The Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism at the University of Southern California invites applications for an open-rank Clinical Faculty / Faculty of Professional Practice position specializing in data analytics and data science, to teach in its robust group of professionally oriented master's programs, including Communication Management, Communication Data Science, Digital Social Media, as well as other master's and undergraduate programs.

The programs teach primarily in the on-campus modality and prepare graduates to work in leadership roles in communication and media functions and fields. The School offers a wide array of courses taught by world-renowned scholars and expert industry practitioners in marketing communication, organizational and strategic communication, and in media, entertainment, games and creator industries. As these fields become increasingly data and analytics driven, this position offers an opportunity to strengthen the program's research and analytics focus.

Candidates from industry or academe are welcome to apply. Industry candidates may be professionals or executives with experience in communication industries and major media, entertainment, games, creator and/or advertising firms. They have built and led research and analytics teams, establishing metrics for the enterprise's data discipline. They excel at collaborating with senior management and/or different functions and groups to leverage analytic insights for strategic impact and operational outcomes. They bring to bear storytelling skills in narratives with data, and effectively engage diverse stakeholders.

Candidates from academe will have graduate or terminal degrees, and may be university instructors teaching quantitatively-oriented marketing, advertising or audience-oriented content analytics, social media listening and related courses. They may have also served as consultants for communication, media, entertainment, or creator firms tackling research and analytics problems. Candidates with active industry-related research are particularly welcome.

The ideal candidate should have direct experience working with large-scale datasets and associated programming languages and software, or have a strong record of working with such technically-oriented professionals.

Given the position's teaching emphasis, the successful candidate should have a record of and commitment to teaching or mentoring.

Working with the current program directors, the faculty member will:

• Draw from their experience in the field, teach and advance our curriculum in research and analytics pertaining to our professional practice areas, particularly related to communication industries, such as advertising, marketing communication, or media, entertainment, games, and creator and other sectors.
  
• Demonstrate continuing professional and/or academic engagement with the analytics field as well strong relationships with industry sectors.
  
• Advocate for our program in recruiting new students and faculty, while also forging career connections and mentoring existing students and alumni.
  
• Demonstrate commitment to the increasing needs for diversity and equity in their profession. This excellence should encompass dedication to recruiting diverse voices and advocating for social justice, equal opportunity, and equitable representation.

Those applying to the position should hold a Master's or Ph.D. in Statistics, Data Science, Analytics, Communication, Business, or related fields. This is designated as a Clinical faculty position, eligible for renewals and promotions.It is not a tenure-track position.

About the Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism

The USC Annenberg School was established in 1971 with a gift from US Ambassador Walter Annenberg. It has grown over time to include programs in both Journalism and Communication, and now houses several important centers and initiatives (). The School has a long history of collaborating with other academic units and with off-campus agencies. Noteworthy are our ties not only to other social sciences and neuroscience, but to the entertainment industry (e.g., via the Norman Lear Center), and to Technology and Games programs in Cinema and Engineering and the Medical School. Interdisciplinary work is highly valued and expected. The School recently expanded to include a second, modern 85,000-square-foot building providing more space for public events, student work groups, and student-faculty meetings. The School has a combined undergraduate and graduate enrollment of 2,200.

The Annenberg School is committed to fostering a culture and climate of tolerance, diversity and inclusion, as is evident in the Schools' various centers and initiatives (). Consequently, all qualified applicants are encouraged to apply in accordance with the University's mission to ensure equal opportunity (see below).

Applicants

To be considered for this position, all candidates must apply via the USC Employee Recruitment Services website. Submission materials should include a cover letter, curriculum vitae, syllabi and/or curriculum design, and names of three references. The cover letter should be addressed to School of Communication Faculty Search, Attention: Dr. Ben Lee, Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, University of Southern California, 3502 Watt Way, Suite 305, Los Angeles, CA 90089-0281. Applicants may direct questions to Billie Shotlow at or at (213) 821-2718 regarding the search process. Materials submitted by regular mail will not be accepted.

The annual base salary range for this position is $93,000-$162,000 depending on expertise and experience. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organization considerations.

Review of applications will commence on January 8, 2024, and continue until the position is filled or the search closed. Questions or concerns about the position can be directed to the search committee chair, Dr. Ben Lee, co-Director of the Master of Communication Management program, at .

USC is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or USC policy. USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the ordinance.