The School of Social & Behavioral Sciences at Arizona State University (ASU) invites applications for a postdoctoral scholar position in the area of Critical Media Studies with an opportunity to transition to a tenure-track faculty position.

The School of Social & Behavioral Sciences, part of the New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences, has a strong tradition and history of interdisciplinary research and teaching at the cutting edge of critical media research and emerging areas of media and is the home of the Critical Media Studies Research Cluster. This working group brings together scholars from across ASU and various disciplines to collaborate on research, teaching, and activities that explore, identify, and question how media content and devices contribute to shaping social structures, processes, and relationships. The successful candidate will work under the primary mentorship of Dr. Deborah Hall, who is psychology faculty in the School of Social & Behavioral Sciences and a member of the Critical Media Studies Research Cluster.

Applications are invited from individuals who are interested in conducting research and teaching within the area of psychology, media studies, communication, or a related field. Thus, preference will be given to applicants with an active or developing research record and previous teaching experience in media-related courses. The successful candidate for this position will also have the opportunity to work closely with faculty in the Critical Media Studies Research Cluster.

The program seeks applicants whose professional preparedness and accomplishments are informed by experiences working with and within groups historically underrepresented in higher education in the United States. Preference will be given to applicants who demonstrate through prior actions and achievements, a demonstrable commitment to the principles of Inclusive Excellence that undergird ASU’s charter. Examples of such contributions are research or creative activity focused on empowering underserved populations; teaching, mentorship, and service that increases equitable access; and inclusion in fields where historically excluded populations are underrepresented.

The School of Social & Behavioral Sciences will implement an individualized mentorship and career development plan to ensure each fellow is well prepared to succeed in a future tenure-track appointment. Career development and community building will also occur through programmatic support at the ASU Graduate College’s Postdoctoral Affairs Office.

The mission of the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences (SSBS) aligns with the values of a metropolitan research university, rooted in the belief that human behavior, social institutions, and culture are best understood through interdisciplinary perspectives that integrate a variety of intellectual and methodological approaches. Our dedicated team of educators, scholars, and staff are committed to embodying the ASU Charter in every aspect of our work. https://newcollege.asu.edu/ssbs

About the New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences

At ASU’s New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences, we take pride in breaking down disciplinary barriers, cultivating an environment where innovative research flourishes. Our faculty are not just educators; they are trailblazers in their fields, consistently expanding the frontiers of knowledge. We invite you to join this dynamic community, where you will lead and engage in pioneering projects that redefine academic excellence.

Our interdisciplinary approach offers you unparalleled opportunities for personal and professional growth. By joining our faculty, you’re not just advancing your career; you’re shaping the future of education and research in meaningful ways. You’ll be empowered to innovate and address complex global challenges, all while preparing the next generation of leaders. We are committed to supporting and guiding you throughout your academic journey, ensuring that your contributions are impactful and transformative. For more information visit us at https://newcollege.asu.edu/.

New College is located on ASU’s West Valley campus, blending a liberal arts education with 21st-century workforce preparation and a learning hub for students of all ages and backgrounds supporting the rapid growth of its surrounding 14 communities. Integrating modern amenities with the natural beauty of outdoor spaces, the West Valley campus offers over 125 undergraduate and graduate degree programs across business, engineering, education, and the New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences.

About Arizona State University

Arizona State University, ranked the No. 1 “Most Innovative School” in the nation by U.S. News & World Report for ten years in succession, has forged the model for a New American University. Year after year, ASU ranks at or near the top of the list in areas that matter. ASU is a comprehensive public research institution, measured not by whom it excludes, but by whom it includes and how they succeed; advancing research and discovery of public value; and assuming fundamental responsibility for the economic, social, cultural and overall health of the communities it serves. ASU operates on the principles that learning is a personal and original journey for each student; that they thrive on experience and that the process of discovery cannot be bound by traditional academic disciplines. Through innovation and a commitment to accessibility, ASU has drawn pioneering researchers to its faculty even as it expands opportunities for qualified students, attracting some of the highest- quality students from all 50 states and more than 130 nations. To learn more about ASU, visit http://www.asu.edu.

All we do at ASU is guided and inspired by the ASU Charter, which reads:

ASU is a comprehensive public research university, measured not by whom it excludes, but by whom it includes and how they succeed; advancing research and discovery of public value; and assuming fundamental responsibility for the economic, social, cultural and overall health of the communities it serves.

Successful candidates will demonstrate throughout their materials how their teaching and research will contribute to the fulfillment of this charter.

Essential Functions of the Position

• Pursue scholarly activities (writing scientific papers and grant proposals, presenting at conferences)
• Contribute to scholarly activities of faculty mentor and researchers within the Critical Media Studies cluster
• Conduct data analysis and oversee data management
• Perform study coordination, project management, and supervision of other research staff
• Provide in-person and online undergraduate and graduate instruction in relevant field
• Teach one course each semester
• Support the ideals of inclusive excellence in the College
• Other duties as assigned

Successful candidates will be effective communicators who engage in productive scholarship and may be asked to perform duties common to academic personnel including grant writing, mentoring students, and participating in faculty meetings.

Minimum Qualifications

• Ph.D. in psychology, media studies, communication, or a related field
• The candidate must be within five years from receipt of the doctoral degree

Desired Qualifications

• Higher ed teaching experience
• Evidence of scholarly achievement
• Experience teaching a multicultural population of students
• Background/interests in critical media studies, media psychology, or a related area
• Training and experience with quantitative research methods
• Evidence of independent scholarship and team collaboration, strong interpersonal communication skills, and outstanding academic writing skills
• Prior first-author publication experience at peer-reviewed journals
• Experience in lab management and data collection management
• Demonstrated commitment to working successfully with students from a wide variety of socio-economic and cultural backgrounds, including first-generation college students

This position is located at Arizona State University’s West Valley campus. All postdoctoral fellowship positions are for one year. Options for an additional year of funding or a transition to a tenure-track position may be offered, depending on each fellow’s progress and training needs. Because of the potential for the postdoctoral fellow to transition into a tenure-track appointment, candidates applying for this fellowship must undergo an interview process that requires a research presentation, a review of their teaching portfolio, and individual meetings with faculty, unit leadership, and college administrators.

The initial application deadline is December 22, 2024, at 11:59 p.m., Eastern Standard Time. Applications will continue to be accepted on a rolling basis for a reserve pool. Applications in the reserve pool may then be reviewed in the order in which they were received until the position is filled or closed. A background check and official transcripts are required prior to employment. For assistance with your application or position-related questions, please contact tracy.lowder@asu.edu.

Only electronic submissions via Interfolio will be reviewed. All required materials must be submitted at the time of initial application. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Applications must contain:

• A cover letter describing how the candidate meets the required and desired qualifications listed above
• A curriculum vitae with contact information, including telephone number and e-mail address
• A statement addressing how the candidate’s professional portfolio will advance ASU’s Charter
• Contact information for three professional references (their position, title, e-mail, phone number), one reference must be from your current employer or academic supervisor

ASU conducts pre-employment screening for all positions which includes a criminal background check, verification of work history, academic credentials, licenses, and certifications. Employment is contingent upon the successful passing of the background check.