Boston University is hiring: Associate Professor of the Practice – Media Science

The Department of Mass Communication, Advertising and Public Relations at Boston University seeks to hire a forward-thinking and collaborative graphic design educator to teach courses that prepare non-graphic design majors for careers involving design, application development, and technology expertise for the communication industry and related fields. This is a full-time faculty position beginning in September of 2025. The ideal candidate is an accomplished professional with at least 10 years of experience in graphic design, including experience with user interface design and related software for all media, and the ability and drive to help students be successful in a rapidly changing industry.

Teaching assignments will include three courses for both the spring and fall semesters, in one or more of the following courses: Design Strategy and Software, Design Strategy and Software II, Design and Interactive Experiences, and/or Media Expression and Communication. Candidates should be current on industry and professional advances and be prepared to update courses and curriculum accordingly. In addition to teaching, this role will include mentoring students to achieve their educational and professional goals, and conducting service for the College of Communication and Boston University through participation in various committees.

Our university community welcomes differences, encourages open-minded exploration, and upholds freedom of expression.

Established in 1947, the College of Communication (COM) at Boston University has three departments: Mass Communication, Advertising and Public Relations; Journalism, and Film and Television. COMs student population exceeds 2,200 in its B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. programs. COM integrates a strong liberal arts core with a focus on preparing students for careers as communications professionals. The faculty represents a blend of scholars and distinguished practitioners. BU enjoys an international reputation and is a major R1 and AAU institution. Located in the hub of education and a major media market, Boston Universitys College of Communication offers prospective faculty members a wealth of opportunities for collaborative efforts in academic professional spheres.

Required Skills

The ideal candidate will have an MFA in Graphic Design, a Masters in a related field, or a BFA with relevant experience; professional experience using Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, HTML, CSS, Figma; the ability to teach these programs to students with little experience in them; the ability to respond to advances in the communications industry and incorporate these into our forward-thinking, industry-relevant curriculum; the ability to foster collaboration; possess excellent written and verbal communication skills; demonstrate continued engagement in professional or creative work in graphic design or related field or design competitions, exhibitions, and publications; experience creating diverse, equitable, and inclusive learning environments. Experience in data visualization, digital product design, and/or Python (and related software) is a plus.

DO NOT APPLY THROUGH THE BOSTON UNIVERSITY HR WEBSITE.

Interested applicants should provide a curriculum vitae, letter of interest specifying their interest in teaching creative courses, a link to their portfolio, the names, professional titles, and email addresses of three professional references, and if applicable, a link to a portfolio of student work they have overseen.

Review of applicants will begin October 1, 2024, and will continue until the position is filled. Applicants may be sent via surface mail or, preferably by email (as a PDF document) to:

Laura Cafasso

mcadvpr@bu.edu

Administrator

Department of Mass Communication, Advertising and Public Relations

College of Communication

Boston University

640 Commonwealth Avenue

Boston, MA 02215

BU conducts a background check on all final candidates for certain faculty and staff positions. The background check includes contacting the final candidates current and previous employer(s) to ask whether, in the last seven years, there has been a substantiated finding of misconduct violating that employers applicable sexual misconduct policies. To implement this process, the University requires a final candidate to complete and sign the form entitled Authorization to Release Information after execution of an offer letter.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, natural or protective hairstyle, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military service, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, or because of marital, parental, or veteran status. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor .

Required Experience