The Virginia Tech School of Communication invites applications for a tenure-track assistant professor whose research and teaching focus on sports media, media analytics, or sports data journalism. Ideal candidates will have academic and professional backgrounds relevant to application of analytic techniques to sports media and sports journalism practice. The candidate should be prepared to teach courses related to sports media analytics or sports journalism. An ability to teach courses in sports and gender or sports and diverse populations will be strongly considered. Candidates should be prepared to contribute to curriculum development, emphasizing integration of analytic techniques with sports journalism and other forms of sports media. Typical teaching expectations are two courses per semester.
Applicants must have a PhD in communication or a closely related discipline. Preference will be given to applicants with college teaching experience, professional sports media experience, sports analytics, and/or sports data journalism experience.
The School of Communication serves more than 1,000 undergraduate students across five majors (sports media and analytics, public relations, multimedia journalism, communication, and advertising) and 30 graduate students in its MA in communication and MA in reputation management degrees. Virginia Tech ranked 5th in the 2022 Sportscasters Talent Association of America ranking of sports broadcasting schools. Virginia Tech is a public land-grant university, committed to teaching and learning, research, and outreach to the Commonwealth of Virginia, the nation, and the world., Building on its motto of Ut Prosim (that I may serve), Virginia Tech is dedicated to InclusiveVT – serving in the spirit of community, diversity, and excellence. Virginia Tech actively seeks a broad spectrum of candidates to join our community in preparing leaders for the world. The School of Communication fully embraces Virginia Tech’s commitment to increase faculty, staff and student diversity, to ensure a welcoming, affirming, safe, and accessible campus climate, and to advance our research, teaching, and service mission through inclusive diversity.
Screening of applications will begin December 20, 2023. Complete applications include the online application form and the following supplemental materials: 1) a cover letter briefly detailing the applicant’s research and fit with the job description and school, 2) a curriculum vitae, 3) a teaching statement that demonstrates knowledge and experience in providing an equitable and inclusive educational environment that supports the learning of a diverse student body and that is consistent with the Virginia Tech Principles of Community, and 4) a list of three references (names, address, phone numbers, and email contacts). Applications must be submitted electronically at https://careers.pageuppeople.com/968/cw/en-us/job/527824. ABD applicants will be considered, but the doctoral degree must be awarded by the appointment date of August 10, 2024.
Please direct questions about the position to Mike Horning, School of Communication, Shanks Hall (0311), Blacksburg, VA 24061, 540-231-7162, mhorning@vt.edu.
Required Qualifications
• PhD in communication or related field.
• Demonstrated potential for scholarly publication and successful teaching.
• Potential for the development and maintenance of a nationally or internationally recognized research program
Preferred Qualifications
• Professional experience working in the sports media or related fields
• Background and research expertise related to sports media, sports analytics, and/or sports data journalism.
• Potential to secure external funding.
• Ability to teach students concepts and skills related to sports media and sports data journalism.
• College-level teaching experience.
• Interest in working with graduate students on sports-related projects and theses