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Penn State University

Penn State University is hiring: Tenure Track Assistant Professor in Music Theor

Penn State University, University Park, PA, United States


APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
  • CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.


  • 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.


JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

The School of Music in the College of Arts & Architecture at The Pennsylvania State University invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track, Assistant Professor of Music Theory position starting August 1, 2025. A Ph.D. in Music Theory or its equivalent is required; ABD will be considered but doctorate must be completed by the start of the appointment.

We seek a colleague with a commitment to accessibility and representation in the classroom, whose teaching displays a diversity of methodologies. The ideal applicant values creative teaching, interdisciplinary artistry, and collaboration. To that end, this colleague will be a leader in re-envisioning both the undergraduate music theory curriculum (majors and non-majors) and our graduate programs. An Assistant Professor in the School of Music will be expected to maintain an active regional, national, and international scholarly profile, and develop a research agenda appropriate to an R-1 university tenure-track position. School of Music faculty and administration share an ethic of collegial responsibility and mutual care, so this new hire will receive solid mentoring, professional development, and support.

The College of Arts & Architecture is working to establish a culture of anti-racism and anti-oppression that embraces individual identities, fosters a culture of inclusion, and promotes equity through curricula, values, standards, ideals, policies and practices. Please provide evidence for your experience with these goals in your cover letter, and define yourself and your approach to music in ways that let us envision the unique qualifications you would bring to the Penn State School of Music.

We welcome applicants from a wide variety of pedagogical, educational, and musical backgrounds, with possible additional expertise in areas such as (but not limited to) performance, improvisation, arranging, vernacular music, disability studies, or non-European musical traditions. The successful candidate will be encouraged to establish ties with other areas within the School of Music and other programs on campus.

Instructional duties may include (but are not limited to) courses in the undergraduate theory and musicianship sequence, graduate-level special topic seminars, and other courses in the candidate's unique areas of expertise. The position also requires university service duties appropriate to a tenure-track assistant professor.

To apply, upload the following items. Screening of applications will begin on December 15th and will continue until the position is filled. Upon request, candidates should be prepared to submit additional materials documenting teaching effectiveness. Questions may be directed to Wanda Hockenberry, Assistant to the Director, wgs1@psu.edu.

- Cover letter

- CV

- Names and contact information for three professional references

- A one-page teaching statement on your approaches to inclusive, diverse pedagogical methods and viewpoints

The following clearances must be successfully completed for this position:

•Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Background Check

•Pennsylvania Child Abuse History

•Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Criminal Background Check

Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.

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.

Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.

EEO IS THE LAW

Penn State is an equal opportunity, affirmative action 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.

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