University of Missouri-Kansas City
Tenure-Track ASSISTANT PROFESSOR of Sound & Technology / UMKC CONSERVATORY / The
University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, Missouri, United States, 64101
Overview
The UMKC Conservatory invites applications for a
9-month, full-time, tenure-track position in Sound Design and Technology at the rank of Assistant Professor , beginning in Fall 2026. This position involves teaching and research that extends into diverse media contexts including theatre, dance, music, and integrated opportunities. Here, "media" refers to screen-based, interactive, and immersive environments where images interact with music, narrative, space, and technology. Examples include sound creation for digital platforms such as projections, installations, video mapping, animation, and digital design, as well as live or hybrid performance work. Candidates may ground their practice in traditional theatrical sound design while demonstrating interest or emerging expertise in these areas, or bring established professional experience in media design for live and immersive performance.
Primary Responsibilities
Teach students in sound design and technology at the graduate and undergraduate levels, including introductory courses.
Oversee ongoing curriculum development of Sound Design and Technology within the UMKC Conservatory and Theatre Division.
Oversee and mentor graduate students in their coursework.
Mentor and advise students in their production work.
Oversee MFA Design and Technology - Sound Design graduate assistantship assignments.
Participate in the Conservatory Production Team, including bi-weekly meetings and occasional work calls.
Connect students with industry-standard tools, workflows, and professional portfolio development.
Maintain an active agenda of creative activity, in sound design, sound technology, and related subjects.
Engage in a variety of service activities including committees, outreach, and community partnerships.
Engage in recruitment activities, including prospective MFA student evaluation.
Collaborate with faculty across the Conservatory providing interdisciplinary experiences that train students in an integrated artist-scholar framework.
Qualifications
Terminal degree in Sound Design or equivalent professional experience (ABD considered).
Evidence of successful teaching experience, preferably at the University or professional level.
Proficiency in advanced sound design technology, including ProTools, QLab, and similar software relevant to 21st-century entertainment audio production.
Demonstrated and increasing profile of research and scholarly productivity, including sound design for the theatre, film, and emerging media forms.
Active involvement in professional organizations, with long-term potential for leadership.
Organizational and interpersonal skills necessary for success in higher education.
Previous artistic leadership, collaboration, and community engagement through performance or educational initiatives.
Anticipated Hiring Range Salary is commensurate with qualifications, experience and evidence of collaborative scholarly activity. This is a
9-month, benefit-eligible, full-time (1.0) faculty appointment eligible for tenure and promotion .
Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. The University of Missouri provides generous leave, health plans, and retirement contributions that add to your bottom line. Our academic workloads and schedules promote a positive work/life balance.
Application Materials For consideration, you must apply online at https://info.umkc.edu/hr/careers/academic-positions/ and click in Academic Positions, Job Opening ID
57577 .
Please complete the Application and submit the following materials:
A one-page letter that explains how your work in the past or in the future aligns with the Conservatory Vision Statement
https://conservatory.umkc.edu/about-us/vision-mission-principles.html
Curriculum Vitae
Current contact information for at least three professional references
Links to representative scholarly and/or artistic work
Please combine all application materials into one PDF or Microsoft Word document and upload as your resume attachments. Limit document name to 50 characters and do not include any special characters (e.g., /, &, %, etc.). Maximum size limit is 11MB.
If you are experiencing technical problems during application, please email umpshrsupport@umsystem.edu.
For questions about the position, please contact umkcfacultysearch@umkc.edu including the Job Identification number 57577 and name of the position.
Reasonable accommodations may be requested during the application and recruitment process. If you need an accommodation, please contact the Office of Equity and Title IX at (816) 235-1323.
Higher education transcripts will be required for candidates advancing as finalists. Candidates will receive prior notification if references will be contacted. A Criminal Background Check is required for the finalist offered the position.
Handling of Application Materials
After initial review by the committee all uploaded materials may be shared with all faculty in the prospective home division. For cluster appointments, materials may be shared with faculty in collaborative divisions.
Application Deadline Review of applications will begin November 1st and continue until a qualified candidate is hired.
Community Information UMKC is a public, urban, research university with more than 15,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. It is part of the University of Missouri System of four campuses and is designated Arts Campus for the UM System. The university is committed to being a model urban university that fosters partnerships with surrounding urban communities to support quality of life.
Kansas City offers a vibrant urban community with midwestern charm, cultural arts venues, and diverse opportunities. For more information, visit https://www.visitkc.com/.
Benefit Eligibility This position is eligible for University benefits, including medical, dental, and vision plans, retirement, and educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses. For more information, see https://www.umsystem.edu/totalrewards/benefits.
