Assistant Professor - Jazz and Commercial Music

College: College of Humanities, Social Sciences, and The Arts - 321 College
Dept/School: Music - 32111
Vacancy Number: 16F-760
Position Number: 6213
Location of Workplace: Main UNCW Campus

Brief Summary of Work for this Position:
The Department of Music at the University of North Carolina Wilmington is seeking an Assistant Professor of Jazz and Commercial Music, a nine-month tenure-track position, starting August 2026.

This is an opportunity to join a faculty of teaching artists and scholars who are dedicated to student-centered learning and to growth in new and current programs. The ideal candidate will demonstrate excellence in teaching, engagement in significant creative/scholarly activities, and an ability to work effectively with faculty colleagues across all degree areas.

Responsibilities include: teaching undergraduate courses in Jazz Studies and Commercial Music (Arranging, Keyboard & Theory, Improvisation, Combo) and an Applied area which complements the current faculty, and fulfilling other departmental needs as assigned by the chair, advising students, serving on committees, and contributing to an inclusive and equitable community within the department, college, and university.
Additionally, the successful candidate may teach rotating courses in Music Technology (Intro to Music Technology, Digital Music Production, Live Sound Production).

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:

• Ph.D., D.M.A., or ABD in Music degree at time of application. **Applicants who are ABD will be considered; however, doctoral degree must be conferred by August 1, 2026 to be eligible for employment.
• Experience and expertise in teaching jazz or commercial music at the college/university level.
• Evidence of ongoing performance activity (live performances, commercial recordings, projects).
• Demonstrated professional experience as a jazz or commercial music arranger and/or composer.

Preferred Education, Knowledge, Skills & Experience:
Preference will be given to candidates with:

• Evidence of teaching and recruiting an applied studio (jazz piano, bass, drums, trombone).
• Experience in teaching jazz or commercial music arranging and/or composition.
• Experience in teaching music technology.
• Demonstrated commitment to educational outreach.

Required Certifications or Licensure:
N/A

Primary Function of Organizational Unit:
The Department of Music is committed to fostering an inclusive teaching and learning environment through its curricula, as well as the artistic endeavors of students and faculty. In addition, the Department of Music is dedicated to nurturing excellence in performance, teaching and scholarship by guiding and preparing students through a comprehensive curriculum that provides a strong foundation for an array of opportunities in the music profession, as well as for graduate study in a range of music specialties. The Department of Music offers two undergraduate curricula, the Bachelor of Arts in Music with options in Performance, Jazz Studies, Music Technology and General Studies, and the Bachelor of Music in Music Education.

College/School Information:
The College of Humanities, Social Sciences, and the Arts (CHSSA) is home to 14 academic departments and offers a wide variety of undergraduate and graduate degree programs including the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Bachelor of Music, Master of Arts, Master of Fine Arts, and Master of Public Administration as well as combined bachelor's/master's degree programs in Spanish and English. The CHSSA also houses the Gender Studies and Research Center and the Academic Resource Center, which offers full-service, professional advising for all CHSSA undergraduate students.

In addition, the CHSSA offers a full complement of interdisciplinary minors and post baccalaureate certificates including: Africana studies, American studies, Asian studies, classical studies, conflict management and resolution, emergency and disaster management, forensic science, Hispanic studies, journalism, Latin American studies, medical humanities, Middle East and Islamic studies, Native American studies, professional writing and publishing, science and medical writing, and women's, gender, and sexuality studies.

The CHSSA contributes significantly to the curriculum that comprises UNCW's University Studies Program, through which all undergraduates gain a foundation in the liberal arts and develop the transferable skills essential for life in the twenty-first century. The CHSSA strives in its undergraduate programs and in its University Study offerings to nurture creative thinking, intellectual curiosity, and academic integrity in students while providing them with a solid foundation of knowledge in their chosen fields. Graduate programs in the CHSSA are designed to develop intellectual competence and to prepare the student for careers in business, industry, government, teaching or for further study at the doctoral level.

Applied learning is a hallmark of the student experience in the College of Humanities, Social Sciences, and the Arts. Each of the CHSSA's departments requires an applied learning experience as a part of the curriculum for its undergraduate majors. Examples include faculty-directed research, internships, service learning, and capstone courses and projects, all of which challenge students to integrate various strands of knowledge and to apply that knowledge to broader, real-world or real disciplinary situations.

Upon completion of their studies, all CHSSA students will have the necessary preparation for rewarding careers, advanced study, effective citizenship, and meaningful lives. The College of Humanities, Social Science, and the Arts offers limitless opportunities to engage in collaborative and interdisciplinary research and service while also making a positive societal impact. Come and join our vibrant academic environment that values discovery, innovation, and creativity.



University Information:
The University of North Carolina Wilmington, the state's coastal university, is dedicated to the integration of teaching, mentoring, research and service. Widely acknowledged for its world-class faculty and staff and continuously recognized at a national level for scholarly excellence and affordability, UNCW offers a powerful academic experience that stimulates creative inquiry and critical thinking.

A public institution with nearly 18,000 students, UNCW offers a full range of baccalaureate- and graduate-level programs, as well as doctoral degrees in educational leadership, marine biology, nursing practice and psychology; and many distance learning options, including clinical research, an accelerated RN-to-BSN program, an Executive M.B.A. program structured for working professionals, and the nation's only bachelor's degree program focused on coastal engineering.

The university's efforts to advance research and scholarly activities have earned UNCW the elevated designation of 'Doctoral Universities: High Research Activity' institution (R2 University) by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.

UNCW has been part of the University of North Carolina System since 1969.

Eligibility for Employment:
Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. UNC Wilmington participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.

Number of Openings: Single Incumbent

Special Notes to Applicants:
Prior to the official appointment to the university, the candidate(s) selected for hire must be able to demonstrate eligibility to teach assigned courses by successfully meeting the credentialing requirements based on official transcripts and other documentation as required.

Applications will be accepted until 11:59PM EST on the posting closing date.
To apply, please complete the online application below and attach the following materials as an Adobe PDF document including:

• Cover Letter/Letter of Application that includes a 1 to 2 page statement addressing the qualifications cited above and addressed to the Search Committee Chair.
• Curriculum Vitae.
• 3 pieces of evidence of professional activity in jazz and/or commercial music. Examples may include projects, performance videos, arrangements/compositions, and professional recordings.
• 2 pieces of evidence of teaching jazz and/or commercial music. Examples may include course syllabi, assignments, and a teaching video in class and/or applied settings.
• List of 3 Professional references.
• If needed, applicants may upload additional materials under the Other category.

Please note that a minimum of three references are required for all applications. References will be requested during the screening process.

Letters of application without the requested components will not meet the application requirements.

For questions about the position or online application process, contact the UNCW Department of Music administrative associate, Sydney Stone: stones@uncw.edu

Position Type: Permanent
Job Posting Date: 12/16/2025
Job Close Date: 1/26/2026

To apply, visit https://jobs.uncw.edu/postings/38166

UNCW does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of his or her race, sex (such as gender, gender identity, marital status, childbirth, and pregnancy), age, color, national origin (including ethnicity), religion, disability, sexual orientation, political affiliation, veteran status, military service member status, genetic information, or relationship to other university constituents - except where sex, age, or ability represent bona fide educational or occupational qualifications or where marital status is a statutorily established eligibility criterion for State funded employee benefit programs.







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