University of California - Riverside
Adjunct Assistant Professor - Screenwriting and Writing for Television
University of California - Riverside, Riverside, California, United States, 92504
Position Overview
Position title:
Adjunct Assistant Professor
Salary range:
$13,466.67 per course, per quarter
Anticipated start:
March 30, 2026
Application Window Open date:
December 22, 2025
Next review date:
Monday, Jan 26, 2026 at 11:59 pm (Pacific Time) – Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.
Final date:
Monday, Jan 26, 2026 at 11:59 pm (Pacific Time) – Applications will continue to be accepted until this date.
Position Description The Department of Theatre, Film, and Digital Production seeks an Adjunct Assistant Professor in Screenwriting with demonstrated expertise in writing for Television for Spring 2026. The successful candidate will teach two courses: an undergraduate course (TFDP 166C – Rewriting the Screenplay) and an MFA course (CWPA 268 – Writing the Half-Hour Television Comedy). We are particularly interested in candidates with professional credits in screenwriting and TV writing, who can connect students to the professional world of film, television, and streaming content. Candidates should demonstrate a strong commitment to inclusive teaching practices, student mentorship, and fostering creative development within a diverse student body.
Key Responsibilities
Teach a range of Screenwriting and writing for Television for both the undergraduate and MFA levels.
Prepare and deliver dynamic, engaging lectures and workshops that reflect current industry practices and artistic trends.
Develop and update course materials, including syllabi, readings, writing assignments, and project guidelines that reflect best practices in Screenwriting.
Provide individualized and group feedback to support students’ artistic growth and technical skill development in storytelling, structure, and voice.
Assess and evaluate student work, including written scripts and performance-based projects, with transparency and consistency using established rubrics.
Foster a collaborative classroom environment that encourages critical thinking, creative risk‑taking, and professional discipline.
Stay current on evolving industry standards, platforms, and formats, particularly in television, digital storytelling, and new media.
Collaborate with colleagues in Theatre, Film, and Digital Production to ensure alignment with departmental learning goals and interdisciplinary initiatives.
Support student career development by leveraging professional networks and facilitating industry connections through guest speakers, panels, and mentorship.
Required Qualifications
Terminal degree (MFA, PhD) in Screenwriting, Playwriting, Creative Writing, Theatre, Film, Television, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
Demonstrated professional credits in screenwriting and/or television writing.
Documented experience teaching at the college or university level.
Demonstrated ability to engage students in both the theoretical and practical aspects of writing for stage and screen.
Strong understanding of storytelling structure, character development, genre conventions, and comedic timing across multiple media platforms.
Familiarity with the professional standards and practices of the film and television industry, including writers’ room dynamics, pitching, and production processes.
Proven ability to provide constructive feedback on student work and support artistic development in a collaborative, inclusive classroom environment.
Demonstrated commitment to fostering belonging, opportunity, accessibility, and respect in teaching and creative practice.
Preferred Qualifications
Professional experience in television writing, including half‑hour or digital series, late‑night, or sketch formats.
Professional experience in Playwriting.
Experience teaching undergraduate and graduate students in screenwriting.
Ability to leverage professional networks to bring in guest speakers, panels, or workshops with industry professionals from film and television.
Familiarity with emerging trends and technologies in storytelling, including streaming platforms, digital media, and new formats.
Experience mentoring students and supporting their transition from academic work to professional pathways in theatre, film, and television.
Ability to adapt teaching methods to suit diverse learning styles, cultural backgrounds, and levels of writing experience.
Demonstrated interest in collaborative, interdisciplinary approaches to storytelling that align with the department’s focus on theatre, film, and digital production.
A record of professional and/or university teaching experience.
Ability to bring in industry professionals as guest speakers or collaborators.
Experience teaching both undergraduate and graduate students.
Familiarity with current industry trends in film, television writing and playwriting.
Application Instructions Applicants must apply online at
https://aprecruit.ucr.edu/JPF02205 . Review of applications will begin January 26, 2026.
Document requirements
Curriculum Vitae – most recently updated C.V.
Cover Letter (Letter of Application)
Statement of Teaching
Statement of Research (Optional)
Evidence of Teaching Experience – 1–3 sample syllabi of previously taught courses or a sample of student evaluations (narrative and numerical)
Reference requirements
3 letters of reference required – letters must be confidential and uploaded directly through the AP Recruit system.
Job Location Riverside, CA
Contact Help contact: benicia@ucr.edu
Equal Opportunity The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories under state or federal law. It is the policy of the University of California to undertake affirmative action and anti‑discrimination efforts, consistent with its obligations as a Federal and State contractor.
