Screenwriting and/or Production Lecturer in Film and Media Studies (Pooled Recruitment)

University of California - Santa Barbara; Santa Barbara (CA); On-site; USD 74,000 - 78,000; Part time

Job summary

University of California, Santa Barbara invites applications for anticipated academic teaching positions in Film and Media Studies for Fall, Winter, and Spring quarters, with potential Summer 2027. Positions range from 33% to 100% time to accommodate curricular needs.

The department seeks instructors to teach production and screenwriting, with hands-on, workshop-based approaches and room for new iterations based on instructor interest.

Qualifications

• MFA degree in Film, Television, or related Media Practices, or at least five years of professional experience.
• Preferred: teaching at college/university level with strong evaluations.

Responsibilities

• Teach courses in production and screenwriting for the 2026-2027 academic year.
• Possibly teach in Fall, Winter, and Spring quarters; opportunities for Summer 2027.
• Contribute to curriculum development and course design.

Education

MFA degree in Film, Television, or related Media Practices

Five years of professional experience

Job description

Position overview

Position title: Lecturer

Salary range: See Table 15 for the salary range for this position. The actual appointment percentage is variable, derived from an estimated full-time (100%) annual salary range of $73,817-78,314. Percent appointments may vary.

Percent time: 33.33-100%

Application Window

• Open date: August 26, 2026
• Next review date: Wednesday, Sep 9, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
• Final date: Wednesday, Mar 31, 2027 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)

Position description

The Department of Film and Media Studies at UC Santa Barbara is seeking a lecturer to teach courses in production and screenwriting in the 2026-2027 academic year, with options including Fall, Winter, and Spring quarters, and potentially Summer 2027. Positions may range from 33% to 100% time.

In Fall 2026, FAMST 112: Lighting is a workshop approach to explorations in how lighting affects the moving image. Students gain hands-on experience working with multiple lighting scenarios including fixtures, greenscreen and natural light. Class is conducted on a soundstage. It includes 2 lectures per week of 2 hours each.

Screenwriting courses are workshop style courses, weighted towards creative practice. They give students a strong theoretical grounding in screen story and in screenwriting. Courses focus on storytelling and screenwriting skills, and on applying them creatively as a screenwriter. Specific topics are open for discussion. New specific iterations of screenwriting courses can be developed according to instructor interest.

Applications are invited for anticipated academic teaching positions in Fall, Winter, and Spring quarters in the above-mentioned areas. Additional areas of hire may arise. This is a call to constitute a pool of candidates; actual positions become available depending on curricular needs and external candidates will only be considered as teaching needs arise.

The posting will remain open until March 31, 2027 to accommodate department needs. Please note: The use of a lecturer pool does not guarantee that an open position exists at the time you are applying. See the review date specified in UC Recruit to learn whether the department is currently reviewing applications for an upcoming opening. If there is no future review date specified, your application may not be considered at this time.

Department

https://www.filmandmedia.ucsb.edu/

Qualifications

MFA degree in Film, Television, or related Media Practices, or at least five years of professional experience

Preferred qualifications

• Teaching experience at the college or university level for at least one year
• A demonstrated record of teaching excellence and effectiveness as evidenced by positive teaching evaluations

Application Requirements

• Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
• Cover Letter - Your cover letter should include a discussion of qualifications and experience
• Statement of Teaching - Describe your methodological and theoretical approach to pedagogy - how you teach, why you teach that way, and the intellectual frameworks that inform both.
• Description of Proposed Courses - Describe your proposed production and/or screenwriting course(s)
• Sample Course Syllabus #1 - Please upload proposed course syllabi fitting the courses described based on your own area of expertise.
• Sample Course Syllabus #2 (Optional)
• Sample Syllabus #3 (Optional)
• Teaching Evaluations (Optional)

Reference requirements

• 3 required (contact information only)

Please provide the names and complete contact information for 3 references. The department will conduct a reference check for the finalist before extending an offer.

Help contact

[e-mail]

About UC Santa Barbara

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct.

• "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment or discrimination as defined by the employer.
• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
• UC Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, students and third parties
• APM - 035: Aff...

Additionally, you will be required to comply with the University of California Policy on Vaccination Programs, as may be amended or revised from time to time. Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.

Job location

Santa Barbara, CA