Assistant Professor of Instruction

Columbia College Chicago; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 62,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a passionate Assistant Professor of Instruction in Cinematography. This full-time role involves teaching at both undergraduate and graduate levels, developing innovative curricula, and enhancing the educational experience for a diverse student body. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in cinematography and lighting, with a commitment to fostering an inclusive environment. Join a vibrant college community dedicated to shaping the future of creative education and empowering students to excel in their fields through hands-on experience and artistic expression.

Benefits

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Flexible Spending Accounts

Commuter Benefit Program

Educational Assistance Programs

Retirement Benefits

Paid Leave Options

Qualifications

• MFA or terminal degree in filmmaking preferred, or 7 years professional experience.
• Expertise in cinematography, lighting, and digital workflows is required.

Responsibilities

• Teach undergraduate and graduate courses in cinematography and lighting.
• Develop and implement a high-quality curriculum and lesson plans.
• Provide service to the college and promote its policies.

Skills

Cinematography

Lighting Design

Digital Tools and Techniques

Teaching Experience

Professional Camera Systems

Crew Leadership

Education

MFA or Terminal Degree in Filmmaking

7+ Years Professional Experience in Lighting/Cinematography

Tools

High-Definition Video Formats

Job description

Job Description - Assistant Professor of Instruction (25000010)

Job Description

Assistant Professor of Instruction - ( 25000010 )

Description

The School of Film and Television at Columbia College Chicago is seeking applicants for a full-time Assistant Professor of Instruction position in Cinematography beginning August 2025.

Candidates should have professional and preferably academic experience in cinematography, lighting, and lighting design for film, video, and television. Experience should include fluency in advanced processes and techniques in professional high-definition video formats and significant experience with digital tools, techniques, and workflows. The successful candidate will approach lighting and cinematography as tools for artistic expression that further and enhance storytelling. Experience in both film and television, including studio television, is a plus, as well as the ability to work with media producers in other disciplines.

In addition to expertise in their field, successful candidates should have teaching experience and be passionate about undergraduate education.

We seek candidates who can fundamentally enhance our curriculum by fostering a more diverse environment on set and on screen, utilizing compositional and lighting techniques that enhance stories produced by a highly diverse student body.

Candidates should have a demonstrated capacity for professional practice in their areas and a willingness to help implement curriculum.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Teach at the undergraduate and, if appropriate, at the graduate level in areas assigned by the School Director.
• Deliver lesson plans in accordance with the learning objectives set for the course, including practical skills, methods, theories, and techniques.
• Contribute to the development, planning, and implementation of a high-quality curriculum.
• Provide service to the college.
• Actively follow and promote Columbia College Chicago policies.

Columbia College Chicago actively promotes access to an expansive array of social and cultural theories, practices, and perspectives that are vitally important to the successful delivery of a contemporary creative curriculum and the college’s mission to educate students who will author the culture of their times. These principles are essential to the educational experiences of our students, staff, and faculty.

We seek individuals with a demonstrated ability to work with students from a wide range of social and cultural backgrounds, and whose creative, scholarly and/or professional work contributes to a rich educational experience consistent with our mission. For more information, please visit here.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• MFA or other terminal degree in filmmaking, film production, or related media field with an emphasis on cinematography and lighting preferred, or 7 years minimum professional experience in the field of lighting/cinematography.

Desired Qualifications

• Professional experience as well as college teaching experience are highly desirable.
• Experience with advanced professional cameras and lighting techniques.
• Expert knowledge of camera systems and lighting techniques. Experience leading crews of various sizes (please specify in the application).
• Experience with digital tools, techniques, and workflows.
• Knowledge of pre-production processes, and ability to teach equitable crew communication throughout all phases of planning and production.

Application

• To apply for this position, submit the following materials online:
• A letter outlining the applicant’s background, qualifications, and vision for the position.
• An Access and Excellence Activities Statement describing actions you have taken to support and advance educational access and exposure to broad perspectives in service, teaching, or research/creative activity. Please be succinct with your response.
• Contact information for three references. References will not be contacted without prior consultation with the applicant.

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee and is subject to change based on the needs of the school and/or college.

Position Minimum Annual Salary: $62,000.00

Position Maximum Annual Salary: $64,000.00

The salary range provided in this posting reflects what we reasonably expect to pay for this position. Actual compensation offered or earned is dependent on experience, education, and other factors including department budget.

About the College

Columbia College Chicago is a private not-for-profit college for creatives serving 5500 undergraduate and graduate students. Columbia College is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission. Located in downtown Chicago’s South Loop, the College is centered in one of the world's most lively urban cultural areas. Its many competitive advantages include its strong reputation in the creative industries, outstanding faculty and passionate students, impressive technological and physical resources, and a sincere commitment to bringing diverse voices and experiences into proximity with each other to shape new forms of creative practice.

At Columbia, we offer a rewarding work environment for our faculty and staff. We take pride in offering competitive benefits with affordable health, dental and vision coverage; flexible spending accounts; commuter benefit program; life and accidental, death & dismemberment coverage; paid and unpaid leave options; work/life benefits; educational assistance programs; and retirement and financial planning benefits. Click here for more information.

We invite you to join our talented faculty and staff and become part of our collective aspiration to ensure Columbia prepares students for success in their creative fields through innovation, engagement, and real-world experiences.

Additional Information

• Position subject to background screening.
• This is a non-union position.
• This position is overtime exempt.

Columbia College Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all local, state, and federal laws and regulations concerning civil rights. The college does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law.