Research Associate Fixed Term

Job description

Position Summary
The School of Journalism at Michigan State University’s College of Communication Arts & Sciences (ComArtSci) seeks a postdoctoral research fellow to join its faculty, which is consistently ranked among the best in the world for scholarly productivity and teaching.

With a history spanning over a century, the School of Journalism has built a reputation for innovation, excellence, and adaptability in the ever-evolving media landscape.

The Dean’s Postdoctoral Fellowship Initiative aims to enhance the School by bringing in an emerging scholar whose research explores the future of journalism, media systems, and the evolving role of AI and technology in news production and distribution.

This program supports inclusive excellence by expanding perspectives and methodologies that address news credibility, misinformation, audience engagement, and journalism’s economic and technological transformation.

The Dean’s Postdoctoral Fellowship Initiative is designed to enhance our academic community by welcoming dynamic and innovative scholar-educators who upon successful completion of their postdoctoral research fellowship will matriculate to a tenure-track assistant professor position.

This two-year fellowship is subject to review after the first year and may begin as early as August 16, 2026.

Research Focus

The selected fellow will conduct research on the technological, social, and institutional affordances of journalism, including but not limited to:


+ Digital journalism and emerging media technologies

+ Computational journalism or AI applications in news

+ Economic models of journalism

+ Misinformation, news credibility, and audience engagement

+ Shifting economic models for news creation and distribution


Postdoctoral Fellowship Expectations


+ Prepare for a transition to a tenure-track faculty position within the School of Journalism at ComArtSci

+ Conduct and publish peer-reviewed research or creative works independently or in collaboration with faculty mentors.

+ Identify and work with faculty mentors across the academic unit.

+ In year 1, teach one course and/or engage in grant writing, outreach, and service activities.


About the School of Journalism

MSU's School of Journalism is a nationally accredited program that is ahead of the rest in its creativity and imagination.

Faculty encourage students to think outside the box and prepare them to step out of the classroom today and into a job tomorrow.

Our graduates are known as deep thinkers and motivated doers.

As a result, they are rising stars as professionals in industry and researchers in academia.

Appointment Terms & Compensation


+ Nine-month renewable academic year appointment with potential for summer teaching opportunities.

+ Salary comparable to a starting Assistant Professor in the department, plus benefits.

+ Research and professional funding (e.g., for travel, archives, transcription, student research assistants, etc.).

+ One-time relocation allowance.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.
Required Degree
Doctorate -PhD in Journalism, or a related discipline
Minimum Requirements
Eligible applicants must have earned a PhD in Journalism, or a related discipline from an accredited university before the start date.

The candidate will be evaluated relative to peers at a similar stage in their careers, based on record of high-impact publications in relevant academic outlets, including journals and conference proceedings; (although not required) record of excellence in instruction; and record of and commitment to inclusive excellence in research-creative activity, instruction, and service.
Desired Qualifications
Attainment of a Ph.D. between 2023 through Spring 2026.
Required Application Materials
Candidates must submit the following via MSU’s job portal:


+ Cover Letter (up to 5 pages) – Should include your career plans, research interests, and a list of up to three potential faculty mentors.

For each mentor, briefly explain how their expertise aligns with your background and professional goals.

See Special Instructions below for guidance on identifying eligible mentors.

+ Statement on Teaching Excellence (1-2 pages)- Describe how your work, background, or perspective would contribute to teaching excellence in the areas of research, teaching, and service.

+ Curriculum Vitae (CV) – Include a full list of publications with links where available.

+ References – Provide the names and contact information for three professional references.

Special Instructions
Candidates are encouraged to review the websites of the School of Journalism (https://comartsci.msu.edu/departments/school-journalism) and the Dean’s Postdoctoral Fellowship Program (https://comartsci.msu.edu/about/deans-office/deans-postdoctoral-fellowship-program) to identify eligible faculty mentors.

Applications must be submitted through careers.msu.edu.

For additional information or to request accommodation, please contact Dr. Lauren Gaines, Chair of the Search Committee, at gainesla@msu.edu with the subject line “ComArtSci Postdoc – Journalism.”

Review of Applications Begins On - December 1, 2025 – Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

As an institution of higher learning, Michigan State University is committed to providing a safe environment for its students, faculty, and staff in support of its educational mission.

With this commitment, the University conducts criminal background checks and professional misconduct reviews of all applicants for employment in faculty, academic staff, and executive management searches.



Professional Misconduct Review

A professional misconduct review is a prerequisite for a candidate to be selected for this position.

Applicants will be asked to disclose whether they are subject to any pending investigation, findings or sanctions related to professional misconduct.

Professional misconduct includes misconduct related to a person’s employment, including, but not limited to, theft, embezzlement, research integrity, discrimination, or harassment under civil rights laws and policies, including protected identity harassment, sexual harassment, sexual misconduct (sexual assault, sexual exploitation, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, etc.), and retaliation.

All applicants will be asked to sign an authorization and release, which authorizes the University to contact the candidate’s current and former employers, for a period of 7 years prior to the date of application, related to any pending investigations, findings of responsibility and/or sanctions related to professional misconduct.

Nothing will be sent to current or former employers unless the candidate reaches the semi-finalist stage.



The existence of professional misconduct history does not automatically exclude a candidate from employment.

The University will assess the information, including any information provided by the candidate, in determining whether the candidate is fit for the position.

The University may decline to hire a candidate based on the professional misconduct review.

All records obtained from external employers will be kept in a secure location, separate from personnel files.

If an applicant fails to sign the authorization and release, the application will be deemed incomplete and will be withdrawn.


Review of Applications Begins On
12/01/2025
Website
https://comartsci.msu.edu/departments/school-journalism
Department Statement
The School of Journalism at Michigan State University is more than a century old but has crafted a reputation for innovation and creativity.

Our ACEJMC-accredited
program has two undergraduate majors (Journalism and Digital Storytelling, each with multiple concentrations and minors), a masters program, and a shared doctoral
program.

More than 30 award-winning faculty serve nearly 500 undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students.

The J-School houses a state-of-the-art newsroom, the
Knight Center for Environmental Journalism and the new Center for Journalism Studies.
MSU Statement
Michigan State University has been advancing the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years.

One of the top research universities in the world, MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges.

Required Skill Profession

Other General