Lecturer/Assistant Teaching Professor and Director of Forensics

The Department of Communication Studies (https://communication.charlotte.edu/) has 53 full-time faculty with areas of emphasis in health communication; organizational communication; public relations; media and technology studies; rhetoric, culture, and social change; and writing, rhetoric and digital studies. The department serves approximately 870 Communication Studies majors and minors and 25 Master's students. The department's primary mission is to provide high quality instruction to its undergraduate and graduate students and to contribute significantly to the understanding of communication issues as they affect people's lives, especially in the Charlotte metropolitan region. Through its teaching, scholarship and service the department is committed to serving diverse populations.

The Department of Communication Studies is part of the College of Humanities & Social Sciences ( CHESS). As the largest and most academically diverse college at UNC Charlotte, CHESS houses 14 departments, 13 interdisciplinary programs, and 7 applied centers. We offer a wide range of undergraduate and graduate degree programs with extensive honors and early-entry options. The College plays a pivotal role in delivering on the university's goals in the areas of research excellence, student success and experience, and community engagement. Through their scholarship and teaching, the College's 350+ faculty members seek to deepen our understanding of complex problems and lead the university in interdisciplinary collaboration.

The University of North Carolina at Charlotte (https://www.charlotte.edu/) is a doctoral, research-intensive urban university, located on an expanding modern campus. UNC Charlotte is an R-1 university, and the only research university in North Carolina's largest metropolitan area. As the second-largest institution in the UNC System, we transform lives, communities, and industries through accessible and affordable education, offering exemplary bachelor's, master's, doctoral, and professional programs. Our commitment to scholarship, innovation, and service drives our contributions to the ever-evolving needs of society. Through strategic partnerships and a focus on real-world applications, we prepare our graduates to excel in their careers and lead with purpose and integrity in a rapidly changing world.

The University of North Carolina at Charlotte recognizes the differentiation of mission, goals, and objectives inherent in the diversity of disciplines represented by its colleges and departments. Thus, the Job Responsibilities and Essential Functions for Non-Tenure Track Faculty should be interpreted in the context of the related departmental and collegiate teaching goals.

Teaching - Faculty responsibilities and essential functions with respect to teaching may include but are not limited to: subject matter competence, course design, course presentation, and grading student work.

If conducting or supporting research is an element of the work required in this position, then the following statement is applicable: This position is subject to research-security screening. As part of the application, applicants must disclose, either in their CV or in a separate document submitted with the application, all current appointments or affiliations with foreign institutions or organizations, foreign research support, and ongoing research collaborations with foreign institutions, organizations, or their personnel. Before candidates advance to an on-campus interview, the university will review this information and other publicly available information for relationships involving institutions on the current Section 1286 list and any other applicable U.S. restricted-party lists. A disclosed or identified relationship does not automatically disqualify a candidate. As a condition of employment, a selected candidate must resolve any relationship the university determines would violate applicable law or sponsor requirements or materially impair the candidate's or the university's eligibility for federal funding.

The duties of the Director of Forensics include, but are not limited to:

Along with:

The candidate will be expected to teach a minimum of three undergraduate courses per semester in addition to their duties as Director of Forensics, as staffing needs dictate, including foundational courses (e.g., Introduction to Public Speaking; Introduction to Interpersonal Communication; Introduction to Communication Studies) and other topics in the candidate's area of specialty. Successful candidates will teach undergraduate students in the Department of Communication Studies and, depending on interest and qualifications, may teach Master's students in the department's graduate program.

UNC Charlotte gives primary consideration to the earned masters and/or terminal degree in the teaching discipline or a related discipline.

Required Qualifications: Required qualifications include an M.A. or Ph.D. in Communication Studies or a related area.

Preferred Qualifications: We welcome applications from candidates with interests in any of the concentration areas in the department: health communication; organizational communication; media and technology studies; rhetoric, culture, and social change; and/or public relations. Candidates with a background in performance studies, argumentation, and/or rhetoric and who have previous experience coaching Individual events are preferred.

The Department of Communications Studies at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte invited applications for a Director of Forensics and a Lecturer/Assistant Teaching Professor rank, 9-month teaching-track position beginning August 16, 2027. Finalists will be asked to discuss how their teaching practices engage, include, and eliminate barriers to learning for UNC Charlotte students, and how their educational approach helps increase the engagement and success of all students regardless of their entry pathway into the university.

The review of applications will begin October 30, 2026 and will continue until the position is filled. Applicants must apply electronically at https://jobs.charlotte.edu/, position #005250. Please upload a cover letter responding to the qualifications listed above, a current CV, and contact information for three references. Contact Dr. Nance Riffe (nriffe@charlotte.edu, Search Committee Chair) or Dr. Erin Basinger (ebasinge@charlotte.edu, Chair of the Department of Communication Studies) with questions.
The candidate chosen for this position will be subject to Criminal Background Check. The candidate selected for this position will be required to submit their official transcripts of their highest earned degree upon hire. For all open-rank positions, rank is dependent on education and experience.
The University of North Carolina at Charlotte is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, veteran status, or any other protected status. In keeping with this commitment, UNC Charlotte ensures that persons of any background are invited, included, and treated equally in the terms and conditions of employment.

Contact Dr. Nance Riffe (nriffe@charlotte.edu, Search Committee Chair) or Dr. Erin Basinger ebasinge@charlotte.edu, Chair of the Department of Communication Studies) with questions.