Position description:
Boston University (BU) invites applications for a faculty position at the rank of non-tenure track Assistant Professor of Lighting at the School of Theatre (SOT) at the College of Fine Arts (CFA). The BFA and MFA Lighting departments at BU are leading national programs in the field, with Niche citing Boston University as one of the “Best Colleges for Performing Arts” in 2025 (#17 out of 522), as well as a “Best College for Design” in 2025 (#10 out of 491). The program and SOT are close-knit professional communities within a large tier 1 research university. We seek an artist-educator to join our faculty as a full-time Assistant Professor of Lighting Design. This is a 9‑month appointment on a three‑year renewable contract; non‑tenure‑track faculty make up the standard faculty model in the College of Fine Arts. We seek a creative, collaborative teacher who foregrounds artistic experimentation and design innovation while sustaining rigorous craft training and inclusive pedagogy. The successful candidate will mentor student designers across undergraduate and graduate programs, contribute to a lively production season, and help advance the School’s curricular goals and forward‑thinking approaches to design training.
Qualifications
The candidate should possess expertise and knowledge of the techniques, design strategies, intellectual discourse, history and current practices of lighting for the stage. The successful candidate will be well-prepared to teach students at all levels (graduate and undergraduate) in studio and seminar courses, and be able to provide strong evidence of ability to collaborate with co-educators, as well as be able to provide evidence of an established or emerging national profile in lighting design. The successful candidate should also have a significant professional lighting design portfolio demonstrating artistic accomplishment, and should have demonstrative communication and administrative skills. An MFA in Lighting Design or a closely related field, or equivalent professional experience.
The candidate is also expected to have:
- Strong production experience (in live theatre and if possible, dance) and evidence of impact in the field.
- A record of college-level/pre-professional teaching experience that demonstrates evidence of excellent mentorship and innovative pedagogy.
- Evidence of successful teaching or mentorship at the collegiate or pre‑professional level.
- Experience with digital lighting workflows and automated systems.
- Proficiency with industry software (e.g., Vectorworks, Lightwright, ETC EOS family) and familiarity with contemporary workflow best practices.
- Demonstrated commitment to inclusive pedagogy and mentoring students from diverse backgrounds.
- Active professional networks and a record of regional/national/international engagement.
BU SOT prepares students to think critically and work collaboratively about theatre, its practice, and its impact on the communities it serves. The successful candidate should be able to foster excellence and creative agency from a culturally and artistically informed position. The ability to foster and build upon interdepartmental connections is a strength of BU and central to BU SOT’s mission as a theatre school within a major research university. The candidate will ideally demonstrate excellence in interdisciplinary teaching informed by both experimentation and research and be adept at building connections with other university programs, schools and centers.
The School produces a lively, diversified season of productions in multiple performance spaces—ranging from intimate studio work to fully realized mainstage shows—giving students practical, real‑world experience in every stage of production. Our facilities include contemporary design studios and well‑equipped scene and costume workshops, supported by professional technical staff and student‑run crews.
Situated in the cultural and theatrical hub of Boston, the School connects learners with a broad network of regional companies, festivals, and arts institutions, and maintains close collaborations with the School of Music. Our graduates are collaborative, reflective artists who combine creative rigor with professional readiness to help shape the future of performance.
Applying and Materials and Review Process
Please submit the following as a single PDF or clearly labeled files via the application portal:
- Cover letter describing teaching philosophy, creative practice, and fit with BU’s program
- Curriculum vitae
- Teaching statement (including approaches to mentorship, equity, and assessment)
- Portfolio of design work (digital link preferred)
- Contact information for three professional references
Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Applicants are encouraged to apply early. Finalists will be asked to participate in an in-person interview and to present a portfolio, give a sample lecture or critique, and meet with students and faculty; on‑campus visit expenses will be reimbursed.
No email applications please.
Preference will be given to applications received by November 15, 2026, for first round interviews. Applications will be considered until the position is filled.
Since its founding in 1839, Boston University has embraced a mission of openness and access, becoming one of the first universities in the nation to welcome all students of ability regardless of race, gender, or creed. That tradition shapes our enduring commitment to academic freedom, free inquiry, and the robust exchange of ideas. Please visit https://www.bu.edu/values/ to learn more about our shared values.
We seek scholars who will contribute to our community of teachers and researchers through excellence in innovative scholarship, engaged teaching, and participation in the intellectual life of the University. Boston University provides an environment where faculty and students work together across disciplines, perspectives, and experiences to advance knowledge and address society’s most pressing challenges.
Boston University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, age, national origin, ethnicity, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the University’s Notice of Non-Discrimination. Retaliation is also prohibited. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor. Under Massachusetts law, we may not require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment.
