Associate Professor (Composition and Creative Practice)

National University of Singapore; Singapore; On-site; SGD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

The National University of Singapore invites applications for a tenure-track Associate Professor to lead Composition and Creative Practice within the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory. This role shapes curriculum, research, and artistic practice, connecting teaching with professional development and public engagement.

Ideal candidates bring a sustained record of scholarly and artistic distinction, with leadership in curriculum design, partnerships, and regional/international networks in contemporary

Qualifications

• Doctoral degree in Composition, Artistic Research, or related field.
• Minimum of ten years of teaching experience in a conservatory and/or university environment with curriculum design and leadership.
• Internationally recognized profile as a composer-scholar or creative practitioner.
• Expertise in integrating composition, creative practice, music theory, and interdisciplinary teaching.
• Experience in academic leadership, curriculum design, programme review, and institutional service.
• Proven ability to supervise and mentor students across programs.
• Strong regional/international networks in contemporary music and collaborations.
• Excellent communication, organisational, and interpersonal skills.
• Evidence of continuing artistic distinction and international standing.

Responsibilities

• Provide academic, artistic, and strategic leadership in developing Composition and Creative Practice as an integrated area.
• Advance an internationally recognized program of creative practice through composition, research, performances, and collaborations.
• Design and teach undergraduate and postgraduate courses in related fields.
• Develop pedagogical approaches linking theory with practice and interdisciplinary learning.
• Lead curriculum development, programme review, and integration of creative practice.
• Supervise and mentor students across undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
• Foster regional and international partnerships to strengthen Southeast Asia’s engagement in contemporary music.
• Provide leadership in commissioning, curation, and public engagement initiatives.

Skills

Academic leadership

Curriculum development

Strategic planning

Collaboration across disciplines

Mentoring students

Education

Doctoral degree in Composition or related field

Job description

Company description

The National University of Singapore is the national research university of Singapore. Founded in 1905 as the Straits Settlements and the Federated Malay States Government Medical School, NUS is the oldest higher education institution in Singapore

Job description

The Yong Siew Toh Conservatory, National University of Singapore, offers a unique and adventurous 21st-century Asian environment in which we train and educate performers, composers, producers and recording engineers to take advantage of future professional and artistic opportunities both in Singapore and in the world. The Conservatory is distinctively international in terms of its faculty, student population and artistic outlook. Our mission is to be a focal point for musical activity, artistic development and research, for Singapore, the Asia-Pacific region, and beyond.

YST is seeking an experienced music professional to provide strategic academic and artistic leadership in composition, creative practice, and artistic research. The successful candidate will advance an imaginative and integrated model of conservatory education at NUS that connects creative practice, scholarly inquiry, teaching, and curriculum development in composition, aural training, music theory, and contextual studies with professional development, leadership, and public engagement. Through internationally recognised creative practice, artistic research, and regional and international engagement, the candidate will also contribute to the Conservatory's position as a leading centre for contemporary and creative practice in music and for artistic research, with particular distinction in Southeast Asia and strong international connections.

Key responsibilities

• Provide academic, artistic, and strategic leadership in the development of Composition and Creative Practice as an integrated area, contributing to creative practice, artistic research, teaching, curriculum development, and the strategic development of the Conservatory and the wider University arts sector
• Advance an internationally recognised programme of creative practice through composition, artistic research, performances, recordings, publications, and collaborations with performers, ensembles, festivals, universities, and cultural institutions.
• Design, teach and develop undergraduate and postgraduate courses in composition, music theory, artistic research, creativity, interdisciplinary practice, and related areas, integrating creative practice, analytical inquiry, performance, and professional preparation
• Develop pedagogical approaches that connect theoretical understanding with creative and artistic practice, reflective inquiry, and interdisciplinary learning, fostering student-centred and practice-led education
• Provide strategic leadership in curriculum development, programme review and integration of creative practice, artistic research, interdisciplinary learning, and conservatory education
• Supervise and mentor undergraduate, postgraduate, professional, and lifelong learners, fostering artistic distinction, critical inquiry, creativity, and professional development through inclusive and practice-led learning environments
• Provide strategic leadership in the development of regional and international artistic partnerships, with strengthening connections between Southeast Asia and the international contemporary music community through collaborations with composers, performers, ensembles, festivals, universities, cultural organisations and networks
• Provide artistic and academic leadership in advancing contemporary music, creative practice, and artistic research in Southeast Asia through composition, commissions, collaborations, the curation of concerts, festivals, conferences, and public engagement initiatives, alongside activity and professional service that strengthen Southeast Asia's contemporary music ecosystem and enhance its international profile and impact
• Maintain an active and internationally recognised programme of creative practice and artistic research that informs teaching, curriculum development, strategic leadership, and the advancement of the discipline

Qualifications

The selection process will commence in November 2026. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted. Enquiries about the position may be directed to the Dean's Office at ••••@nus.edu.sg.

Requirements for interested applicants include:

• A doctoral degree in Composition, Artistic Research, or a related field of musical practice.
• A minimum of ten years of successful teaching experience in a conservatory and/or university environment, with a sustained record of impactful teaching, curriculum design and development, academic leadership, and student mentorship across undergraduate and postgraduate education.
• An internationally recognised profile as a composer-scholar or creative practitioner, demonstrated through a substantial body of creative work, artistic research outputs, publications, commissions, performances, recordings, and collaborations.
• Demonstrated expertise and leadership in integrating composition, creative practice, artistic research, music theory, interdisciplinary teaching, and curriculum design and development within a conservatory or university environment.
• Proven experience in academic and institutional leadership, curriculum design and development, programme review, and institutional service, with the ability to provide strategic leadership in higher institution educational development and conservatory advancement.
• A sustained record in supervising and mentoring students, emerging artists, and professionals across undergraduate, postgraduate, and lifelong learning contexts.
• Demonstrated artistic and professional leadership in developing regional and international networks, partnerships, and collaborative initiatives that advance contemporary music, artistic research, and creative practice, with particular distinction in strengthening Southeast Asia's engagement within the international music community.
• Excellent communication, organisational, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work collaboratively across disciplines and provide strategic academic leadership within a dynamic university and conservatory environment.
• Evidence of continuing artistic distinction, scholarly achievement, strategic leadership, and international standing.

Rank / Salary: Tenure-track at the rank of Associate Professor with benefits package commensurate with qualifications and experience in line with NUS appointment norms.