure. Annual teaching load will be 2/2. The successful candidate will be expected to teach undergraduate-level courses face-to-face and online, including but not limited to, Science Communication, Health Communication, and Persuasion. The candidate will also be expected to teach some graduate-level (M.A. and Ph.D.) courses such as Theoretical Perspectives in Communication, Concepts in Qualitative Communication Research, Interpersonal Relations and Communication, and Intercultural Communication. Assigned courses will be consistent with the successful candidate’s area of expertise.  

Required Competencies

  • Established ability to conducting and publishing scientific studies
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills, including evidence of the ability to teach, inspire, and mentor students
  • Effective interpersonal skills, including the ability to collaborate effectively with faculty, staff, and students
  • Ability and willingness to work with and engage diverse students and colleagues within and outside the Department of Communication
  • Ability to adapt to current methods of teaching, including online delivery

Minimum Requirements

  • Ph.D. in Communication or related discipline by 8/15/2027
  • Successful completion of a Criminal History Background Check

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the US and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. 

Preferred Qualifications

  • Evidence of track record of research, teaching, education, and/or professional experience related to communication
  • Experience being part of an externally (grant)-funded research team(s)
  • Evidence of applying for and/or obtaining external funding
  • Experience incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) into research and teaching
  • Experience offering students experiential learning opportunities
  • Experience teaching both undergraduate-level and graduate-level courses in a Department of Communication’s curriculum
  • Experience teaching online courses

To Apply

To assure full consideration, applications must be received by 10/30/2026 and include the following materials:

  • Letter of application
  • Curriculum vitae
  • List of at least three references (including contact information)

Position is open until filled.  

Questions can be directed to the Department Chair, Joonghwa Lee, at joonghwa.lee@und.edu.  

Please note, all employment postings close at 11:55pm CST.

Position Benefits

Benefits include single or family health care coverage (UND pays the full premium), life insurance, employee assistance program, retirement plans with generous employer contributions, sick leave in addition to paid holidays.

Optional benefits include supplemental life, dental, vision, flexible spending account, supplemental retirement plans.

UND also offers an employee tuition waiver and a variety of professional development opportunities.

Find out more about UND's great benefits and perks!

Categories: Tenure/Tenure-track Faculty

Department: Communication Dept

Other UND Career Openings

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Additional Information

Find out why Grand Forks is Cooler.

All information listed in this position announcement will be used by Human Resources, the Hiring Department, and Civil Rights & Title IX for screening, interviewing and selection purposes.

Need help?

Please email the Human Resources Department at UND.humanresources@UND.edu or contact us by phone at 701-777-4226. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation to participate in any portion of the University's employment process, including completion of the online application process, please contact our office in advance of your participation or visit. 

Veteran’s Preference

Veterans claiming preference must submit all proof of eligibility by the closing date. Proof of eligibility includes a DD-214 or a copy of NGB 22 from National Guard or Reserve (with a unit located in ND) or certification from the applicant's unit command that the individual is expected to be discharged or released from active duty in the uniformed services under other than dishonorable conditions not later than one hundred twenty days after the date of the submission of the certification. If claiming disabled veteran status, proof of eligibility includes a DD-214 and a current letter of disability dated within the past year.

Confidentiality of Application Materials

Pursuant to NDCC 44-04-18.27, applications and any records related to the applications that identify an applicant are confidential, except records related to the finalists of the position, which are open to the public after the search committee has identified the top three or more finalists who will be invited to campus.

EEO Statement

The University of North Dakota is an equal opportunity employer (veteran/disability). All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin (including shared ancestry/ethnicity), religion, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, genetic information, marital or parental status, veteran's status, or other protected characteristic. Veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Clery Statement

In compliance with the  Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act and Campus Crime Statistics Act, the University of North Dakota publishes an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report. The report includes the university’s policies, procedures, and programs concerning safety and security, as well as three years of crime statistics for our campus. As a prospective employee, you are entitled to a copy of this report. The report and statistical data can be found online at UND.edu. You may also request a paper copy of the report from the UND Police Department located at 3851 Campus Road, Grand Forks, ND, 58202.