Assistant Professor - Professional Practice, Contemporary & Commercial Music, Jazz, and Music Production

University of New Orleans • New Orleans, LA

11d

About The Position

The School of the Arts/Music Program at LSU New Orleans invites applications for a full-time Assistant Professor, Professional Practice in Music, with expertise in contemporary and commercial music and music production. The successful candidate will be a versatile musician, educator, and creative practitioner rooted in the foundations of American music, with a strong understanding of jazz and Black American musical traditions and their continued influence on contemporary music. Expertise in performance, songwriting, film scoring, composition, arranging, recording, and audio engineering is sought; music technology, music business, and/or contemporary performance practice is highly desirable.

The successful candidate will teach undergraduate and graduate courses according to program needs and their areas of expertise. Teaching may include improvisation, music history, film scoring, songwriting, theory, arranging, music production, recording and audio engineering, music technology, music business, and other contemporary music subjects. Additional work includes recruitment, course creation, audition reviews, community outreach, participation in departmental performances and events, collaboration across the Music Program and School of the Arts, and support of unit administration. The candidate is expected to maintain an active record of professional, scholarly, or creative activity appropriate to the position.

The Music Program connects the historical foundations of jazz and Black American music with contemporary and commercial music, songwriting, composition, recording, production, technology, and the music industry. The successful candidate will help advance this mission, support existing areas of study, and strengthen and expand the contemporary curriculum. Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience, subject to university and budgetary approval. Applications are reviewed beginning April 15, 2027; complete applications submitted by 11:59 PM on April 14, 2027 receive full consideration. The position remains open until filled.

Requirements

• Minimum master’s degree in Music, Contemporary or Commercial Music, Jazz Studies, Music Production, Composition, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated professional and/or academic expertise in contemporary and commercial music, jazz, music production, or related creative disciplines.
• Evidence of successful teaching, mentorship, or equivalent professional educational experience.
• Demonstrated ability to teach and contribute across multiple areas of a university music curriculum.
• Working knowledge of contemporary music technology and its application in creative and educational environments.
• Demonstrated understanding of jazz, American music, and the historical and cultural foundations of Black American musical traditions.

Nice To Haves

• Ph.D., DMA, or other relevant doctoral degree.
• Expertise in multiple areas of contemporary music practice, including songwriting, arranging, commercial composition, music production, recording engineering, music business, film and media scoring, and/or music technology.
• Professional experience with digital audio workstations, recording systems, audio production, editing, signal flow, and contemporary studio practices.
• Experience teaching music history, improvisation, harmony, or related courses.
• Professional recognition through performance, recording, composition, production, songwriting, publishing, or other creative work.
• Experience in curriculum development, particularly in contemporary music, commercial music, songwriting, or music production.
• A successful history of entrepreneurship, interdisciplinary collaboration, fundraising, grant writing, community engagement, or creative industry partnerships.
• Demonstrated ability to recruit, mentor, and develop students from diverse musical backgrounds and artistic interests.

Responsibilities

• Teach undergraduate and graduate courses according to Music Program needs and the candidate’s areas of expertise.
• Teach subjects that may include improvisation, music history, film scoring, songwriting, theory, arranging, music production, recording and audio engineering, music technology, music business, and other contemporary music subjects.
• Recruit students, create courses, review auditions, and conduct community outreach.
• Participate in departmental performances and events.
• Collaborate with faculty across the Music Program and School of the Arts.
• Support the administrative functions of the unit.
• Maintain an active record of professional, scholarly, or creative activity appropriate to the position.
• Support existing areas of study and help strengthen and expand the Music Program’s contemporary curriculum.

What This Job Offers

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