Department: School of Journalism and Communication
Rank: Associate or Full Professor (open rank)
Annual Basis: 9 Month
Application Deadline
October 15, 2026; position open until filled
Required Application Materials
To ensure consideration, please submit application materials by October 15, 2026. The position will remain open until filled. Interested applicants should submit:
• Letter of Interest (Cover Letter): A cover letter that addresses the candidate's qualifications for the Jonathan Marshall First Amendment Chair. Applicants should describe their research, teaching, and professional experience related to First Amendment law, press freedom, media law, and other relevant areas of expertise. The letter should also discuss the candidate's potential contributions to the School of Journalism and Communication's undergraduate and graduate programs, scholarly community, and commitment to inclusive teaching, mentorship, and collaboration. Candidates are encouraged to highlight any experience with public scholarship, international or comparative perspectives, legal and ethical issues related to emerging technologies, and other areas relevant to the position.
• Curriculum Vitae (CV): A current academic curriculum vitae that details educational background, academic appointments, scholarly publications, grant activity, teaching experience, professional service, public engagement activities, honors and awards, and other accomplishments relevant to the position.
• Contact Information for Three Academic References: Names, titles, institutional affiliations, telephone numbers, and email addresses for three professional or academic references who can address the candidate's qualifications for a tenured/tenure-track appointment. References will be contacted only for candidates who advance in the search process.
Position Announcement
The University of Oregon’s School of Journalism and Communication (SOJC) seeks a recognized expert in First Amendment and/or press freedom law to fill a tenured/tenure-track position as the Jonathan Marshall First Amendment Chair. The position will be filled at the rank of associate or full professor. The endowed Chair was established to encourage teaching and research about press freedom, with a special emphasis on constitutional protection of freedom of speech and press and on the role of the press in a democratic society.
In addition to a primary focus on the First Amendment and press freedom, we seek candidates who have research and teaching experience in media law broadly conceived, including those with secondary expertise on issues related to privacy, intellectual property, and/or platform regulation.
Candidates who bring an international or comparative perspective to press freedom and speech law, whose research and teaching explores legal and ethical issues related to emerging technologies, and/or who engages or has the potential to engage in public scholarship will be viewed positively.
The candidate will be expected to teach our required undergraduate course in communication law as well as other courses in their area of specialization. They will also teach and advise in the SOJC’s graduate MA and PhD programs and will contribute to a culture of inclusive teaching and scholarly collaboration.
Department or Program Summary
The School of Journalism and Communication (SOJC) is an accredited research and professional school serving approximately 2,450 undergraduates and 150 graduate students both on the University of Oregon campus in Eugene and at the UO Campus in Portland. Degrees offered are the BA, BS, MA, MS, and Ph.D., as well as minors in Media Studies, Game Studies, and Science Communication. The SOJC employs approximately 125 individuals as faculty and staff, over 50 graduate employees as well as roughly 50 student employees. The School is one of the oldest journalism programs in the nation, founded in 1916.
Minimum Requirements
• Ph.D. in communication, media studies, journalism, law or another related field, and/or Juris Doctorate (J.D.) or equivalent/terminal degree in a relevant discipline (e.g., an SJD in Law)
• Subject matter expertise in First Amendment and/or press freedom law, demonstrated through at least five years of relevant research, teaching, professional practice, and/or scholarly publication in the field.
• Subject matter expertise in media law, policy, and/or regulation beyond First Amendment and press freedom law, demonstrated through at least five years of relevant research, teaching, professional practice, policy work, and/or scholarly publication.
Preferred Qualifications
• A record of scholarly accomplishment that includes publication of peer-reviewed academic articles and/or books in communication, media studies, journalism, law, information studies, and/or related fields.
• Subject matter expertise in the intersection of legal issues and emerging information and communication technologies including, but not limited to, generative AI, immersive media (XR/VR/AR), and/or digital platforms.
• Research and/or teaching experience applying comparative and/or international perspectives to speech issues and/or media law.
• Focus on issues of bias, discrimination, inequality, justice, and marginalization in the context of free speech and/or media law.
• Record of excellence in teaching media law and related subjects, including the ability to effectively teach undergraduate communication law courses and contribute to graduate education through instruction, advising, and mentorship of MA and PhD students. Evidence may include curriculum development, teaching awards, student mentorship, student evaluations, or other indicators of instructional effectiveness.
• Successful mentorship of undergraduate and graduate students, including guidance on research, academic achievement, and career development.
About the University
The University of Oregon is the flagship institution of higher learning in Oregon and enrolls more than 20,000 undergraduate and 3,600 graduate students. It is an Association of American Universities member and Tier-One research institution that is ranked “highest research activity” by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.
All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of a background check.
The University of Oregon is proud to offer a robust benefits package to eligible employees, including health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off. For more information about benefits, visit our website.
The University of Oregon is an equal-opportunity institution committed to cultural diversity and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The University encourages all qualified individuals to apply and does not discriminate on the basis of any protected status, including veteran and disability status. The University is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. To request an accommodation in connection with the application process, please email us or call 541-346-5112.
UO prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy (including pregnancy-related conditions), age, physical or mental disability, genetic information (including family medical history), ancestry, familial status, citizenship, service in the uniformed services (as defined in federal and state law), veteran status, expunged juvenile record, and/or the use of leave protected by state or federal law in all programs, activities and employment practices as required by Title IX, other applicable laws, and policies. Retaliation is prohibited by UO policy. Questions may be referred to the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access. Contact information, related policies, and complaint procedures are listed here.
In compliance with federal law, the University of Oregon prepares an annual report on campus security and fire safety programs and services. The Annual Campus Security and Fire Safety Report is available online.