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Adjunct Assistant Professor
Salary range:
$13,466.67 per course, per quarter
Anticipated start:
March 30, 2026
Application Window Open date:
December 22, 2025
Next review date:
Monday, Jan 26, 2026 at 11:59 pm (Pacific Time) – Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.
Final date:
Monday, Jan 26, 2026 at 11:59 pm (Pacific Time) – Applications will continue to be accepted until this date.
Position Description The Department of Theatre, Film, and Digital Production seeks an Adjunct Assistant Professor in Screenwriting with demonstrated expertise in writing for Television for Spring 2026. The successful candidate will teach two courses: an undergraduate course (TFDP 166C – Rewriting the Screenplay) and an MFA course (CWPA 268 – Writing the Half-Hour Television Comedy). We are particularly interested in candidates with professional credits in screenwriting and TV writing, who can connect students to the professional world of film, television, and streaming content. Candidates should demonstrate a strong commitment to inclusive teaching practices, student mentorship, and fostering creative development within a diverse student body.
Key Responsibilities
Teach a range of Screenwriting and writing for Television for both the undergraduate and MFA levels.
Prepare and deliver dynamic, engaging lectures and workshops that reflect current industry practices and artistic trends.
Develop and update course materials, including syllabi, readings, writing assignments, and project guidelines that reflect best practices in Screenwriting.
Provide individualized and group feedback to support students’ artistic growth and technical skill development in storytelling, structure, and voice.
Assess and evaluate student work, including written scripts and performance-based projects, with transparency and consistency using established rubrics.
Foster a collaborative classroom environment that encourages critical thinking, creative risk‑taking, and professional discipline.
Stay current on evolving industry standards, platforms, and formats, particularly in television, digital storytelling, and new media.
Collaborate with colleagues in Theatre, Film, and Digital Production to ensure alignment with departmental learning goals and interdisciplinary initiatives.
Support student career development by leveraging professional networks and facilitating industry connections through guest speakers, panels, and mentorship.
Required Qualifications
Terminal degree (MFA, PhD) in Screenwriting, Playwriting, Creative Writing, Theatre, Film, Television, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
Demonstrated professional credits in screenwriting and/or television writing.
Documented experience teaching at the college or university level.
Demonstrated ability to engage students in both the theoretical and practical aspects of writing for stage and screen.
Strong understanding of storytelling structure, character development, genre conventions, and comedic timing across multiple media platforms.
Familiarity with the professional standards and practices of the film and television industry, including writers’ room dynamics, pitching, and production processes.
Proven ability to provide constructive feedback on student work and support artistic development in a collaborative, inclusive classroom environment.
Demonstrated commitment to fostering belonging, opportunity, accessibility, and respect in teaching and creative practice.
Preferred Qualifications
Professional experience in television writing, including half‑hour or digital series, late‑night, or sketch formats.
Professional experience in Playwriting.
Experience teaching undergraduate and graduate students in screenwriting.
Ability to leverage professional networks to bring in guest speakers, panels, or workshops with industry professionals from film and television.
Familiarity with emerging trends and technologies in storytelling, including streaming platforms, digital media, and new formats.
Experience mentoring students and supporting their transition from academic work to professional pathways in theatre, film, and television.
Ability to adapt teaching methods to suit diverse learning styles, cultural backgrounds, and levels of writing experience.
Demonstrated interest in collaborative, interdisciplinary approaches to storytelling that align with the department’s focus on theatre, film, and digital production.
A record of professional and/or university teaching experience.
Ability to bring in industry professionals as guest speakers or collaborators.
Experience teaching both undergraduate and graduate students.
Familiarity with current industry trends in film, television writing and playwriting.
Application Instructions Applicants must apply online at
https://aprecruit.ucr.edu/JPF02205 . Review of applications will begin January 26, 2026.
Document requirements
Curriculum Vitae – most recently updated C.V.
Cover Letter (Letter of Application)
Statement of Teaching
Statement of Research (Optional)
Evidence of Teaching Experience – 1–3 sample syllabi of previously taught courses or a sample of student evaluations (narrative and numerical)
Reference requirements
3 letters of reference required – letters must be confidential and uploaded directly through the AP Recruit system.
Job Location Riverside, CA
Contact Help contact: benicia@ucr.edu
Equal Opportunity The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories under state or federal law. It is the policy of the University of California to undertake affirmative action and anti‑discrimination efforts, consistent with its obligations as a Federal and State contractor.
#J-18808-Ljbffr