About this Assistant Teaching Professor in Data Journalism role at Penn State University
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
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CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click “Apply” and complete the application process for external applicants.
Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.
This is a term position; length of the term will be discussed during the interview process. Continuation past the term length discussed will be based on university need, performance, and/or availability of funding.
POSITION SPECIFICS
The Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications seeks an outstanding faculty member for an Assistant Teaching Professor in Data Journalism position in the journalism department starting in August 2026.
We seek candidates with deep professional expertise in data journalism and a demonstrated record of data-driven reporting in professional newsroom settings. The ideal candidate brings hands-on experience exploring, cleaning, analyzing and documenting data — and translating that work into stories that inform and engage a public audience. Areas of teaching interest may include (but are not limited to): computational methods for investigative reporting; data analysis, statistical literacy and visualization for storytelling; working with large datasets, APIs and public records; data journalism workflows and systems in professional newsrooms; algorithmic accountability and transparency reporting; or related areas that advance the ethical and effective use of data in journalism.
Strong candidates will be fluent in tools common to data journalism practice — such as Python, R, or SQL for data analysis; and structured, well-documented code workflows. They will model a critical and constructive relationship with data, approaching datasets with skepticism rather than cynicism, and integrating data analysis with traditional people-reporting across diverse communities. We are especially interested in candidates who bring a track record of teaching data skills across skill levels — from introductory data literacy to advanced computational methods — and who have experience helping colleagues and students develop their own practice.
Candidates should have a Master's degree or higher in a relevant field by August 2026 and demonstrate significant professional experience as a data journalist, including reporting, editing, or leading data teams in a newsroom environment.
Our department's award-winning programs in sports journalism and news create an ideal environment for research and teaching at the intersection of data and journalism practice. In addition to teaching and research responsibilities, there are opportunities to collaborate with faculty and programs in the department and across the Bellisario Media Center, including the Curley Center for Sports Journalism, the News Lab and Centre County Report. We are especially interested in candidates who can contribute to building and strengthening the data journalism infrastructure of our student-run newsrooms and help shape how the next generation of journalists works with data responsibly and innovatively.
Applicants should submit a cover letter, CV and the names and contact information for three professional references. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until a qualified candidate is identified. Please direct any questions to committee chair Professor Maggie Messitt at [email protected]. For information on the college and its programs, see http://bellisario.psu.edu/.
BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES
Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.
BENEFITS
Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional wellbeing. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children.
For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page. (Note: For Postdoctoral benefits, please see our Postdoctoral Benefits page.)
CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS
Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.
EEO IS THE LAW
Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.
