Tenure-Track Assistant Professor, Sports Media

Tenure-Track Assistant Professor, Sports Media

Department of Journalism

The Department of Journalism in the College of Media at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign invites applicants for a full-time (100% FTE) tenure-track assistant professor position. We seek a scholar whose research examines sports and media in a rapidly evolving media landscape. The expected start date is August 16, 2027. Successful applicants should demonstrate a promising record of scholarship and an eagerness to contribute to the department’s research, teaching, service, and public engagement missions.

The search is part of a College of Media cluster hiring initiative with each academic department- Advertising, Journalism, and Media & Cinema Studies- conducting independent searches for assistant professors whose scholarship and teaching align with the priorities of their respective departments. These hires will build on our strengths and expand our expertise in sports journalism. Ideal candidates for the Journalism position will have research and teaching interests in areas such as:

• The economics, labor, and business of sports journalism and media.
• Emerging technologies, platforms, and audiences for sports journalism and media.
• Representation and identity in sports journalism.
• The intersection of sports, media, and social and political movements.
• Sports journalism history, law, and ethics.
• Esports and the evolving practices of digital journalism.

Teaching responsibilities will include courses in the department’s existing undergraduate and graduate curricula, including our new B.A. in Sports Media, with the potential to develop new electives. Journalism faculty also actively contribute to the College of Media’s interdisciplinary doctoral program in the Institute of Communications Research (ICR).

Applicants should have a Ph.D. in hand by August 16, 2027, in a relevant field, including but not limited to journalism, communication, sociology, and information sciences. Professional journalism experience is a plus.

The Department of Journalism is widely recognized for its leadership in advancing innovative, research-driven journalism education. The curriculum combines a strong foundation in media ethics, law, history, and public affairs reporting with cutting-edge work in digital storytelling, data journalism, and emerging media technologies. Faculty are distinguished scholars and practitioners whose work shapes national and global conversations about press freedom, media literacy, and the evolving role of journalism in a democratic society. The department boasts a state-of-the-art broadcast facility and includes the Richard and Leslie Frank Center for Leadership and Innovation in Media (established in 2020). The Frank Center develops students to become leaders in their professions by offering access to a diverse group of experts and practitioners through a speaker series, and by supporting outside learning opportunities such as professional immersion experiences, conference participation, and internships.

Appointment Information

This is a 100% full-time Academic position, appointed on a 9/12-month basis. The expected start date is August 16, 2027. The salary range for this position is $80,000-$90,000. Salary will be competitive and commensurate with the candidate’s qualifications, rank, and experience while considering internal equity. This position is eligible for sponsorship for work authorization, except for sponsorship of a new H1B petition that would incur the $100,000 fee.

Application Procedures & Deadline Information

Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (Central Time) on September 15, 2026. Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting and upload a cover letter, CV, writing sample of no more than 50 pages (dissertation chapter, conference paper, book chapter, article) that best illustrates research agenda and contributions, and the name and contact information for three academic references who will provide letters of recommendation. Applications not submitted through https://jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered. Full consideration will be given to applications received by September 15, 2026. Applicants may be interviewed before the closing date; however, no hiring decision will be made until after that date. The review will continue until the position has been filled.For further information about this specific position, please contact Jeffrey Magee at jmag@illinois.edu.

For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.

Founded in 1867 as Illinois’s flagship public university, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign empowers a global community of students, scholars, and alumni to change the world through bold, innovative research and transformative education. With a land-grant heritage rooted in progress, Illinois faculty drive paradigm-shifting discoveries, mentor future leaders, and collaborate across 15 colleges and instructional units and more than 20 research institutes. The university’s legacy of excellence includes 24 Nobel Prizes and 29 Pulitzer Prizes awarded to its faculty and alumni, $755 million in sponsored research funding, and 94 academic programs ranked in the top 20 nationally. Illinois offers the resources, recognition, and reach to accelerate your career — along with a highly competitive benefits portfolio. Discover how the Illinois Value Proposition fosters professional longevity, personal fulfillment, and a deep sense of purpose in every role.

Faculty Recruitment

Champaign-Urbana

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position; however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.

This position is intended to be eligible for benefits . This includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify .

Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodation portal , or by contacting the Office for Access & Equity at 217-333-0885, option #1, or accessibility@illinois.edu .

Requisition ID : 1036988

Job Category : Faculty

Apply at: https://jobs.illinois.edu