Assistant Professor of Radio-Television-Film (RTVF) - Cinematography

CSU Careers • San José, CA

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The School of Film, Theatre, and Dance at San José State University is hiring a tenure-track Assistant Professor specializing in cinematography and visual storytelling, with strong technical expertise in film and television production. The position is suited to accomplished media makers and educators with professional expertise or teaching experience in camera work, lighting, and moving image production. The successful candidate will demonstrate mastery of visual narrative and creative and technical film craft. The school is particularly interested in creative work that engages historically marginalized voices and perspectives.

The School of Film, Theatre, and Dance includes Radio-Television-Film, Theatre Arts, and Dance, supporting collaboration across media and performing arts. The RTVF program combines hands-on training in radio, television, film, screenwriting, and sound production with critical study of media history, aesthetics, and culture. Students develop creative and technical skills through coursework and collaborative productions, including opportunities with Spartan Film Studios and the university radio station, 90.5 FM KSJS. Located in Silicon Valley, the school offers opportunities to connect creative practice, critical inquiry, and interdisciplinary teaching while preparing students for careers in an evolving media landscape.

The role includes teaching undergraduate courses, mentoring students, contributing to curriculum development and student recruitment, maintaining professional engagement through research and/or creative activities, and participating in shared governance and other service. The candidate must demonstrate awareness of and experience meeting the needs of a diverse student population through inclusive course materials, teaching strategies, and advisement. Classes must be organized within the Canvas Learning Management System.

The position is based in California and requires establishing an on-campus presence. Employment is contingent upon US residence, eligibility to work in the United States, and satisfactory background and reference checks. The target start date is August 17, 2027. The anticipated academic-year annual salary range is $90,000–$94,000, commensurate with qualifications, experience, and rank. Applications are due January 5, 2027, and may be accepted until the position is filled or closed.

Requirements

• MFA in Film Production or a graduate degree in a closely related field.
• A record of creative practice in cinematography, visual storytelling, and film and/or television production demonstrating aesthetic and technical expertise.
• Undergraduate-level teaching experience and ability to integrate theoretical concepts and aesthetic principles into hands-on instruction in cinematography and/or film production.
• Technical proficiency in camera operation, lighting, grip and electrical systems, and digital cinema technologies.
• Experience with some of the following: digital cinema cameras and camera support systems, lenses, exposure, composition, camera movement, studio and location lighting, color theory, image acquisition, and color management workflows.
• Awareness of and sensitivity to the educational goals of a socially and economically diverse student population, gained through cross-cultural study, training, teaching, or comparable experience.
• Awareness and experience in understanding the needs of students diverse in age, abilities, cultural background, ethnicity, religion, economic background, primary language, sexual orientation, gender identity, and academic preparation.
• Employment requires US residence and proof of eligibility to work in the United States; satisfactory background and reference checks are required.
• The work may only be performed in California and requires establishing an on-campus presence.

Nice To Haves

• Professional experience as a cinematographer and/or filmmaker in the film and television industry, including narrative feature or short films, episodic or serial television, web-based media, music videos, commercials, or other professional media productions.
• Familiarity with contemporary filmmaking practices, workflows, technologies, and production environments.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to work collaboratively in a small, dynamic department.
• Additional professional experience or technical proficiency in color correction and post-production imaging, editing and contemporary post-production practices, directing in narrative production environments, or emerging filmmaking technologies such as AI-related and virtual production tools.
• Experience mentoring students in collaborative film and media production, with attention to inclusive collaboration, professional equipment use, set safety, and production planning.
• Experience developing or contributing to cinematography and/or production curricula and courses.
• A record of obtaining external grants from governmental or private foundation sources to support creative work or research.
• Interest in interdepartmental collaboration and cross-disciplinary teamwork beyond the School of Film, Theatre, and Dance.
• Demonstrated commitment to addressing equity gaps in film and television and advancing social justice, diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, including creative work engaging historically underrepresented voices and perspectives.

Responsibilities

• Design and teach introductory and advanced-level courses in cinematography and film and television production, and potentially related courses based on the candidate’s expertise.
• Emphasize professional equipment use, set safety, and production planning in instruction.
• Advise and mentor students in coursework, creative projects, collaborative production environments, and professional development.
• Contribute to Radio-Television-Film curriculum development, including developing and revising courses in cinematography and emerging areas of film production.
• Participate in student recruitment.
• Develop and sustain an ongoing record of professional engagement, including research and/or creative activities.
• Participate in shared governance, including department, college, and university committees and other service assignments.
• Organize all classes within the Canvas Learning Management System.
• Address the needs of a diverse student population through inclusive course materials, teaching strategies, and advisement.

Benefits

• Faculty employee benefits are described as very competitive for the higher education sector; the CSU Employee Benefits Summary provides further details.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level