Assistant Professor in Film and Media Production

Junior Faculty Position in Film and Media Production

The Department of Radio/Television/Film explores the history, theory, and production of media—from cinema to television to sound design to interactive media and emerging technologies. We value originality, critical analysis, creativity, and vision in both scholarly research and creative work. Our programs, courses, and research opportunities focus on the history of film, television, sound, and interactive media as well as the critical analysis of media texts, technologies, and cultures.

Our faculty explore the social and cultural impact of media—and use media to convey their own messages to the world. All are dedicated to integrating the theory and the practice of media, participating in interdisciplinary dialogue, and fostering a spirit of creativity and collaboration. This prepares students who are eager to pursue careers in the media industries as writers, directors, producers, and managers who inspire, persuade, and educate their audiences.

The Department seeks an Assistant Professor in film and media production, specifically a working filmmaker who has a robust practice that bridges hybrid forms, experience working across documentary, fiction, and/or experimental practices. The ideal candidate will have extensive knowledge of independent production, with expertise in areas such as cinematography, color correction, lighting, and editing. Additional desirable skills include emerging media practices, including interactive arts, gaming, VR, animation, and physical computing.

This position will be a core faculty member in our hybrid documentary media program (MFA), will teach undergraduate production classes, and will contribute to the administration and curricular development of the MFA.

This position is 100% in person and located on Northwestern University’s Evanston campus in the greater Chicago area.

This is a full-time tenure-eligible faculty appointment, service of 9 months paid over 12. The standard tenure clock at Northwestern University is six years, subject to a third year review and reappointment process.

The salary range is $100,000-$110,000, competitive based upon experience.

Northwestern University has provided a pay range representing its good faith estimate of what the university reasonably expects to pay for the position. The pay offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors including (but not limited to) the experience and qualifications of the selected candidate including years since terminal degree, training, and field or discipline; departmental budget availability;

internal comparators; and external market pay for comparable jobs.

September 1, 2027.

October 16, 2026.

Review of applications will begin on October 19, 2026.

• Research and creative work in the area of film and media production
• Undergraduate and graduate student instruction
• Supervision of student thesis projects
• Service to the department, school, university, and profession

• Terminal degree appropriate to the field, i.e. MFA in film and media production, or equivalent industry experience

Applications will be accepted via Northwestern Careers. For full consideration, please be sure to include the following materials in your application:

• Cover letter describing relevant interests, preparation, and experience; candidates should specifically address how previous experiences relate to qualifications for the role
• Current CV, including links to creative works
• Statement on teaching philosophy and creative practice
• Three (3) contacts for letters of recommendation, of which at least one should address teaching qualifications

The School of Communication has five departments and offers a suite of interdisciplinary undergraduate, professional, and graduate programs. The departments span the communication arts and sciences including the Department of Radio-Television-Film, the Roxelyn and Richard Pepper Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, the Department of Communication Studies, the Department of Performance Studies, and…