Who we are

Why Rensselaer? Our dynamic global community of changemakers includes some of the world’s leading researchers, students, alumni, and faculty who ask the important questions and devise the scientific and technological innovations that make the world a better place for all of humanity. Nestled on a beautiful 275-acre campus in upstate NY, Rensselaer is home to five schools, 32 research centers, three makerspaces, an observatory, and one of the world’s fastest supercomputers. 

The Department of Communication and Media offers a B.S. in Communication, Media & Design; an M.S. in Communication & Rhetoric; and a Ph.D. in Communication & Rhetoric. The successful candidate will teach graduate and undergraduate courses.

Rensselaer faculty and alumni include more than 145 National Academy members, six members of the National Inventors Hall of Fame, six National Medal of Technology winners, five National Medal of Science winners, three astronauts, and a Nobel Prize winner in Physics. With nearly 200 years of experience advancing scientific and technological knowledge, Rensselaer remains focused on addressing global challenges with a spirit of ingenuity and collaboration. To learn more, please visit www.rpi.edu.

Are you ready to change the world? Apply now!

Job Summary

The Department of Communication and Media in the School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute invites applications for a tenured or tenure-track, open-rank faculty position in Public Communication beginning in August 2024.

The department is home to a dynamic, growing faculty researching communication and media from a broad range of disciplinary and interdisciplinary fields. We welcome applicants with a promising or established program of research and evidence of a commitment to teaching excellence that will contribute to both current and newly envisioned degree programs.

Minimum Qualifications

Ph.D., E.D., or foreign degree equivalent in Communication, Media, Rhetoric, or closely related field is required, as well as evidence of effective teaching, and the ability to demonstrate, through accomplishment, promise of academic, scholarly and/or research achievement.

We are interested in candidates who teach and research communication with the public from a broad range of critical perspectives. Preferred areas of expertise include: Science Communication, Speech Communication, Rhetoric/ Persuasion, Political Communication, Cross-Cultural Public Communication, and Social Justice Communication. Experience in and/or commitment to public-facing, participatory, or community engaged scholarship is also desirable.

Applicants must meet stated minimum education and experience requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

Those with experience or interest in administrative leadership are encouraged to apply. 

Starting Salary/Rate

Expected hiring range:

Assistant Professor: $80,000 - 90,000 Associate Professor: $100,000 - 120,000 Professor: $125,000 - 135,000

Pay transparency disclosure: The selected candidate’s salary will be determined based on factors that include the available budget, internal equity, and the final candidate’s qualifications, experience, education and other job-related credentials. This hiring range is provided as Rensselaer’s good faith estimate of the expected hiring range at the time of posting.

Application instructions

Follow the on-screen prompts to create a brief online profile with contact information for three references. Please be ready to upload your CV/resume, cover letter, statement of teaching, and diversity statement

If you need assistance with the online application process, please contact careers@rpi.edu.

Job Posted Date

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.  Applications received by December 1, 2023 will receive first consideration.

Culture of Safety at Rensselaer

Rensselaer is committed to providing a safe and healthy living, learning, and working environment for its faculty, staff and students.  As such, we strongly recommend that faculty, staff and students obtain a COVID-19 vaccination and remain current with available boosters to protect themselves, as well as to protect vulnerable members of the community.

Total Compensation and Benefits Information

Rensselaer’s Total Compensation Program is designed to provide stable pay growth, a comprehensive and affordable benefits package, and a comprehensive and affordable retiree medical and prescription plan. Rensselaer is recognized locally and nationally for the depth and breadth of its compensation and benefits program. Our goal is to provide you and your family with a comprehensive health and welfare program as an umbrella of financial security and protection during your employment. For more information, please visit Benefits | Human Resources (rpi.edu).

We welcome candidates who will bring diverse cultural, ethnic, national and international perspectives to Rensselaer’s work and campus communities.

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity, Race/Gender/Veterans/Disability Employer.