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Riverdale Park, Maryland, United States
Onsite
Overview
The University of Maryland’s Philip Merrill College of Journalism is seeking an experienced journalist to join its faculty in a dual role as a Visiting Professor and as the Public Editor for National Public Radio (NPR).
This is a unique opportunity to serve two institutions whose missions are focused on journalism and journalism education. This office will be housed at Merrill College, but have access to NPR facilities, including the headquarters in DC, and the opportunity to work with more than 240 independently owned and operated Member stations across every state and territory.
Public Editor
The NPR Public Editor serves as the public’s representative to NPR in matters of journalism and journalism ethics, providing a forum for audience views and reporting on behalf of the public. The Public Editor works to ensure that NPR’s journalism meets the highest editorial standards, and helps to hold NPR accountable to its values and mission. The Public Editor is critical to building and retaining the trust of the public in NPR.
The Public Editor performs duties including but not limited to:
This person will be part of a world-class faculty and expected to teach one or two classes per year to journalism students and/or the greater university on subjects such as trust in the press, journalistic transparency, media criticism, media law and ethics, or other related topics. They will also serve on college and university governance committees.
Other Details:
This position is a full-time, year-round position. This person's office will be at Merrill College, but travel to NPR offices in Washington and to member stations around the country as required.
This position is not eligible for tenure at the University of Maryland. This is a three-year appointment with the potential for renewal.
A thriving, mission-driven multimedia organization, NPR produces award-winning news, information and music programming in partnership with hundreds of independent public radio stations across the nation. The NPR audience values information, creativity, curiosity and social responsibility — and our employees do, too. We are innovators and leaders in diverse fields, from journalism and digital media to IT and development. Every day, our employees and member stations touch the lives of millions worldwide.
Organization's Summary Statement:
The Philip Merrill College of Journalism at the University of Maryland, consistently ranked among the world's top journalism schools, develops journalists and media scholars with rigorous reporting, research and analytical skills, a commitment to ethics, and an appreciation for the First Amendment’s key role in a free society. Located a few miles from Washington, D.C., the college prepares students for a dynamic profession, with a faculty that includes acclaimed researchers and repeat winners of journalism’s top awards — including the Pulitzer, Peabody and Emmy awards.
Merrill College students enjoy small classes and also have access to the resources and opportunities available at one of the nation's top public research universities. Our students leave the university with strong writing and visual skills, a command of technology and a nuanced understanding of data analysis, AI and audience engagement.
The college has approximately 450 undergraduate and graduate students, and about 60 faculty and staff. The college is housed in Knight Hall, located on the UMD College Park campus. The college also runs news bureaus in Annapolis and Washington, is the home of the award-winning Howard Center for Investigative Journalism, The Shirley Povich Center for Sports Journalism and the Local News Network. It is also host to the national office of the National Association of Black Journalists.
Minimum Qualifications:
Preferences:
Required Application Materials:
Best Consideration Date: 11/30/2026
Posting Close Date: 12/22/2026
Open Until Filled: NA
Offers of employment are contingent on completion of a background check. Information reported by the background check will not automatically disqualify anyone from employment. Before any adverse decision, the finalist will have an opportunity to provide information to the University regarding disclosable background check information. The University reserves the right to rescind the offer of employment or otherwise decline or terminate employment if the information reported by the background check is deemed incompatible with the position, regardless of when the background check is completed.
The successful candidate must complete employment eligibility verification (on Form I-9) by presenting documents that establish identity and work authorization within the timeframe required by federal immigration law, and where applicable, to demonstrate renewed employment authorization. Failure to complete employment eligibility verification or reverification within the timeframe set forth by law may result in suspension or termination of employment.
The University of Maryland, College Park is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment. Please read the University’s Equal Employment Opportunity Statement of Policy.
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