Director of Photography

Job

Location:

Columbia

Full/Part Time:
Full-Time

The Missouri School of Journalism is looking for an accomplished photojournalist and dynamic visual thinker to join the faculty of the world's first journalism school.

At the heart of this role is the opportunity to teach and mentor students in photojournalism and documentary journalism, through the Missouri Method of hands‑on learning in our newsrooms and classrooms.

In addition to classroom teaching, this position involves serving as Director of Photography for the Missouri News Network, In this role, you will work with student photographers and videographers producing content for the Columbia Missourian, our daily news site and newspaper, and our other newsrooms, including Vox magazine, KBIA-FM, Missouri Business Alert, Boone County Journal and KOMU-TV.

The right candidate for this role will share our passion for visual storytelling and will have a vision for how to translate those skills to a variety of platforms and mediums. They will help lead our work focused on examining the impact of artificial intelligence and other technological advancements on the visual journalism industry.

This role will also take a leadership role in the Missouri Photo Workshop, an intensive annual event that draws photographers from throughout the country and the world to document life in a different Missouri town each year.

This position is an in‑person, full‑time, non‑tenure track, 12‑month faculty appointment. It focuses on visual storytelling by teaching photojournalism and related classes, serving on faculty and student committees and working with the faculty, staff and students in our newsrooms.

To connect students with the profession, this position will access and assist in developing the wide‑reaching visual journalism resources that are unique to Mizzou. The McDougall Center for Photojournalism Studies hosts a gallery and an archive of our shared photographic history. The journalism library is home to an expansive collection of photojournalism books that includes some of the latest, most insightful perspectives in our profession.

A key to visual education at Mizzou includes the renowned professional programs that are recognized throughout the world:
College Photographer of the Year, Pictures of the Year and MPW.

Our goal is to teach students practical skills used daily by visual journalists. These skills include business practices, photo stories and essays, video storytelling, studio lighting, ethical judgments in areas including the role of AI, and collaborating in news environments as working photojournalists and future leaders. Students learn by working for the Missouri News Network.

University

Title:

Assistant, Associate or Full Professional Practice Professor
Appointment: 12-month

Minimum Qualifications by time of appointment:

A bachelor's degree in photojournalism, journalism, visual communication or related field.

At least 5 years of experience working as a professional photojournalist, videographer, picture editor or an instructor.

Candidates will be evaluated on:

Highest degree earned in photography, photojournalism, visual communication, or a related field.

Experience teaching at the college level and a proven ability guiding students through their education.

A record of journalistic accomplishment.

Someone who is deeply engaged with our profession and wants to share their passion, intelligence and energy as part of our J‑school family.

A cover letter highlighting your strengths for this position.

Your resume.

Three examples of your visual editing work, detailing your role.

A photography portfolio of up to 20 images. Include a URL link (or copies).

If applicable, two examples of your teaching…