Description
About the Department:
The Department of Communication, housed within the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at George Mason University, invites applications for the position of Postdoctoral Teaching Fellow in Health and Risk Communication.
George Mason University’s Department of Communication, within the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHSS) has a diverse and collegial faculty committed to excellence, innovation, community and public service, and fostering a supportive and welcoming environment for all. All department faculty participate in the life of our campus community, including career fairs, faculty functions, recruiting sessions, and other events. Located just 15 miles from Washington, D.C., we offer a broad undergraduate program, five minor programs, a vibrant MA program including strategic, health, and science communication specialties, and a highly ranked PhD program emphasizing health, science/environment/risk, and strategic communication. The Department also offers a graduate certificate in science communication. We serve a diverse population of undergraduate and graduate students who bring a wide variety of cultures and backgrounds to our classrooms. Additionally, the department supports several co-curricular activities, including debate, forensics, Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA), Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ), and a comprehensive student media program. The research life of the department includes both undergraduate and graduate research, and is reflected in the activities and outreach of its faculty, including those of the Center for Climate Change Communication, the Communication, Health, and Relational Media (CHARM) research lab, the Center for Health and Risk Communication, the Character Assassination and Reputation Politics (CARP) research lab, and the Pop Culture Lab. Finally, the Department hosts the biennial DC Health Communication Conference, as well as the annual meeting of the 4C Medical Society Consortium.
For more information about the Department of Communication, visit: https://communication.gmu.edu/.
Mason Ad Statement
Mason is currently the largest and most diverse university in Virginia with students and faculty from all 50 states and over 135 countries studying in over 200 degree programs at campuses in Arlington, Fairfax and Prince William, as well as at learning locations across the commonwealth. Rooted in Mason’s diversity is a campus culture that is both rewarding and exciting, work that is meaningful, and opportunities to both collaborate and create.
If you are interested in joining the Mason family take a look at our current opportunities and catch some Mason spirit at jobs.gmu.edu/!
George Mason University, Where Innovation is Tradition.
Equity Statement
George Mason University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, committed to promoting inclusion and equity in its community. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any characteristic protected by law.
Campus Safety Information
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About the CHSS Postdoctoral Fellowship Program:
The Postdoctoral Fellowship Program (PFP) provides enhanced professional development and research/teaching training support to postdoctoral researchers and teaching fellows. The learner-centered program offers training, mentoring, and guidance to prepare postdoctoral fellows for careers in and beyond the academy. The Department of Communication will provide research and teaching mentors from our faculty. The fellow will also be provided with a professional development mentor from outside the department. The fellow will have the opportunity to collaborate with department faculty and students on research.
George Mason University is now the most diverse public university in the Commonwealth of Virginia and is classified as an R1 University (very high research activity) according to the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. We seek a fellow to support the research activity of our faculty and the curricula of our academic programs.
About the Position:
Postdoctoral researchers and teaching fellows receive the benefits of employment which are ordinarily provided to 12-month term faculty members, including annual leave and sick leave accrued at the same rate as is accrued by 12-month term faculty members. However, postdoctoral researchers and teaching fellows are not faculty members and are not governed by the GMU Faculty Handbook.
Appointments are generally made in one-year renewable terms, up to a maximum of three years.
Postdoctoral researchers and teaching fellows are subject to all University policies applicable to all employees, including, but not limited to, Policy 4001, Conflicts of Interest.
Responsibilities:
Teach 2 courses per semester, determined by department need and candidate expertise;
Continue research and teaching-related professional development in their specialty area under the supervision of a senior faculty member (“Faculty Mentor”);
Participate in the Postdoctoral Research and Teaching Fellows Workshop Series;
Conduct research, scholarship, and creative activities;
Submit the results of their research for publication; and
Write and submit grant proposals as appropriate.
Requirements
Required Qualifications:
PhD or equivalent terminal degree in Communication or related field, received within the last 5 years;
Ability to teach graduate and/or undergraduate courses in health and risk communication and other areas of applicant expertise based on department need;
Expertise in one or more research methods (e.g., qualitative, quantitative, critical, etc.); and
Knowledge in at least one research method.
Preferred Qualifications:
At least 1 year of teaching experience in health and risk communication at the undergraduate and/or graduate level;
Expertise in critical research methods and related areas;
Research areas that connect to/complement department research areas generally and the Center for Climate Change Communication specifically;
Knowledge of climate change communication and interdisciplinary collaboration; and
Knowledge of critical research methods.
Instructions to Applicants:
For full consideration, applicants must apply for the Postdoctoral Teaching Fellow in Health and Risk Communication at https://jobs.gmu.edu/. Complete and submit the online application to include three professional references with contact information, and provide a cover letter, curriculum vitae, and any available/applicable teaching evaluations.
The anticipated start date for the position is January 10, 2026.
The application deadline for full consideration will be August 29, 2025. Review of applications will begin thereafter, and continue until the position is filled.
Position-specific questions can be directed to the Search Chair, Dr. Chris Clarke ([email protected]).
Posting Open Date: August 8, 2025
For Full Consideration, Apply by: August 29, 2025
Open Until Filled: Yes
