Tenure-Track ASSISTANT PROFESSOR of Sound & Technology / UMKC CONSERVATORY / Theatre Division

UNIVERSITY of MISSOURI-KANSAS CITY

CONSERVATORY

Theatre Division / Sound & Technology

Integrated Arts Faculty Cluster Hire:

Sound, Composition and Digital & Immersive Media

The UMKC Conservatory is a vibrant community of artists, educators, and scholars located in the heart of Kansas City's thriving arts corridor. Committed to fostering excellence, innovation, and equity, the Conservatory prepares students to become leading performers, educators, and scholar-artists. As part of a Carnegie rated R-1 public research university, the Conservatory offers exceptional opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration, community engagement, and global impact.

We seek candidates who:

• help build the future of performance, education and research in the performing arts;
• demonstrate a growth mindset, with an understanding that learning is an ongoing process;
• believe that art has the power to help us understand ourselves, each other, and our culture while empowering us to move that culture forward;
• engage in work that appeals to, and positively impacts, the global population;
• adapt to the opportunities in their regions, and to expanding frameworks of collaboration.

At the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory, we take pride in fostering collaboration across the divisions of music, dance, and theatre, and in advancing the integration of art forms through our research and creative work. Our integrated arts approach intentionally weaves together multiple art forms to deepen learning, expand artistic practice, and enrich audience experiences.

To prepare students for 21st-century careers in the arts, the Conservatory proposes a Sound, Composition, and Digital & Immersive Media Faculty Cohort-three faculty positions across divisions, each with distinct yet complementary roles. Together, they form a hub for applied creativity, industry engagement, and innovative pedagogy.

Members of this cohort will play a central role in modernizing and enriching curricula within their respective divisions, ensuring students are equipped with the skills and perspectives needed in today's professional landscape. Each faculty member will contribute disciplinary expertise while actively seeking points of intersection that expand creative possibilities for students. Our goal is to enhance existing degree programs, rather than to establish new ones, by integrating contemporary practices, collaborative projects, and industry-informed approaches that prepare graduates for evolving careers in the performing arts and related fields.

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.

• Terminal degree in Sound Design or Equivalent professional experience (ABD considered).
• Evidence of successful teaching experience, preferably at the University / 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.

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.

For consideration, you must apply online at https://info.umkc.edu/hr/careers/academic-positions/ 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.

Review of applications will begin November 1^st and continue until a qualified candidate is hired.

UMKC is a public, urban, research university with more than 15,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. It is part of the larger University of Missouri System of four campuses. UMKC is the designated Arts Campus for the UM System. Our university is committed to being a model urban university that is recognized for our partnerships with surrounding urban communities to effectively foster a healthy, safe, and more economically secure quality of life.

A City on the Rise: Big City Life and Midwest Charm, Kansas City offers the best of both worlds - a vibrant, urban community with midwestern appeal and an affordable cost of living. Our UMKC campuses are centered in the hubs of cultural arts, business activity, (some great barbeque and ethnic cuisine!), trendy neighborhoods, and health science research engagement for both KC campuses. As one of the largest cities in Missouri, we are home to the internationally acclaimed Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, a rich history of jazz, cultural arts and music venues, a new international airport, national championship sports teams, NASCAR racing, and a community that is very engaged with and supportive of our university initiatives. Our beautiful state has rolling hills, rivers, lakes, and long bike/hiking trails all within a short drive for those that enjoy time in the great outdoors. Kansas City offers something for everyone! https://www.visitkc.com/

This position is eligible for University benefits. As part of your total compensation, the University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement, and educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses. For additional information on University benefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at 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 & Title IX at 816-235-6910.