Lecturer in Communication Studies/Assistant Director of Speech and Debate - University of Florida

The William & Grace Dial Center for Speech and Communication Studies at the University of Florida, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, invites applications for the position of Communication Studies Lecturer, beginning August 16, 2025, to teach undergraduate courses and serve as the Assistant Director of Speech and Debate. The position is a full-time, nine-month, renewable, non-tenure-accruing appointment at the rank of Lecturer, with an opportunity for advancement in UF’s Lecturer/Instructional Professor track.

The successful candidate for this position will assist the Director of Speech and Debate in managing and coaching the speech and debate program including: coaching both the nationally competitive Speech and International Public Debate Association (IPDA) Debate team at UF; attending and contributing to weekly coaching staff and team meetings; judging; traveling to state, regional, and national tournaments; and administrating on-campus events. Additionally, the candidate will work with the Director of Speech & Debate to recruit, hire, and mentor graduate assistants. The candidate will be expected to teach a minimum of two undergraduate courses per semester in addition to their duties as Assistant Director of Speech & Debate, as staffing needs dictate, including foundational courses (e.g., Intro to Public Speaking; Intro to Interpersonal Communication. Introduction to Communication Studies) and other topics in the candidate’s area of specialty. Candidates with a background in Performance Studies, Argumentation, and/or Rhetoric and with previous experience coaching Individual Events (IE) and competitive debate are preferred.

Candidates will also be expected to contribute to the development of courses for the UF Quest Initiative; support the UF Beyond 120 Initiative; work with the Center’s student groups; provide outreach for the Center through connections/collaborations with other campus units and the local community; participate in Center activities; provide service to the university and the profession.

Applicants are encouraged to visit the unit’s website http://dialcenter.clas.ufl.edu to learn more about the Dial Center for Speech and Communication Studies.

UF is the state’s oldest, largest, and most comprehensive land grant university with an enrollment of over 50,000 students and was ranked 7^th in the country among public universities (US News and World Report 2024 rankings), and 1^st among public institutions in the Wall Street Journal 2023 survey. UF is located in Gainesville, a city of approximately 150,000 residents in North-Central Florida, 50 miles from the Gulf of Mexico, and 67 miles from the Atlantic Ocean, and within a 2-hour drive to large metropolitan areas (Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville). The beautiful climate and extensive nearby parks and recreational areas afford year-round outdoor activities, including hiking, biking, and nature photography. UF’s large college sports programs, museums, and performing arts center support a range of activities and cultural events for residents to enjoy. Alachua County schools are highly rated and offer a variety of programs including magnet schools and an international baccalaureate program. Learn more about what Gainesville has to offer at Visit Gainesville.

The salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience, and the compensation includes a full benefits package.

Employment Benefits include:

Health Insurance: UF participates in state- and university-sponsored benefits programs for individuals, families, and domestic partners, and offers voluntary insurance that includes vision, dental, long-term disability and more.

Retirement Options: Attractive options include Florida Retirement System Pension Plan, State University System Optional Retirement Program, Florida Retirement System Investment Plan, and Voluntary Retirement Savings Plan.

Leave: UF staff enjoy a generous paid leave plan as well as access to a sick-leave pool, parental leave, and leave payouts.

• Ph.D. in Communication Studies or a closely-related field (Ph.D. must be completed by August 15, 2025; M.A. (or other terminal degree) will be considered if other qualifications are outstanding. 
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• Administrative and coaching experience in a university speech and debate program
• Experience coaching students who have excelled in nationally recognized collegiate speech and debate organizations (American Forensic Association, National Forensic Association, International Public Debate Association, etc.)
• Experience teaching small, large, and online undergraduate classes
• Background in Performance Studies, Argumentation, and/or Rhetoric
• Demonstrated excellence in coaching competitive college-level speech and debate events
• Ability to work collaboratively with faculty and staff in the unit and across campus
• Ability to teach foundational courses in the Center (i.e. Intro to Public Speaking; Intro to Interpersonal Communication, Introduction to Communication Studies)
• A record of scholarly research and conference presentations

For full consideration, applications must be submitted online. Click on Apply Now at the top of this posting.

A complete application includes (1) a letter summarizing the applicant's qualifications, interests, and suitability for the position; (2) a statement of teaching philosophy; (3) a complete curriculum vitae; (4) recent course evaluations demonstrating excellence in teaching; and (5) the names and email addresses of three references must be provided. An email will be sent to your references, requesting them to upload their confidential letter to the submission packet.

Review of applications will begin on November 30, 2024 and will remain open until the position is filled. Only complete applications will be reviewed at this time. Applications received after this date may be considered at the discretion of the committee and/or hiring authority. You may send email inquiries about the position to Dr. Amy Martinelli, Chair of the Search Committee (acmart@ufl.edu), but please be aware that all materials must be submitted via the online application as outlined above.

The selected candidate will be required to provide an official transcript to the hiring department upon hire. A transcript will not be considered “official” if a designation of “Issued to Student” is visible. Degrees earned from an educational institution outside of the United States require evaluation by a professional credentialing service provider approved by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES), which can be found at http://www.naces.org/.

The University of Florida is an equal opportunity institution dedicated to building a broadly diverse and inclusive faculty and staff. Searches are conducted in accordance with Florida's Sunshine Law. If an accommodation due to disability is needed in order to apply for this position, please call (352) 392-2477 or the Florida Relay System at (800) 955-8771 (TDD).