Assistant Professor in Political Communication and AI

San José State University’s Department of Communication Studies invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position in Political Communication and AI, beginning August 17, 2027.

About the Role

The successful candidate will be a teacher-scholar whose research and teaching explore the intersections of political communication, artificial intelligence, democratic life, and public discourse through social-scientific, interpretive, rhetorical, and/or critical paradigms. Areas of specialization may include AI and political communication, misinformation and disinformation, political polarization, platform governance, digital campaigning, civic engagement, algorithmic publics, public advocacy, political rhetoric, public opinion, and the ethical, social, and democratic implications of emerging communication technologies.

The department is especially interested in colleagues who can establish robust local and national governmental, policy, and technological partnerships, as well as internship programs related to civic and public sectors.

The Department of Communication Studies offers B.A. and M.A. degrees and is committed to critical, innovative, and justice-oriented approaches to teaching, scholarship, and public engagement. Faculty and students engage in impactful research and high-impact educational opportunities, including student research, community-engaged learning, study abroad, internships, and a senior capstone course.

Responsibilities

• Teach and develop undergraduate and graduate courses in communication studies, including core and elective offerings in political communication, rhetoric, digital media, communication theory, and research methods.
• Maintain an active research agenda leading to peer-reviewed publications and public scholarship.
• Engage in service to the department, college, university, and broader community.
• Advise and mentor students, including supervising graduate theses or projects.
• Participate in shared governance through department, college, and university committees.
• Organize all classes within the Canvas Learning Management System (LMS).
• Demonstrate awareness and experience in understanding the needs of a diverse student population through inclusive course materials, teaching strategies, and advisement.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Communication Studies or a closely related field (completed by time of appointment).
• Evidence of a well-defined, active, and ongoing research agenda demonstrated through peer-reviewed publications and presentations.
• Demonstrated commitment to excellence in teaching, including inclusive and equity-minded pedagogy.
• Ability to teach existing courses in the department and develop new courses in the candidate’s areas of expertise.
• Awareness of and sensitivity to the educational goals of a socially and economically diverse student population.

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong record of teaching excellence and service.
• Research and/or community engagement addressing the impacts of AI on historically marginalized communities in political contexts.
• Scholarly and/or teaching engagement with the intersections of political communication, rhetoric, technology, race, gender, and power.
• Background in decolonial, feminist, queer, or critical race theories as they relate to political communication and technology.
• Experience in political and/or technological activism.
• Experience or interest in developing curriculum related to political communication, AI, and ethics.

Benefits

Faculty employee benefits are highly competitive within the higher education sector. For details, see the CSU Employee Benefits Summary.

Pay

Anticipated hiring range for the academic year: $88,000 – $92,000, commensurate with qualifications, experience, and rank as established by the CSU Salary Schedule.

About the Institution

San José State University is Silicon Valley’s public university, enrolling over 40,000 students—many of whom are historically underserved. Approximately 45% of undergraduates are first-generation college students, and 38% are Pell Grant recipients. SJSU is both a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) and an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPISI). The university is committed to advancing equity through research, teaching, and service, and seeks teacher-scholars who cultivate inclusive, empowering learning environments.

Applicants are invited to include a Statement of Institutional Excellence (or incorporate it into their cover letter) addressing how their lived and professional experiences will contribute to the SJSU community, particularly in relation to student success. Guidelines for this statement can be found here.