Assistant Professor- Ethnomusicology

The School of Music in the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position at the rank of assistant professor. We are particularly interested in music scholars who have active creative practices and whose work will broaden our existing expertise in those popular musics whose roots are found in marginalized communities. While we are open to expertise in a variety of musical traditions, we especially invite applications from those with expertise in the musical traditions that have thrived in our nearby communities, including (but not limited to) Black, Latinx, East and Southeast Asian, East and West African, and the music of Indigenous peoples. Scholars whose work investigates music's transnational and transethnic flows are particularly encouraged to apply.

As with all faculty searches in the School of Music, we seek a collaborative and creative colleague to help us build the future of music studies in higher education. We seek candidates poised to develop international reputations through scholarly publications or other forms of published work, and who have experience and practical skills in the creation, production, and/or performance of the music in their area of study. Candidates eager to lead undergraduate liberal education courses, graduate seminars, and performance-based courses are particularly encouraged to apply, as are those qualified to mentor students interested in combining aspects of scholarship and musical creation. The successful candidate will be invited to join a remarkable group of faculty in a state and city with strong commitments to secondary musical education, a region with vibrant Somali, African American, Indigenous, Hmong, and Latinx communities, and a School eager to challenge structures of racism and colonialism.

This appointment will be made at the rank of assistant professor and is a 100%-time position over the nine-month academic year (late August to late May) beginning with the fall semester of 2025 (8/25/2025).

Responsibilities:

• Proactively recruit and maintain an outstanding, nationally competitive cohort of students interested in interdisciplinary music studies at the undergraduate and graduate levels who come from a range of backgrounds.
• Develop and teach academic and creative courses (potentially including ensembles) in the area of expertise.
• Maintain an active scholarly career that deepens and expands our understanding of our musical worlds.
• Advise undergraduate and graduate students on career goals.
• Provide service through participation in faculty governance.
• Contribute to community and civic engagement activities that strengthen the School of Music's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Required Qualifications:

• A Ph.D. in Ethnomusicology, Musicology, Music Theory, Creative Practice/Critical Inquiry, Cultural Studies, Anthropology, or a related field in hand at the start of the appointment. Candidates without the doctoral degree, but with at least one graduate degree and equivalent professional experience, will also be considered.
• An established or emerging record as a scholar and teacher able to prepare students to navigate the contemporary academic and musical landscape.
• Evidence or promise of innovative teaching in liberal education, graduate seminars, and performance-based courses.
• Interest in graduate advising.
• Strong verbal, written, and digital communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with current and emerging technologies and applications (mixing, sound synthesis, beatmaking, analysis, etc.).
• An expertise in community engagement/civic practice.

The School of Music has been an important part of the University of Minnesota since 1902, serving both music majors and students from the many diverse programs offered across our campus. Our distinguished alumni representing a wide range of states, provinces, and nations are making significant contributions to music and artistic life around the world as performers, educators, scholars, and therapists. The mission of the School of Music explicates our commitment to the highest level of excellence in scholarly, creative, and pedagogical endeavors, providing opportunities for quality artistic development, academic learning, and direct engagement with the Twin Cities community. Our faculty members are recognized nationally and internationally for their expertise in performance, scholarship, education, therapy, and creative studies. The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the experiences of its employees and in supporting our academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds. The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the University: http://diversity.umn.edu.

Working at the University

At the University of Minnesota, you'll find a flexible work environment and supportive colleagues who are interested in lifelong learning. We prioritize work-life balance, allowing you to invest in the future of your career and in your life outside of work.

The University also offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefits.

Review of applications will commence November 15, 2024, and the position will remain open until filled. Nominations of outstanding potential candidates for this position are welcome and may be sent to the search chair. Applications must be submitted online through the University of Minnesota's employment system. To be considered for this position, please visit https://humanresources.umn.edu/jobs and follow the instructions [Reference Job Opening #: 365084]. You will have an opportunity to complete an online application, and attach a cover letter and cv. Additional documents must be uploaded by accessing the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section under your "My Job Applications" page. The following materials must be attached to your application:

• A cover letter describing your interest in and qualification for the position as described. Please be sure to outline your scholarly and creative practice, your teaching and mentorship background, and your ability to work across student skill levels and backgrounds.
• A curriculum vitae that outlines your scholarly, teaching, performance, and creative experiences.
• A list of three to five references, including names, email addresses, and phone numbers, on an additional document submitted through the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section under your "My Job Applications" page. No references will be contacted before the search committee chair notifies candidates.
• Three examples of your work, ideally a mixture of scholarly and creative work. Audio and visual materials may be submitted using a YouTube private channel or other online platforms. To submit media files:
  • Create an account in SlideRoom at: https://umnmusic.slideroom.com/#/login/register
  • Complete the "Popular Music - Media Uploads" application. To access the application, use this unique link

https://umnmusic.slideroom.com/#/permalink/program/81172

Candidate confidentiality will be maintained until the campus-interview stage. Additional materials may be requested from candidates at future dates. For questions related to the search, please contact Professor and Search Committee Chair, Fernando Meza by email: mezax001@umn.edu. To request an accommodation during the application process, please email employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-UOHR (8647).

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).