"Assistant Professor in Music Theory (Popular Music)"

The Faculty of Music at Wilfrid Laurier University invites applications for a Tenure Track position at the level of Assistant Professor in Music Theory with a focus on Popular Music, commencing July 1, 2026, subject to budgetary approval. We seek a dynamic scholar able to address fundamental questions in Popular Music Theory scholarship. The successful candidate will be expected to teach undergraduate courses in Popular Music that are part of the first- and second-year Core Curriculum, including Theory I: Foundations, Theory II: Functional Grammars, Theory III: Popular Music 1950–1991, Theory IV: Popular Music Since 1991. They will be up to date on the most current scholarship in the theory and analysis of popular music of the Rock tradition, Pop, Rap, Hip Hop, and EDM. Other courses that may be part of the teaching load, dependant on the incumbent’s interest and expertise, include upper division courses in Popular Music Analysis, Songwriting, Jazz Harmony, music theory courses in the European Classical tradition, Aural Skills, or other courses the candidate might propose and design at the undergraduate or graduate level.

The successful candidate will hold a Ph.D. in Music Theory 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. Fluency with other genres of music, such as Broadway, video game music, film music and/or jazz, or candidates with a background as a performer/practitioner in Popular Music are assets. 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 Theory III: Popular Music 1950-1991 and Theory IV: Popular Music Since 1991.
• Collaborate with current Music Theory faculty to coordinate the broader Music Theory curriculum and the curricular integration of Classical and Popular musics.
• Teach courses at the undergraduate level, which will include Music Theory III: Popular Music 1950-1991 and Theory IV: Popular Music Since 1991 and other courses in the candidate’s interest and expertise.
• 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 Music Theory with a specialization in Popular Music, completed by July 1, 2026.
• 3+ years teaching experience in Music Theory at the college or university level, inclusive of teaching done as a graduate T.A. (where the T.A. delivered all lectures).
• 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 evidence of commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Strong administrative skills.

PREFERENCES

• While ABD’s will be considered, we prefer a Candidate with the PhD completed.

ASSETS

• Experience developing undergraduate courses in Popular Music Theory.
• Evidence of awards and/or grants in Popular Music research.
• Expertise to teach pre-existing courses in the curriculum including Songwriting, Jazz Harmony, upper division courses in the analysis of popular music, theory or analysis courses in the European Classical tradition,
• Expertise to coach undergraduate popular music combos/bands.
• Capacity/expertise to develop courses that meet the changing needs of our faculty, for example Jazz Topics; Film/Video Game music.

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 Theory III: Popular Music 1950-1991; and Theory IV: Popular Music since 1991;
• 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.
• ABD Candidates must submit a representative chapter of their dissertation, in progress.
• Contact information of three academic referees willing to provide a letter of reference.

All applications should be addressed electronically to:

Kevin Swinden
Faculty Search Committee Chair
Faculty of Music
Wilfrid Laurier University
kswinden@wlu.ca

Application Deadline: March 6, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. EST

Anticipated Salary Range: $89,919 to $120,000. Actual salary will be commensurate with education and experience.