Assistant Professor - Public Relations

The Zimmerman School of Advertising & Mass Communications at the University of South Florida invites applications for two (2) Assistant Professors in Public Relations, a nine-month, full-time, tenure-earning position with a start date of August 7, 2027. Salary is negotiable.

Minimum Qualifications: Candidates must have a Ph.D. in Mass Communications or a related field from an accredited institution. ABD candidates will be considered, but the degree must be completed prior to the appointment start date of August 7, 2027. Candidates must be qualified to teach public relations courses in the undergraduate Integrated Public Relations and Advertising (IPRA) program and in the Strategic Communication Management track of the Mass Communications master’s program. The successful candidate must have a commitment to excellence in the classroom, a defined research agenda focused on any area of public relations, and prior experience teaching public relations courses. The successful candidate must also meet university criteria for appointment to the rank of Assistant Professor.

Preferred Qualifications: The ideal candidate will have experience teaching one or more of the following courses: public relations ethics and social responsibility, public relations data analytics, and/or social media strategy for public relations. In addition, the ideal candidate will have professional experience in the public relations industry to inform their teaching and scholarship.

When applying, please attach the following:

• Cover letter
• CV
• Teaching philosophy
• Research statement
• Provide names and contact information for three (3) professional references

The positions are open until filled, with initial review of applications beginning on October 23, 2026.

Questions may be directed to the search committee chair, Dr. Kelli Burns, at kburns@usf.edu.

The Zimmerman School, located in Florida's #1 media market, offers students transformational learning experiences in media and communication through distinctive curricula and hands-on training with award-winning scholars and professionals. Students direct a student-run advertising and public relations agency that represents local and global clients, partner with local and national organizations to advance community initiatives, train in a state-of-the-art virtual production studio, produce award-winning broadcast news shows that air on the local PBS affiliate, and travel abroad to gain international experience through classes and internships. Our graduate students conduct research and develop professional projects to enhance expertise in their fields and prepare for continued graduate study and success in professional practice.

Conclusion of this search is subject to final budget approval. According to Florida Law, applications and meetings regarding them are open to the public. USF is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access institution. For disability accommodations, contact Gina Lombardo at glombardo@usf.edu, a minimum of five working days in advance.

The University of South Florida is a top-ranked research university serving approximately 50,000 students from across the globe at campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg and USF Health. In 2025, U.S. News & World Report recognized USF with its highest overall ranking in university history, as a top 50 public university for the seventh consecutive year and as one of the top 15 best values among all public universities in the nation. U.S. News also ranks the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine in the highest tier, placing it as one of the top 16 medical schools in the nation and inside the top 10 among public universities. USF is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), a group that includes only the top 3% of universities in the U.S. With an all-time high of $750 million in research funding in 2025 and as a top 20 public university for producing U.S. patents, USF uses innovation to transform lives and shape a better future. The university generates an annual economic impact of nearly $10 billion for the state of Florida. USF’s Division I athletics teams compete in the American Conference. Learn more at www.usf.edu.