Assistant Professor of English in Technical Communication & Rhetoric

Overview

The Department of English at Utah State University seeks applications for an academic-year, nine-month, tenure-track Assistant Professor of English in Technical Communication & Rhetoric, with a specialization in health disparities, broadly defined. Preferred areas of interest include rhetorics of health and medicine, technical communication in medical or health environments, and allied areas. Possible secondary expertise in rhetorics of science and technology, including environmental communication, is welcome. The candidate will join a department committed to transformative pedagogies and equal opportunities for all students. The new Assistant Professor will be part of a multi-disciplinary cluster hire at USU that connects scholarship in health disparities and educational disparities. This initiative will grow interdisciplinary curricular offerings (including certificates and programs), form research clusters, and create other avenues to research health and educational concerns. 

The applicant is required to have a PhD in technical communication, rhetoric, or a related field, a strong teaching record, and potential for publication. This is a research-centered position (50% of the role statement) with a teaching load of two courses per semester (2/2). These courses will be based on the Logan campus, in Northern Utah’s scenic Cache Valley. The candidate will also engage in teaching as an area of effectiveness (40% of role statement) and service (10%). The position begins in August 2025

Review of applications begins Oct. 11, 2024 and continues until the position is filled. 

Responsibilities

• Publish in their field(s) of expertise
• Teach courses at different levels of the curriculum, including general education, undergraduate majors, and graduate courses
• Mentor both undergraduate and graduate students 

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Applicants must earn a PhD in technical communication, rhetoric, or a related field and must have fulfilled their degree requirements by August 1, 2025. 
• Have a proven record of research excellence. Preference will be given to applicants who have published articles, book chapters, and/or books. 
• Have a proven record of teaching excellence. 

Required Documents

Along with the online application, please attach:

1. Resume/CV to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Resume/CV”
2. Name and contact information for three professional references to be entered into Candidate Profile
3. Cover letter to be typed/pasted at the end of your application

• Document size may not exceed 10 MB.**

Please not that if your candidacy advances to the next round of review, your references will be sent an email asking them to provide a letter of recommendation. Candidates advancing to the next round will be asked to provide a philosophy of teaching and a writing sample. 

Advertised Salary

Commensurate with qualifications and experience, plus excellent benefits

ADA

Employees typically work indoors and are protected from weather and/or contaminants, but not, necessarily, occasional temperature changes. 

College/Department Highlights

Utah State University actively pursues equal opportunities for all students through education, research, creative activity, and collaboration. Women, minority, and veteran candidates, as well as candidates with disabilities, are especially encouraged to apply. The College of Humanities and Social Sciences is committed to supporting interdisciplinary scholarship, creative work, and transformative pedagogy within both historic and contemporary timeframes. Department of English programs include Composition, Literature, Creative Writing, English Education, Technical Communication and Rhetoric, Folklore, and American Studies. For further information about the Department of English, refer to english.usu.edu. 

University Highlights

Founded in 1888, Utah State University is Utah’s premier land-grant, public service university, with a strong commitment to excellence, access, and inclusion, empowering people to lead successful lives of involvement, innovation, and impact. Utah State provides high-quality education to 27,500-plus students locations throughout the state, including at three residential campuses, eight statewide campuses, and 23 education centers. USU Online educates students from all 50 states and 55 countries. For over 25 years, USU Extension has served and engaged Utahns in all of Utah’s counties. As an R1 research institution, Utah State is dedicated to advancing knowledge through research and scholarly activities, providing a high-quality undergraduate and graduate education at an affordable price.

Utah State is committed to cultivating a community of inclusive excellence where all perspectives, values, cultures, and identities are acknowledged, welcomed, and valued. We seek to recruit, hire, and retain people from all walks of life who will champion excellence in education, research, discovery, outreach, and service. We believe that promoting a strong sense of community and belonging empowers and engages all members of USU to thrive and be successful. Forbes recognized our commitment to employees when they named Utah State the best employer in Utah in 2023. Learn more about USU. 

The university provides a Dual Career Assistance Program to support careers for partners who are also seeking employment. Additionally, USU is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability, contact the university’s ADA Coordinator in the Office of Human Resources at (435) 797-0122 or [email protected]. 

About the Region

U.S. News and World Report ranked Utah first for its strong economy, fiscal stability, education, and health care. Outstanding outdoor recreational opportunities abound throughout the state, including five national parks, 43 state parks and recreation areas, and 15 alpine ski resorts. The home of USU’s main campus, Logan, is a city of 54,000-plus people in a picturesque mountain valley 80 miles north of Salt Lake City. The Logan metro area claimed the top spot in the Milken Institute’s 2022 ranking for best-performing small cities in the nation. 

• updated 04/2024

Notice of Non-discrimination

In its programs and activities, including in admissions and employment, Utah State University does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination, including harassment, based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy, Title IX, or any other federal, state, or local law.

The following individuals have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the application of Title IX and its implementing regulations and/or USU’s non-discrimination policies:

Executive Director of the Office of Equity Matthew Pinner, [email protected], Distance Education Rm. 401, 435-797-1266

Title IX Coordinator Cody Carmichael, [email protected], Distance Education Rm. 404, 435-797-1266

Mailing address: 5100 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322

For further information regarding non-discrimination, please visit https://equity.usu.edu/, or contact:

U.S. Department of Education, Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 800-421-3481, [email protected]

• updated 09/2023

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