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Western Washington U

Assistant Professor of Musicology

Western Washington U, Bellingham, Washington, us, 98227

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About the Department The College of Fine and Performing Arts and the Departments of Music support Western’s mission, which states that together with our students, staff, and faculty, we are committed to making a positive impact in the state and the world with a shared focus on academic excellence and inclusive achievement. The College of Fine and Performing Arts comprises the departments of Art/Art History, Design, Music, and Theatre and Dance, housed in eight buildings with five performance spaces, including a Performing Arts Center overlooking Bellingham Bay. The College also is home to the Music Library and Western Gallery and Public Art Collection, one of the top ten outdoor sculpture collections in the country.

The Department of Music advances artistry, creativity, pedagogy, and scholarship as modeled and guided by faculty and realized by the undergraduate and graduate population. We are a collaborative community where the love of music is acted upon with vibrancy and unity.

The Department of Music serves over 200 undergraduate majors and 16 graduate students annually, and offers BA, BMus and MMus degrees in multiple concentration areas, as well as minors in Music and Jazz Studies. The Department is comprised of twenty full-time faculty and approximately thirty-six part-time faculty, and serves as a focal point for the campus and the regional community through collaboration, participation and leadership in music performance and instruction. Visit the Music Department’s website at https://cfpa.wwu.edu/music for more information.

About the Position The Department of Music at Western Washington University seeks a dynamic, student-centered artist/scholar to serve as Assistant Professor of Musicology. This is a full-time, tenure-track position, anticipated to begin on September 16, 2026. Duties will include teaching graduate and undergraduate academic courses in musicology—including survey courses for non-majors—as well as committee service and substantive research and/or creative activity. The ideal candidate will be experienced in fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive learning environment, and will be proactive in seeking collaborative opportunities with peers. They will nurture and sustain the Musicology program in its various facets, including pedagogy and curriculum, thesis advising, curating guest artists and presenters, and scholarship.

Position Responsibilities

Teaching – Courses covering both historical musicology and ethnomusicology including Undergraduate Series in Musicology (incorporating topics and case studies in historical musicology, ethnomusicology, and popular music), Survey of World Music Cultures (a General University Requirement course serving students of all majors), and Undergraduate and Graduate Topical Seminars in Musicology. The successful candidate will be expected to fulfill teaching and mentoring responsibilities that provide equitable and inclusive learning environments for all students.

Service – Manage all aspects of the Musicology Program; Mentor/supervise theses and independent studies for undergraduate and graduate students in the Musicology Program; Participate in service activities within the Department, College, and University as assigned; Recruit and retain students in the undergraduate Musicology Major and graduate Musicology MMus Concentration; Coordinate the Music Cultural Concert Series (one performance per year); Maintain a presence in relevant professional associations.

Scholarship – Engage in relevant creative/scholarly activity in the field of Musicology; Maintain an active creative/scholarly profile in the community, state, and region.

Required Qualifications

Earned PhD at time of application in Historical Musicology, Musicology, or Ethnomusicology.

Evidence of effective teaching at the university level.

Evidence of strong communication and interpersonal skills.

Preferred Qualifications

Evidence of experience engaging with both historical and ethnomusicological topics and practices in the classroom.

Demonstrated leadership, service, and/or administrative experience.

Demonstrated record of scholarship, ideally highlighting BIPOC, LGBTQ+, women, and/or other underrepresented areas of musicological research and inquiry.

Experience with creative thinking and integrating technologies in pedagogical environments.Evidence of upper-division and/or graduate topical course development.

Participation in relevant professional associations.

Conditions of Employment All employees must comply with our Immunization policies, including Proof of Rubeola/Measles Immunity within 60‑days of hire. Please reach out to HR@wwu.edu if you need information regarding medical or religious exemption and applicable accommodations.

The starting salary range for assistant professor appointment, tenure‑track is generally between $68,000‑$73,000, with placement within the position’s salary range being based on qualifications and professional experience. The entire salary range for the assistant professor position is $68,000‑$81,000, with the upper end of the salary range typically being achieved through collectively bargained salary adjustments.

Relocation assistance may be available per University guidelines. Salary and Start‑up funds are to be determined upon being offered the position.

Application Requirements A cover letter and curriculum vitae are required and should address your experience related to the position responsibilities, how you meet the required and preferred qualifications, and your teaching philosophy and interest.

You will be asked to provide contact information of three references.

Required Supplemental Materials 1) Statement (one‑page) discussing your ability and commitment to work effectively with underrepresented students and to foster and promote an environment of accessibility, diversity, equity, and inclusion (ADEI); you may draw upon your personal as well as professional experience. For more information about Western’s commitment to and work on ADEI, see https://www.wwu.edu/diversity.

2) Sample of recent scholarship.

Closing Date Notes Review of applications will begin December 1, 2025. Position finalists will be contacted for in‑person or remote interviews and may be asked to demonstrate teaching either in person or via video. Position will remain open until filled.

Equal Opportunity Statement Western Washington University (WWU) is an equal opportunity employer. In compliance with applicable laws, WWU does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, age, citizenship or immigration status, pregnancy, use of protective leave, genetic status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, creed, religion, veteran or military status, disability or the use of a trained guide dog or service animal (including a service animal in training) by a person with a disability, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law, in its programs or activities, including employment, admissions, and educational programs. See WWU’s Policies on Prohibiting Discrimination Based on A Protected Class and Prohibiting Discrimination Based on Sex. Inquiries may be directed to the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance, Title IX and ADA Coordinator, Western Washington University, Old Main 126 (MS 9021), 516 High Street, Bellingham, WA 98225; 360.650.3307 (voice) or 711 (Washington Relay); crtc@wwu.edu

WWU is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. To request this document in an alternate format or to request an accommodation, please contact Human Resources Disability Services, 360.650.3751 or 711 (Washington Relay).

Annual Security and Fire Safety Report: This report is provided pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (“The Clery Act”). It includes statistics for the previous three calendar years concerning reported crimes that occurred on Western’s campus; in certain off‑campus buildings or property owned or controlled by Western; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus. The report also includes institutional policies concerning campus security, such as policies concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. You can obtain a copy of this report in printed or alternate formats by contacting the Office of Student Life at student.life@wwu.edu. The report can be found at: Annual Security and Fire Safety Report.

All new employees must comply with the immunization policy and show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Service before beginning work at WWU. A thorough background check will be conducted on all new hires and rehires, which includes a sexual misconduct background check.

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