Visiting Assistant Professor in Music Theory (20830)

Position Details

Position Information

Working Position Title Visiting Assistant Professor in Music Theory (20830) Classification Title Visiting Assistant Professor Position Number 00020830 Posting Date 11/03/2026 Closing Date Priority Review Date 11/30/2026 Business Unit Description Faculty Full-Time/Part Time Full-Time FTE 1.00 Position Status Temporary FLSA Exempt Job Code 2090 Union Representation Non-Union Union Code N/A Unit/Department Music College/Unit College of V & P A Dean Division Academic Division Location MB 140 Link to Department Website or Custom Search Page School of Music

Position Summary, Requirements, and Qualifications

Position Summary, Requirements, and Qualifications

Overview

The School of Music at Northern Illinois University welcomes applications for a one-year, full-time Visiting Assistant Professor position in Music Theory, with an anticipated start date in Fall 2027.

The School of Music is a vibrant facet of the NIU campus that prides itself on strong support of first-generation undergraduate students, providing readily available resources for faculty-directed study and research opportunities. It offers undergraduate- and masters-level programs in performance, music education, composition, and liberal arts. It also offers a Performance Certificate for students who have completed a masters degree. The distinguished faculty are Fulbright Scholars, Grammy Award Winners, Chamber Music America and MacArthur Foundation Grants recipients, residents at Jazz at Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall, guest conductors at Avery Fisher Hall, and commercial recording artists who perform regularly at significant international and national venues. The NIU Graduate Jazz Studies Program was recognized by U.S. News and World Report as one of the ten best in the nation.

The university is located approximately 65 miles from downtown Chicago and is a short drive from the vibrant western suburbs. NIU is a student-centered, research-focused public university contributing to the advancement of knowledge for the benefit of the people of the region, the state, the nation, and the world. With this vision, the mission of the university is to promote excellence and engagement in teaching, learning, research, scholarship, creativity, artistry, outreach and service. NIU is classified by the Carnegie Foundation as an R2: Higher Research Activity institution as well as an institution of community engagement.

Position Summary

This is a one year Visiting Assistant Professor position. Pending university funding, the School of Music plans to search for a tenure track Full Time music theory position starting in Fall 2029.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Teach three undergraduate and graduate music theory courses each semester, including Theory III, IV, V, Graduate Theory Review, or a graduate theory elective.
• Engage in creative/scholarly activity, and service contributions appropriate for a visiting faculty member.

Minimum Required Qualifications

• Terminal degree in music theory. (ABD candidates will be considered but must have completed a doctoral degree prior to appointment)
• Successful record of teaching music theory at the collegiate level.

Additional Requirements

• Demonstrated commitment to student success, particularly for first-generation and traditionally under-represented groups.

Preferred Qualifications

• Two or more years of teaching music theory as instructor of record at the collegiate level
• Experience teaching graduate-level theory courses
• Record of scholarly publications

Physical Demands Summary

For physical demands and requirements please see human resources policies and protocols.

Appointment and Compensation Details

Appointment and Compensation Details

Anticipated Appointment Start Date 08/16/2027 Anticipated Appointment End Date 05/15/2028 Percent of Staff Year 0.75 Standard Hours Per Week 37.50 Salary $60,000.12 Hourly or Semi-monthly Pay Rate/Range $3,333.34 Earn Type Salary

Application Procedure

Application Procedure

Application Procedure

For full consideration, prospective applicants should visit Visiting Assistant Professor in Music Theory to create an application profile and submit the following materials by November 30, 2026:

• Cover letter
• Statement of teaching philosophy (including strategies for ensuring student success at the undergraduate and graduate level)
• Curriculum vitae (CV)
• At least two samples of scholarship, such as conference papers, published articles or book chapters
• Names and contact information of three professional references
• Unofficial transcript (Official transcript required upon hire)

To receive full consideration, completed applications must be received by November 30, 2026. Applications received after this date may be considered until the position is filled.

Special Instructions

Please click on Human Resource Services - Benefits for detailed information about Northern Illinois University's benefits package.

Employment is contingent upon your passing a criminal background investigation. You may not begin work until the criminal background investigation results have been received and cleared by Human Resources.

Quick Link to Applicant https://employment.niu.edu/postings/98288 Is Background Check Required Yes EEO Statement Summary

In accordance with applicable statutes and regulations, NIU is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, religion, age, disability (physical and mental), marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender (identity and expression), political affiliation, or any other factor unrelated to professional qualifications, and will comply with all applicable federal and state statutes, regulations and orders pertaining to nondiscrimination, equal opportunity and affirmative action.

The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:

Director of Civil Rights Office, Title IX Coordinator

Health Services 2nd floor

CivilRights@niu.edu

815-753-0455

Visa Policy

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.

ADA Accommodation

NIU remains committed to ensuring that its recruitment and application procedures include full opportunities for applicants with disabilities. Employment opportunities will not be denied to anyone because of the need to make accommodations for a person's disability during either the application or interview process. An applicant who believes they require an accommodation to participate in the employment process due to a disability may request that accommodation through the Accommodation Request Form. For further assistance, please contact the office of Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity (AAEO) at ada@niu.edu.

Safety Information

NIU provides annual reports on campus security and fire safety.

Read the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report.

Contact the Ethics and Compliance Office at 815-753-9364 for a hard copy.

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

• Cover Letter
• Statement of Teaching Philosophy
• Resume/Curriculum Vitae
• Sample Publications
• List of at least 3 Professional References
• Transcripts (unofficial with official required at hire)

Optional Documents

• Other
• Other #2

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).