Teaching Assistant Professor

The Department of Communication at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill invites applications for the position of Teaching Assistant Professor (fixed term, non-tenure track) in Interpersonal Communication or Organizational Communication. This is a full-time three-year appointment that is renewable and eligible for promotion in rank. The position carries a 3/3 teaching load, with 80% of time devoted to teaching and 20% to service. We are seeking an innovative and dynamic teaching-focused colleague who specializes in interpersonal and relational communication. This colleague will lead a core foundational course for the Department of Communication (COMM120), which introduces undergraduates to key frameworks, research, and skills in interpersonal communication. As many undergraduate students discover their passion for a communication major through this course, we seek a dynamic educator who can scaffold an engaging, rigorous learning experience. The large lecture format of COMM120 trains graduate teaching assistants in communication pedagogy. Our new colleague will therefore serve a key role in mentoring emerging educators as they master the content and prepare to teach their own, smaller, independent sections of the course. Additional teaching responsibilities may include courses in relational and interpersonal communication to strengthen existing course offerings in interpersonal and organizational communication, including family communication, small group communication, and advanced interpersonal communication. This new colleague may develop courses based on their interests that complement course offerings in the Department's Communication & Everyday Life ( CEL) and Organization, Communication & Work ( OCW) pathways.

The Department of Communication is one of 44 departments and curricula in the College of Arts & Sciences. As the largest unit on campus, the College of Arts & Sciences forms the academic core of the Carolina experience. Through teaching, research, and service, the Department of Communication addresses how communication functions to create, sustain, and transform personal life, social relations, political institutions, economic organizations, and cultural and aesthetic conventions in society. Faculty conduct research and teach within a broad range of communication disciplines, including performance studies, media and technology studies, rhetoric, media arts production and new media, and organizational and interpersonal communication. Recognized for significant contributions to the profession, University, state, and nation, the Department houses a PhD program, a major in Communication, an interdisciplinary major in Cultural Studies, and a minor in Writing for the Screen and Stage. It serves as the intellectual home for 26 faculty members, 45 graduate students, and nearly 700 undergraduates. The Department's doctoral program offers a theoretically rich, interdisciplinary, problem-based approach to education and research that enables graduate students to define their own research in response to the changing demands of a constantly evolving communicative and cultural world. The Department's majors, as well as the hundreds of pan-University non-majors seek out our classes for a set of critical capacities that contribute to an engaged, creative, and critical 21st century citizen. The department's website provides a detailed look at our activities, mission, and values.

To teach undergraduate classes related to interpersonal, relational and organizational communication and mentor graduate students teaching sections of those classes. To serve as a coordinator for COMM 120: Intro to Interpersonal and Organizational Communication. To teach courses related to communication and its various subfields, in this case interpersonal and organizational communication.

PhD in Communication or a related discipline with a specialization in interpersonal or relational communication. Excellent record of, or potential for, undergraduate teaching, evidenced by submitted materials highlighting engaging pedagogy. Ability to articulate the intersections between relational and organizational communication, evidenced in a cover letter, record of experience, or a well-developed teaching portfolio.

Experience teaching large lecture classes (100+) or coordinating large-scale training. Experience, or potential for, mentoring emerging educators (e.g. graduate students, student teachers, peer tutors or mentors, training trainers, new instructors). Experience with instructional design, curriculum development, or communication pedagogy.

Applicants should submit a cover letter, CV, teaching and mentoring philosophy, sample syllabi, and the names of three references. We will ask candidates who advance to a Zoom interview to solicit and submit letters of recommendation to the search committee. Amongst those materials, applicants should discuss their experience, investment in, and approaches to teaching introductory courses and mentoring students. Other materials may also be included in the application packet including evidence of teaching effectiveness and published works on pedagogical practice. We value pedagogical approaches informed by professional experience outside of academia and encourage qualified applicants to highlight how these experiences may inform their teaching. Applications will be reviewed starting on November 11, 2025.

If you experience any problems accessing the system or have questions about the application process, please contact the University's Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost office at (919)-962-1091 or send an email to facultyrecruitment@unc.edu.

Please note: The Executive Vice Chancellor & Provost office will not be able to provide specific updates regarding position or application status.

If you have any questions about the job requirements or the hiring department notify the Department Contact.

The University is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all to apply without regard to age, color, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.