Assistant Professor, Tenure Track, Advertising and PR

Assistant Professor, Tenure Track, Advertising and PR

Join to apply for the Assistant Professor, Tenure Track, Advertising and PR role at The California State University

Position Rank and Title : Assistant Professor, Tenure Track, Advertising and PR

School / Department Name : School of Journalism and Mass Communications

Compensation : Commensurate with qualifications, experience, and rank as established by the CSU Salary Schedule. Anticipated hiring academic year annual salary range : $86,000 - $90,000.

Faculty employee benefits are very competitive for the higher education sector. See the CSU Employee Benefits Summary for details about the CSU’s excellent benefits package.

Target Start Date : August 17, 2026

Application Deadline : October 31, 2025 (Applications accepted until filled or closed)

Position Description

The School of Journalism and Mass Communications at San José State University is pleased to announce a search for a Tenure Track Assistant Professor in Advertising and PR beginning in August 2026. We are seeking a colleague who brings both professional expertise and scholarly insight in advertising with a focus on emerging technologies and AI. The ideal candidate will demonstrate a strong record (or clear potential) in teaching, research, and creative work at the intersection of advertising, technology, and society. We value industry experience, the ability to engage students with hands-on, project-based learning, and a commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion in the classroom and in professional practice. As part of our collaborative faculty community, the new hire will help prepare students to shape the future of media and advertising in Silicon Valley and beyond.

The School of Journalism and Mass Communications (JMC) offers leading programs in advertising, public relations, journalism, and mass communications—all rooted in Silicon Valley’s culture of innovation. As an Adobe Creative Campus, and with a new VR and Emerging Technologies Lab in development, JMC provides students and faculty with opportunities to explore possibilities in media, AI, and immersive storytelling. Our award-winning student media and the student-run DBH Agency highlight our hands-on, collaborative approach, while faculty actively lead research and practice in emerging technologies.

The School of Journalism and Mass Communications and San José State University value inclusive excellence and are committed to advancing equity through research, teaching, and service. We enroll nearly 40,000 students, many of whom are historically underserved; approximately 45% of our undergraduate students are first-generation college students and 38% are Pell Grant recipients. In addition, we are both a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) and an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPISI). SJSU aspires to create holistic learning environments that facilitate both individual and collective transformation. We seek teacher-scholars who cultivate inclusive, empowering spaces for mutual learning, skill-building, and knowledge exchange for all students. Our commitment to lifelong learning supports meaningful connections among faculty, staff, students, alumni, and the broader communities we serve.

We invite all applicants to include a Statement of Inclusive Excellence (or incorporate it into your cover letter) to share how your lived and professional experiences will contribute to the SJSU community—particularly in relation to student success and inclusive education. A guide to writing this statement can be found at SJSU Inclusive Excellence Statement Guidelines.

Required Qualifications

• MA or MFA in Advertising, Graphic / Communication Design or other related disciplines
• Applicants should demonstrate an awareness of and sensitivity to the educational goals of a socially and economically diverse student population as might have been gained in cross-cultural study, training, teaching, and other comparable experience.

Preferred Qualifications

Priority will be given to candidates who possess one or more of the following :

Key Responsibilities

Other Duties

Note that all San José State University employees are considered mandated reporters under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and are required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment. Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act) and CSU systemwide policy, some faculty duties may lead to designation as a Campus Security Authority (CSA). CSAs are required to complete Clery Act training and to immediately report Clery incidents to the institution.

Faculty employees must complete CSU employee training as assigned and required based on their role (e.g., Data Security, FERPA, Preventing Discrimination and Harassment, Title IX, Health and Safety). The President may recommend or require compliance with safety measures that decrease the likelihood of COVID-19 transmission or illness and allows the core mission and activities of the campus to continue.

Application Procedure

Click Apply Now To Complete The SJSU Online Employment Application And Attach The Following Documents ( Departments May Specify Length Of Items Below (e.g. 2 Pages) )

Conditional Offer

The work for this faculty position may only be performed in the State of California and requires establishing an on-campus presence. Employment is contingent upon US residence and proof of eligibility to work in the United States. Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check) is required for employment. SJSU will make a conditional offer of employment, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and / or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current employee who was conditionally offered the position.

San José State University : Silicon Valley's Public University

Located in the heart of Silicon Valley — one of the most innovative regions in the world — San José State University is the founding campus of the 23-campus California State University (CSU) system and the first public university in the West. Recognized as a leading transformative educational institution, San José State is an essential partner in the technological, economic, cultural, and social development of Silicon Valley, the Bay Area, and California. SJSU is a top-200 school nationally in research funding and second highest in research productivity in the CSU system. Cutting-edge research, world-class scholarship, student-centered learning, diverse communities, and commitment to social justice, allow SJSU to provide life-changing opportunities and advance the public good locally and globally.

Equal Employment Statement

San José State University prohibits discrimination on the basis of Age, Ancestry, Caste, Color, Disability, Ethnicity, Gender, Gender Expression, Gender Identity, Genetic Information, Marital Status, Medical Condition, Military Status, Nationality, Race, Religion, Religious Creed, Sex, Sexual Orientation, Sex Stereotype, and Veteran Status. This policy applies to all San José State University students, faculty, and staff as well as University programs and activities. Reasonable accommodations are made for applicants with disabilities who self-disclose.

Campus Security and Fire Safety Notification

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, the Annual Security Report (ASR) is available at the link provided in the original description. The ASR contains security and safety-related policy statements, emergency preparedness and evacuation information, crime prevention and Sexual Assault prevention information, and statistics for Clery crimes. A paper copy of the ASR is available upon request by contacting the Clery Director. The Annual Fire Safety Report (AFSR) is available at the provided link. The purpose is to disclose statistics for fires and to distribute safety policies. A paper copy is available upon request by contacting the Housing Office.

Application Summary

San José State University is an equal opportunity employer. Referrals increase your chances of interviewing. Get notified about new Assistant Professor jobs in San Jose, CA.

Note : Some lines in the original description contained postings for other positions and salary snippets that are not relevant to this specific job; those have been omitted to maintain a focused, job-specific posting.

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