Assistant Professor of Multimedia Journalism

Job Description

The Department of Journalism and Communication at Lehigh University invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position as Assistant Professor of Multimedia Journalism, with an emphasis on engaged approaches to journalism and underserved communities, effective July 2025. 

Candidates must have an earned PhD in journalism, mass communication or related fields by the date of employment, and they must have relevant, non-academic professional experience in journalism or a related field.

Lehigh University is committed to excellence in research and creative activity, and we seek a colleague whose scholarship and/or creative activity will substantively contribute to the department’s national and international profile. Successful candidates for tenure may pursue research or creative tracks, and applicants with traditional scholarly backgrounds and/or a significant professional profile in multimedia journalism are encouraged to apply. For applicants with a traditional scholarly profile, we welcome applications from any epistemic or methodological background whose past scholarly contributions and future research agenda complements the strengths of the department, which include: an increasing focus on the relationship between journalism and underrepresented communities; the role of journalism in global democratic society; and a focus on technological, professional, and ethical change in the field. Applicants with a professional focus must have a demonstrated record of publishing and disseminating high quality journalism or nonfiction storytelling in a range of venues. These can include breaking news and feature photography, documentary films or photo projects, investigative podcasts, multimedia journalism produced for online outlets, visually-centered social media journalism, or other emerging and experimental forms of journalism. 

Tenure track faculty generally teach two classes each semester (our curriculum is available here). The successful candidate will be expected to teach a range of undergraduate classes, with needs in Visual Communication, Multimedia Storytelling, and Community and Solutions Journalism. Applicants will also have the opportunity to teach elective offerings in their areas of expertise. We are a department that blends skills training and conceptual learning, and the successful candidate will have the ability to teach classes that meet existing department needs as well as future areas over the course of their career. 

The successful candidate also will be expected to engage in scholarly activities, participate in departmental, college, university, and professional service as well as contribute to the department, college, and university efforts relating to diversity, equity, and inclusion. 

The Department of Journalism & Communication has offered an undergraduate program of superior quality since 1927 and is dedicated to outstanding undergraduate education in journalism. We have eight-full time faculty and exist as one of the larger departments within the College of Arts & Sciences. Alumni are in the top ranks of American journalism. With major and minor programs in journalism, and mass communication, the department has about 100 majors and minors at any given time. More information can be found on our department website. 

Founded in 1865, Lehigh University has combined outstanding academic and learning opportunities with leadership in fostering innovative research. Recognized among the nation's highly ranked research universities, Lehigh offers a rigorous academic community for over 7,500 students. Lehigh University has some 5,800 undergraduates, 1,800 graduate students, and nearly 600 full-time faculty members. Lehigh University is located in Bethlehem, PA., a vibrant and historic area. Over 840,000 people live in the Lehigh Valley, which is in close proximity to New York City and Philadelphia.
Review of Applications will begin October 15 and will continue until the position is filled. For full consideration, applications should be received online by November 8. Applicants should submit their materials via Academic Jobs Online at the following link: https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/28316

Candidates should submit the following materials: 1) cover letter that summarizes their teaching, research, and service activities, 2) curriculum vitae, 3) scholarship statement that describes past scholarly contributions and future research directions that would enhance both the department and university’s research profile, 4) teaching statement that describes instructional philosophy, evidence of teaching effectiveness, evidence of teaching innovation, and vision for how teaching would both address department needs and create new opportunities, 5) a statement that addresses how the candidate would contribute to a diverse and inclusive environment in the college (a guide for understanding and preparing DEI statements is available here), and 6) three letters of reference will be requested before the Zoom interview should the candidate be selected for an interview.

Any inquiries regarding this search should be directed to Dr. Jeremy Littau, chair of the search committee at jjl409@lehigh.edu or department chair Brian Creech (brc623@lehigh.edu).

Lehigh University is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital or familial status, national or ethnic origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status. We are committed to increasing the diversity of the campus community. Lehigh University is committed to a culturally and intellectually diverse academic community and is especially interested in candidates who can contribute, through their research, teaching and/or service, to this mission. Lehigh University is the recipient of an NSF ADVANCE Institutional Transformation award for promoting the careers of women in academic sciences and engineering (click herefor more information) and is among institutions of higher education recognized for excellence in diversity with the INSIGHT into Diversity HEED Award. Additional information about Lehigh’s commitment to diversity and inclusion is available here. Lehigh University provides competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits, including domestic partner benefits. More information about Work/Life Balance for Faculty can be found here. Lehigh University supports dual career efforts for following spouses/partners of newly hired faculty and you can read more about that here.
 

Job Requirements

• Ph.D. in journalism, media studies, communication, or related field
• Relevant non-academic experience in professional journalism
• A research or creative agenda capable of receiving tenure at a research-focused university
• Ability to teach needed classes in Visual Journalism, Multimedia Journalist, and Community and Solutions Journalism
• Participation in departmental, college, university, and professional service as well as contribute to the department, college, and university efforts relating to diversity, equity, and inclusion. 
• Applicants should prepare a teaching statement, research statement, and a statement on contributions to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• A list of three professional references who will provide reccomendation letters at a later date.

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