| University of North Texas

Shape the Future of Technical Communication

Are you passionate about empowering the next generation of technical communicators? Do you have expertise in cutting-edge areas like AI, health communication, or localization? The Department of Technical Communication at the University of North Texas is seeking a dynamic assistant professor to join our futurist team for Fall 2025.

Apply Now!

or visit the UNT System's HR website and search for Posting No. 509741

Why UNT Tech Comm?

Unique Position: We're one of the few independent tech comm departments in the nation and the only one in Texas based within a major metroplex.
Industry-Focused: Our motto, Write. Design. Code. Get Paid, reflects our commitment to student success and career preparation.
Diverse Programs: We offer a BA in Content Strategy, BS in Technical Communication, MA in Professional and Technical Communication, and various certificates.
Inclusive Environment: Our highly diverse campus welcomes faculty from all backgrounds and values multilingual skills.
Distinguished Faculty: Our department boasts 6 tenure-system faculty members and 4 full-time lecturers, many of whom are award-winning teachers and scholars with diverse research interests.
State-of-the-Art Facilities: Our faculty teach in cutting-edge classroom labs owned and operated by tech comm staff.
Community Engagement: Our TACO Research Lab builds partnerships with local schools and businesses, increasing awareness of technical communication.

Our Innovative Degree Programs

BA in Content Strategy

This program prepares students for roles as content strategists, digital content managers, UX writers, and audience engagement specialists. Students gain expertise in:

Audience analysis
Digital content creation
Platform optimization
Data-driven content decisions

Graduates typically work in digital marketing agencies, tech startups, e-commerce platforms, and media publishing houses.

BS in Technical Communication

This program prepares students for entry-level positions as technical writers/editors, content developers, or usability professionals. Students develop skills in:

Technical writing and editing
Content strategy
AI tools in technical communication
User-centered design and usability testing

Graduates often work on teams creating user guides, web content, and proposals in IT, consulting, and healthcare industries.

"I work in digital marketing, and it's amazing how many TECM skills come in handy every day." - Former TECM 2700 student

MA in Professional and Technical Communication

Our 100% online MA program boasts a 100% placement rate, preparing students for advanced positions in the field. Key features include:

Core courses in principles of technical communication, digital literacies, editing, and document design
Specialized topics courses in grants and proposals, professional writing, and usability
Practicum or thesis options
Elective courses for customized learning

Graduates excel in creating user guides, web content, and proposals in IT, consulting, and healthcare industries.

"I felt so strongly I could do more with my life. That I could be more. That I deserved more. And UNT's MAPTC has made that possible."

Certificates and Minors

We offer a range of certificates and minors to complement our degree programs:

Undergraduate Certificates

AI and Professional Settings
Writing in the Sciences
Digital Media Studies
Technical Communication

Undergraduate Minors

Content Strategy
Technical Communication

Graduate Certificates

These programs allow students to specialize in specific areas of technical communication, enhancing their skills and marketability.

Meet Our Distinguished Tenure-System Faculty

Our department is home to accomplished scholars and educators who are pushing the boundaries of tech comm:

Ryan Boettger (Chair): Specializes in curriculum development, content analysis, and STEM education. Co-creator of The Technical Writing Project, a linguistic corpus funded by the National Science Foundation.
Kim Sydow Campbell: Expert in linguistic style/tone and its effects in the workplace. Recipient of the Jay R. Gould Award for Excellence in Teaching and the Kitty O. Locker Outstanding Researcher Award.
Samantha Cosgrove: Focuses on risk communication, user experience, and tech comm pedagogy. Brings expertise in visual communication and instructional design.
Erin Friess: Researches Scrum and agile project management, usability/user-centered design, and the tech comm discipline. Multiple award-winning researcher.
Chris Lam: Specializes in communication in team projects and professionalization of tech comm. Expert in statistical methods and experimental design.
Jiaxin Zhang: Researches user experience (UX) and usability, content strategy, digital rhetoric, and risk communication.

Our tenure-system faculty is complemented by four full-time lecturers who bring valuable industry experience and teaching expertise to our programs.

State-of-the-Art Facilities

Our department is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities to support our students and faculty, including the TECM Tech Lab and the Tech Comm and Community Outreach (TACO) Research Lab:

TECM Tech Lab

The TECM Tech Lab supports all students taking TECM classes in our state-of-the-art classroom labs.

Specialty instructional lab supporting UNT tech comm instructors and students
Equipped with technology and software necessary for tech comm coursework
Staffed by Lab Assistants specially trained to help students learn software tools and skills for producing technical and business documents

Tech Comm and Community Outreach (TACO) Research Lab

The TACO Research Lab aims to increase awareness of tech comm in our academic community, North Texas community, and industry. Key features include:

Implementing field-based interventions
Developing pedagogical experiments to identify best practices
Fostering community and corporate partnerships
Providing support for high school teachers and students
Collaborating with businesses and industry partners

The TACO Lab offers opportunities for:

High school teachers: We demonstrate tech comm skills in virtual and face-to-face classrooms, with lessons tied to Texas TEKS.
High school students: We showcase how tech comm skills can be leveraged for real-world and academic communication.
Businesses and community partners: We assist with tech-comm-based obstacles and facilitate knowledge sharing with UNT students.

Your Impact as an Assistant Professor

Shape our curriculum in AI, content strategy, and tech comm
Establish a strong record of scholarly research
Teach and inspire students at both undergraduate and graduate levels
Collaborate with our internationally recognized faculty
Contribute to our department's growth and innovation
Utilize our state-of-the-art facilities for teaching and research
Engage with the community through our TACO Research Lab

What We're Looking For

Ph.D. in technical communication, information science, learning technologies, or a related field (by the time of appointment)
Expertise in one or more of these areas:
- Artificial intelligence and automation
- Health/science communication
- Informatics
- Translation and localization
A defined research agenda
Experience teaching tech comm courses at the college level
Ability to teach a variety of foundational courses in tech comm

Ideal Candidates Will Also Have

Experience teaching online or in hybrid modalities
Industry experience as a technical communicator, information architect, content strategist, or in a related field

What We Offer

Supportive 2/2 teaching load for junior faculty
Opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration
Resources for professional development and research
A vibrant, diverse campus community in the heart of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex
Access to cutting-edge teaching and research facilities
Opportunities for community engagement through our TACO Research Lab

Join Our Team

At UNT, we're not just teaching tech comm—we're redefining it. Our department is at the forefront of integrating emerging technologies and industry practices into our curriculum. As an assistant professor, you'll play a crucial role in shaping the future of tech comm education and research.

Application review will begin on October 21, 2024, and will continue until the position is filled. Please submit the following materials:

The contact information for three professional references
CV
Cover letter
Transcripts
Statement of research interests

"Our department is a hub of innovation where faculty and students work together to push the boundaries of technical communication. We're looking for a colleague who shares our passion for excellence and our commitment to preparing students for the dynamic world of professional communication." -Dr. Ryan Boettger, Department Chair

Questions?

If you have any questions about this position or the application process, please don't hesitate to reach out to Dr. Erin Friess at erin.friess@unt.edu.

Ready to Make Your Mark?

If you're excited about the prospect of joining a dynamic team and contributing to the future of tech comm education and research, we want to hear from you. Apply now to become part of the UNT Tech Comm family!