Equal Employment Opportunity
The University of Missouri is an Equal Opportunity Employer. To request ADA accommodations, please call the Office of Equity and Title IX at 816-235-6910.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
9-month, full-time, tenure-track position in Sound Design and Technology at the rank of Assistant Professor , beginning in Fall 2026. This position involves teaching and research that extends into diverse media contexts including theatre, dance, music, and integrated opportunities. Here, "media" refers to screen-based, interactive, and immersive environments where images interact with music, narrative, space, and technology. Examples include sound creation for digital platforms such as projections, installations, video mapping, animation, and digital design, as well as live or hybrid performance work. Candidates may ground their practice in traditional theatrical sound design while demonstrating interest or emerging expertise in these areas, or bring established professional experience in media design for live and immersive performance.
Primary Responsibilities
Teach students in sound design and technology at the graduate and undergraduate levels, including introductory courses.
Oversee ongoing curriculum development of Sound Design and Technology within the UMKC Conservatory and Theatre Division.
Oversee and mentor graduate students in their coursework.
Mentor and advise students in their production work.
Oversee MFA Design and Technology - Sound Design graduate assistantship assignments.
Participate in the Conservatory Production Team, including bi-weekly meetings and occasional work calls.
Connect students with industry-standard tools, workflows, and professional portfolio development.
Maintain an active agenda of creative activity, in sound design, sound technology, and related subjects.
Engage in a variety of service activities including committees, outreach, and community partnerships.
Engage in recruitment activities, including prospective MFA student evaluation.
Collaborate with faculty across the Conservatory providing interdisciplinary experiences that train students in an integrated artist-scholar framework.
Qualifications
Terminal degree in Sound Design or equivalent professional experience (ABD considered).
Evidence of successful teaching experience, preferably at the University or professional level.
Proficiency in advanced sound design technology, including ProTools, QLab, and similar software relevant to 21st-century entertainment audio production.
Demonstrated and increasing profile of research and scholarly productivity, including sound design for the theatre, film, and emerging media forms.
Active involvement in professional organizations, with long-term potential for leadership.
Organizational and interpersonal skills necessary for success in higher education.
Previous artistic leadership, collaboration, and community engagement through performance or educational initiatives.
Anticipated Hiring Range Salary is commensurate with qualifications, experience and evidence of collaborative scholarly activity. This is a
9-month, benefit-eligible, full-time (1.0) faculty appointment eligible for tenure and promotion .
Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. The University of Missouri provides generous leave, health plans, and retirement contributions that add to your bottom line. Our academic workloads and schedules promote a positive work/life balance.
Application Materials For consideration, you must apply online at https://info.umkc.edu/hr/careers/academic-positions/ and click in Academic Positions, Job Opening ID
57577 .
Please complete the Application and submit the following materials:
A one-page letter that explains how your work in the past or in the future aligns with the Conservatory Vision Statement
https://conservatory.umkc.edu/about-us/vision-mission-principles.html
Curriculum Vitae
Current contact information for at least three professional references
Links to representative scholarly and/or artistic work
Please combine all application materials into one PDF or Microsoft Word document and upload as your resume attachments. Limit document name to 50 characters and do not include any special characters (e.g., /, &, %, etc.). Maximum size limit is 11MB.
If you are experiencing technical problems during application, please email umpshrsupport@umsystem.edu.
For questions about the position, please contact umkcfacultysearch@umkc.edu including the Job Identification number 57577 and name of the position.
Reasonable accommodations may be requested during the application and recruitment process. If you need an accommodation, please contact the Office of Equity and Title IX at (816) 235-1323.
Higher education transcripts will be required for candidates advancing as finalists. Candidates will receive prior notification if references will be contacted. A Criminal Background Check is required for the finalist offered the position.
Handling of Application Materials
After initial review by the committee all uploaded materials may be shared with all faculty in the prospective home division. For cluster appointments, materials may be shared with faculty in collaborative divisions.
Application Deadline Review of applications will begin November 1st and continue until a qualified candidate is hired.
Community Information UMKC is a public, urban, research university with more than 15,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. It is part of the University of Missouri System of four campuses and is designated Arts Campus for the UM System. The university is committed to being a model urban university that fosters partnerships with surrounding urban communities to support quality of life.
Kansas City offers a vibrant urban community with midwestern charm, cultural arts venues, and diverse opportunities. For more information, visit https://www.visitkc.com/.
Benefit Eligibility This position is eligible for University benefits, including medical, dental, and vision plans, retirement, and educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses. For more information, see https://www.umsystem.edu/totalrewards/benefits.
Equal Employment Opportunity
The University of Missouri is an Equal Opportunity Employer. To request ADA accommodations, please call the Office of Equity and Title IX at 816-235-6910.
#J-18808-Ljbffr