Assistant Professor, Film & Media Studies

Auburn University; Auburn (AL); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Auburn University invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position in Film & Media Studies within the School of Communication and Journalism, beginning August 16, 2027. The program offers practice-based courses emphasizing narrative and documentary film, with opportunities to develop skills in writing, directing, editing, and sound design.

Responsibilities include teaching undergraduate filmmaking courses, maintaining an active scholarly or creative agenda, and contributing

Qualifications

• MFA in Filmmaking or related field by start date.
• Demonstrated record of excellence in teaching college-level filmmaking courses.
• Evidence of creative productivity or potential in filmmaking.

Responsibilities

• Teach in-person undergraduate filmmaking courses (e.g., Introduction to Filmmaking, Screenwriting, Cinematography, Editing).
• Build and teach FILM-related courses and descriptions available online.
• Engage in scholarly research or creative work and contribute to service to the school and university.

Skills

Teaching

Education

MFA in Filmmaking or related field

Job description

Overview

Assistant Professor, Film & Media Studies

The School of Communication and Journalism at Auburn University invites applications for a tenure track faculty position in Film beginning August 16, 2027.

FILM is an option within the Film & Media Studies program, which serves approximately 90 majors and minors. It is a practice-based sequence of courses designed to develop skills applicable to narrative and documentary films, commercials, branded video and animation. Students learn how to write, direct, film, edit, color grade, composite and design sound. Students also complete a mix of individual and collaborative projects designed to develop conceptual and technical film and media making skills.

Auburn University is one of the nation’s premier land-grant institutions. The 2024 edition of the U.S. News & World Report identified Auburn as the top public university in Alabama and ranked it as one of the top 50 universities in the nation. Auburn has 1,443 full-time faculty and enrolls over 33,000 students from all fifty states and nearly one hundred countries. Auburn University is understanding of and sensitive to the family needs of faculty, including dual-career couples. http://www.auburn.edu/academic/provost/facultyjobs/ It is our policy to provide equal employment and education opportunities for all individuals without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other classification protected by applicable law. Please visit the website to learn more. The School of Communication and Journalism has approximately 50 faculty and 700 majors in Communication, Journalism, Film & Media Studies, and Public Relations (cla.auburn.edu/cmjn/).

Review of applications will begin October 12, 2026, and continue until a candidate is selected. Salary will be commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Only candidates who have uploaded all the required documents will be considered. Additional materials may be requested at a later stage in the selection process.

Responsibilities

Responsibilities include teaching in-person undergraduate filmmaking courses, including, but not limited to: Introduction to Filmmaking, Screenwriting, Intermediate Filmmaking, Cinematography, Editing, and Introduction to Film Studies. Candidates should indicate in their cover letters their preparation to teach these courses. A full listing of FILM-related courses and their descriptions is available online: https://bulletin.auburn.edu/coursesofinstruction/film/

The successful candidate will have a strong background in filmmaking and a demonstrated ability to teach undergraduate filmmaking courses in at least one of the following areas: narrative filmmaking, documentary filmmaking, experimental filmmaking, or sequence design.

Tenure-track faculty members are expected to engage in scholarly research or creative work, teach five courses per year, and engage in service to the school, college, university and discipline.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will have an MFA in Filmmaking or a related field at the time employment begins. Applicants should have a demonstrated record of excellence in teaching college-level filmmaking courses and an established record of creative productivity or substantive evidence of creative potential. Appointment to the tenure-track position at the rank of assistant professor requires the earned terminal degree (MFA) by the August 16, 2027 start date.

Salary is competitive, dependent on qualifications and contingent on funding.

Applicants must submit the following required documents: cover letter, CV, transcripts, three letters of recommendation, and evidence of teaching effectiveness, including a one-page teaching statement and teaching evaluations, if available.

Minimum Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

The candidate selected must be able to meet eligibility requirements to work in the United States at the time the appointment is scheduled to begin and continue working legally during employment.

Contract Type

Continuing

Why Work at Auburn?

• Life-Changing Impact: Our work changes lives through research, instruction, and outreach, making a lasting impact on our students, our communities, and the world.
• Culture of Excellence: We are committed to leveraging our strengths, resources, collaboration, and innovation as a top employer in higher education.
• We’re Here for You: Auburn offers generous benefits, educational opportunities, and a culture of support and work/life balance.
• Sweet Home Alabama: The Auburn/Opelika area offers southern charm, vibrant downtown scenes, top-ranked schools, and easy access to Atlanta, Birmingham, and the Gulf of Mexico beaches.
• A Place for Everyone: Auburn is committed to fostering an environment where all faculty, staff, and students are welcomed, valued, respected, and engaged.

Equal Opportunity Compliance Statement

It is our policy to provide equal employment and education opportunities for all individuals without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other classification protected by applicable law. Please visit the Office of Equal Opportunity Compliance's website to learn more.