Assistant Professor, Visual and Performing Arts

Fairfield University; Fairfield (CT); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Fairfield University in Connecticut seeks a full-time tenure-track Assistant Professor in Film, Television, and Media Arts Production. The candidate should be a practicing filmmaker with a track record of public exhibition and experience directing, writing or producing narrative work.

Responsibilities include teaching three undergraduate courses per semester, developing a research/creative agenda, and engaging with the university’s social justice mission. Starting date September 1, 2027.

Qualifications

• Terminal degree required; MFA preferred; PhD acceptable with relevant professional experience.
• Proven excellence in undergraduate teaching with emphasis on screenwriting instruction.
• Ability to teach hands-on filmmaking and advanced courses in producing, directing, and screenwriting.

Responsibilities

• Teach hands-on, introductory courses in filmmaking, screenwriting and editing.
• Deliver advanced courses including producing, feature film/television screenwriting, and directing.
• Maintain an active research/creative agenda and participate in university service.

Skills

Teaching experience

Screenwriting instruction

Film production

Education

MFA preferred

PhD acceptable with relevant professional experience

Tools

RED cameras

Arri LED lighting

Job description

Fairfield University is a co-educational, comprehensive Jesuit university with a 200-acre campus located along the scenic shoreline community of Fairfield, CT. The University is comprised of approximately 3,500 undergraduate and 1,200 graduate students pursuing degrees within 5 schools: The College of Arts and Sciences, The Charles F. Dolan School of Business, The School of Engineering, The Marion Peckham Egan School of Nursing and Health Studies, and School of Education and Human Development. As an expression of our Jesuit, Catholic mission and identity, Fairfield embraces a liberal humanistic approach to education, encouraging critical thinking, cultivating free and open inquiry, and fostering ethical and religious values.

Job Description

The Department of Visual and Performing Arts at Fairfield University seeks a full-time tenure-track faculty position in Film, Television, and Media Arts Production at the rank of Assistant Professor. We are looking for a practicing filmmaker, with a background in directing, writing and/or producing work in narrative fiction, evidenced by a track record of public exhibition such as film festivals. The successful applicant will teach hands-on, introductory courses in filmmaking, short film screenwriting and editing, as well as advanced courses in subjects that may include producing, feature film/television screenwriting, directing. The ability to engage with Fairfield’s mission of fostering social justice and responsibility is preferred. The teaching load is three undergraduate courses each semester, with an active research/creative agenda and university service required for promotion and tenure. The appointment, pending final budget approval, will have a starting date of September 1, 2027.

Requirements

Applicants are expected to have completed a terminal degree (MFA, preferred; PhD acceptable with relevant professional experience). Applicants must have demonstrated excellence in undergraduate teaching, with experience in screenwriting instruction emphasized, and evidence of potential for academic career success.

Additional Information

The Film, Television, and Media Arts (FTMA) program offers a major and a minor and is one of six programs in the Department of Visual and Performing Arts. FTMA students build skills in both critical analysis and hands-on production while acquiring a solid foundation in creating and reflecting on multimedia storytelling forms. Benefiting from the personal attention of a faculty comprised of scholars, artists, and industry professionals, students learn practices and skills at the cutting edge of the field and are mentored to understand the expressive power of media while discovering their own creative voice. All FTMA courses are based in Fairfield’s newly renovated Media Center, featuring two studios, multiple post-production suites, screening facilities, editing labs and a staffed equipment cage, with industry-standard cinema gear ranging from RED cameras to Arri LED lighting. Just a short train ride away from midtown Manhattan, FTMA has strong links to the media industry in New York City, with many faculty and alumni based there. After graduation, most FTMA students acquire solid, entry-level jobs in a variety of media fields or continue to develop their interest through graduate studies.

Category

Academic - Faculty Tenure/Tenure Track

Performs such other duties, responsibilities, and activities as required by supervisor and as departmental/University needs indicate.

*Disclaimer

The above information indicates the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain and should not be interpreted as an comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, activities, and/or qualifications required or expected of employees assigned to this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change and new ones may be assigned at any time, with or without notice.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a satisfactory background check.

Fairfield University provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.