Assistant Professor, Musicology (Tenure-Track)

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The Faculty of Music at Wilfrid Laurier University invites applications for a Tenure Track position at the level of Assistant Professor in Musicology with a focus on Popular Music, commencing July 1, 2026. We seek a dynamic scholar able to address fundamental questions in Popular Music scholarship. The successful candidate will be expected to design and teach undergraduate courses in Popular Music that are part of the second and third year Core Curriculum, including Music in Popular Culture, Popular Music and Globalization. They will be able to apply theories of race, gender, sexuality and/or decolonialization to popular music in music historical and musicological contexts and be well-versed in popular music history, its global reach, core research topics, and its range of methodologies. Other courses that may be part of the teaching load include Women, Music, and Gender; and Public Musicology. A possibility also exists to develop elective courses in Jazz Topics, Music on Stage and Screen, Music and Colonialism/Postcolonialism, or another area of the candidate’s expertise, at the undergraduate or graduate levels.

The successful candidate will hold a Ph.D in Musicology/Ethnomusicology with a focus on Popular Music. The preferred candidate will have peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations in Popular Music, and 3+ years of teaching experience at the university level. Though not required, preference will be given to candidates with knowledge of Global Music History as defined by IMS and AMS. Fluency with other genres of music such as Broadway, film music and/or jazz is also an asset. The successful candidate will demonstrate a commitment to an ethical, inclusive, anti-racist, anti-oppressive practice.

Laurier’s renowned Faculty of Music is dedicated to fostering artistic and scholarly development of the highest calibre, and to providing a creative environment for student success. Our degree concentrations, graduate and diploma programs, coupled with the addition of the Laurier Academy of Music and Arts, makes the Faculty of Music and Waterloo, Ontario a desired location for quality university and preparatory music education. The Faculty offers undergraduate and graduate degrees (Masters and PhD), and a newly launched certificate program: Navigating the Music Industry Ecosystem. The faculty is comprised of distinguished scholars, performers, educators, and community musicians who are committed to providing students a world-class education.
As global innovators in music, the Faculty of Music offers opportunities to enhance student creativity and choice with partnerships at schools like Metalworks Institute and Randolph College For The Performing Arts. The Faculty is also home to two cutting-edge research centres: The Manfred and Penny Conrad Institute for Music Therapy Research and the Laurier Centre for Music in the Community. These centres are dedicated to advancing knowledge in music therapy and community music, respectively.

RESPONSIBILITIES
• Develop core courses at the undergraduate level, including Music in Popular Culture, Popular Music and Globalization.
• Teach courses at the undergraduate level, which may include Women, Music, and Gender; Public Musicology, Music of the Afrodiaspora; and develop courses to meet the changing needs of our faculty, for instance, in Jazz Topics; Music on Stage and Screen; Music and Colonialism/Postcolonialism; and/or other courses at the undergraduate and/or graduate level.
• Build a strong research program in relevant fields.
• Contribute to service through administrative leadership, committee work.
• Collaborate actively with colleagues in program development and planning.

QUALIFICATIONS
Candidates must have:

• A PhD in Musicology/Ethnomusicology with a specialization in Popular Music.
• 3+ years teaching experience in Popular Music at the college or university level.
• Evidence of successful teaching record at the undergraduate level.
• A track record of peer-reviewed publications.
• A track record of conference presentations and other scholarly activity.
• An approach to teaching and research that demonstrates a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Strong administrative skills.

PREFERENCE

• Knowledge and capacity to work in Global Music History and/or a broader understanding of music histories outside/beyond Europe.

ASSETS

• Experience developing undergraduate courses in Popular Music.
• Evidence of awards and/or grants in Popular Music research.
• Expertise to teach pre-existing courses in the curriculum including, Women, Music, and Gender; Public Musicology; Music of the Afrodiaspora.
• Capacity/expertise to develop courses that meet the changing needs of our faculty, for example Jazz Topics; Music on Stage and Screen; Music and Colonialism/Postcolonialism.

HOW TO APPLY

Applicants should send
• a letter of application that addresses the above qualifications;
• a curriculum vitae;
• a research statement outlining research program over next 5 years (approximately 2 pages or 500 words);
• teaching dossier that includes but is not limited to philosophy of teaching statement, past course syllabi, evidence of successful teaching, course evaluations;
• 2-3 page sample course syllabi for Music in Popular Culture; & Popular Music and Globalization;
• maximum 3 brief descriptions of potential courses the candidate could teach and/or develop at the undergraduate and/or graduate levels;
• contact information for 3 referees, who will be contacted if the candidate is shortlisted.

Contact information of three academic referees willing to provide a letter of reference should also be included. Only complete applications will be considered. All applications must include the Position Number 10291, and should be addressed electronically to:
Kirsten Yri
Faculty Search Committee Chair
Faculty of Music
Wilfrid Laurier University
musicjobs@wlu.ca

Application deadline is December 1, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. EST.

See official job posting for full details: https://careers.wlu.ca/job/Waterloo-Assistant-Professor%2C-Musicology-%28Tenure-Track-Appointment%29-ON/1290412247/

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