University of South Carolina

Tenure-Track Associate or Full Professor in Artificial Intelligence (SJMC)

The College of Information and Communications at the University of South Carolina is seeking applicants for several faculty positions with a focus on artificial intelligence to bolster its commitment to advance education, scholarship and programmatic efforts related to emerging information technologies. Within the College, these positions will be housed across the School of Journalism and Mass Communications and the School of Information Science (iSchool).

The explosive growth of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming the way we communicate with audiences, consumers, publics, and other key stakeholders. Recognizing the transformative potential of AI to society and the significant impact on the practice of communication, the School of Journalism and Mass Communications at the University of South Carolina is seeking applicants for a full-time tenure track position at the rank of either Associate Professor or full Professor with a focus on artificial intelligence/communication to begin August 16, 2025.

This area has been identified as a high-impact, strategically relevant domain with significant potential to enhance the national and international reputation of the School and College. Candidates will have a robust research agenda around the application of digital technologies, particularly AI, in mass communication contexts—strategy, analysis, and/or content production. This includes but is not limited to the intersection mass communication with topics such as the following:

• Artificial intelligence
• Machine learning
• Biometrics
• Extended reality (VR/AR/MR)
• E-gaming and/or video games
• Data mining
• Web 3.0
• Computer vision
• User-facing bots
• Large language models
• Image and video generation
• Blockchain, ad verification, and/or smart contracts
• Software development
• Emerging content production tools and platforms

The School of Journalism and Mass Communications
The School of Journalism and Mass Communications currently enrolls approximately 1,700 undergraduates and 100 graduate students in journalism, advertising, public relations, visual communications, sports media and mass communications. The SJMC offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees in journalism and mass communication and a Ph.D. in mass communication. The faculty consists of a collegial group of researchers and educators with a wide range of backgrounds and interests. The school houses two professional video studios, a photography studio, and five Mac labs. We extensively use Adobe Premiere Pro and Photoshop in our classes. As part of our program, every student has a subscription to Adobe Creative Suite.

College of Information and Communications

The College of Information and Communications is home to two nationally recognized schools, the School of Journalism and Mass Communications and the School of Information Science. The college provides outstanding teaching, research, and community outreach. As such, it is one of only a few universities to combine its communications and information science programs, two rapidly evolving — and converging — fields united by a shared belief that information accessibility is the cornerstone of self-governance. The College has approximately 1,800 undergraduates, 500 graduate students, and more than 100 faculty and staff members. New assets available to faculty and students in both schools include The Social Media Insights Lab and the Biometric and User Experience Lab. Both are designed to facilitate the study of issues related to data, media, and their impact on society.

The University of South Carolina

The University of South Carolina in Columbia is the major research institution of the University of South Carolina system and its largest campus, enrolling approximately 35,000 students. The university offers over 320 degrees at the bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral and professional program levels. Founded in 1801, it is among America’s oldest and most comprehensive public universities and is one of only 32 public universities to earn the Carnegie Foundation’s top-tier designations in both research activity and community engagement. South Carolina’s capital city is currently undergoing several urban revitalization projects and offers residents a growing range of artistic, cultural, and recreational opportunities.

Required Education and Experience:

• PhD in a communication-related field plus relevant experience consistent with academic policy by the start date of employment (at least 5 years for Associate Professor rank or at least 9 years for full Professor rank).
• Evidence of scholarly activity in journals, university presses, or other publication outlets consistent with departmental expectations for applicable faculty rank.
• Potential to attract extramural funding related to the intersection of digital communication and innovative technologies strategy, analysis, and/or content production.
• Record of teaching effectiveness to include but not limited to sample syllabi, course evaluations, awards, or peer reviews of teaching.
• At least one stream of research with AI as its core.
• Potential or a well-established record for publishing digital communication strategy/analysis/content creation research that advances the department’s profile at the nexus of AI and mass communication.

Application Process

All applicants must complete an online application at USC Jobs at the following link: https://uscjobs.sc.edu/postings/174265. Applications are due by September 23, 2024. The position will remain open until filled.

Candidates should be prepared to upload the following documents:

1. Letter of application (includes a research statement demonstrating AI as a core area of emphasis)
2. Curriculum vitae
3. Two sample publications or pieces of scholarly work
4. List of three references (including name, phone number, and email)
5. Three letters of recommendation signed and on letterhead (only for candidates selected as finalists). While these letters are only required prior to interview, letters may be uploaded to USCJobs at the time of initial application.

For further information or questions about this position, please contact the Search Committee Chair, Dr. Kim Thompson at

EEO Statement

The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in educational or employment opportunities or decisions for qualified persons on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender (including transgender), gender identity or expression, genetic information, HIV/AIDs status, military status, national origin, pregnancy (false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, childbirth, recovery therefrom or related medical conditions, breastfeeding), race, religion (including religious dress and grooming practices), sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other bases under federal, state, local law, or regulations.