"Assistant Professor of Cinematography"

Job Details

Assistant Professor of Cinematography
Job No: 553325
Work Type: Instructional Faculty - Tenured/Tenure-Track
Location: Southern California: Long Beach
Categories: Bargaining Unit: Unit 3 - CFA - California Faculty Association, Job Search Category/Discipline: Faculty - Fine/Performing Arts, Appointment Type: Tenured/Tenure-Track, Time Basis: Full Time

Position: Assistant Professor in Cinematography
Effective Date: August 17, 2026 (Fall Semester)
Salary: The Assistant Professor (Academic Year) classification salary is $6,221 to $13,224/per month (12 monthly payments per academic year). The anticipated hiring range is $6,221 to $8,750/ per month. Salary offered is commensurate with qualifications and experience.
Application Deadline: Review of applications to begin on January 20, 2026. Position open until filled (or recruitment canceled).

California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) is a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) and an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI). ...

College of Arts
Department of Cinematic Arts

Required Qualifications:

• M.F.A. or appropriate terminal degree in cinematography, film, or related area or significant industry experience*. Degree at time of application or official notification of completion of the terminal degree by August 1, 2026. Significant industry experience as demonstrated by portfolio of work and C.V.
• Two years of experience teaching cinematography
• Demonstrated knowledge of image-acquisition and narrative filmmaking-specific pedagogical approaches
• Documented experience as cinematographer on a variety of professional work including, but not limited to narrative feature films, episodic series, or short-form work
• Demonstrated potential for sustained growth and success in research, scholarly, and creative activities
• Demonstrated commitment to working successfully with a diverse student population, including low socioeconomic and first-generation students

*Significant Industry Experience
Candidate with significant industry experience in the area of film or television cinematography must also have BA/BFA in film or related discipline. Significant experience shall include: narrative feature films or episodic work with at least one of the following: a) theatrical distribution, or b) streaming on major platform, or c) airing on network, or d) screening at top-tier film festival(s).

Preferred Qualifications:

• At least three years of teaching cinematography at the college level
• Demonstrated professional experience as a cinematographer of short and feature length narrative films, episodic/serial television, web series, music videos, or TV/internet spots
• Demonstrated experience collaborating with a diverse group of artists
• An emerging record of creative professional work that reflects and elevates characters from underrepresented groups
• An established record of mentorship, outreach, and/or engagement with young filmmakers (particularly from underrepresented groups)
• Service experience at the university level
• Experience with multiple modes of instruction (in-person, online, hybrid)
• Experience with inter-departmental or interdisciplinary initiatives
• Experience successfully working with populations demographically and/or socioeconomically similar to the CSULB student body
• Experience mentoring or supporting students using inclusive and culturally relevant teaching strategies in a diverse classroom

Duties:

• Teach cinematography and production courses appropriate to the candidate's specialty, education, and experience as well as departmental need including, but not limited to, lower-division fundamental classes, Cinematic Lighting, Advanced Cinematography I and II, Production Workshop I and II. (Mode of instruction may include in-person, hybrid, online, and/or any combination thereof.)
• Coordinate production classes to ensure consistent and equitable student experience
• Mentor and supervise students in the Cinematography program
• Develop and maintain ongoing research, scholarly, and creative activities
• Act as program liaison with industry professionals in the field
• Develop and sustain currency in image acquisition technology and in the field of cinematography in narrative filmmaking
• Engage in program-related service activities such as recruitment and evaluation of lecturers, and programmatic review
• Collaborate with faculty to develop curriculum
• Coordinate and expand interdisciplinary initiatives and screening events with other departments on campus including study-abroad initiatives
• Mentor students and engage in outreach with student organizations and events
• Participate in service to the department, college, university, and community

Department of Cinematic Arts

The Department of Cinematic Arts at California State University, Long Beach invites applications for a Tenure Track Assistant Professor with professional expertise in cinematography and image acquisition technology for film and television. ...

How to Apply - Required Documentation:

• A Student Success Statement about your teaching or other experiences, successes, and challenges in working with a diverse student population (maximum two pages, single-spaced). For further information and guidelines, please visit: Student Success Statement
• Letter of application addressing the required and preferred qualifications (maximum two pages, single-spaced)
• Teaching Philosophy Statement (maximum two pages, single-spaced)
• CV (include list of professional credits) About Your CV: Please provide link (listed on CV) to one (1) sample of professional work (maximum 5 minutes). YouTube or Vimeo preferred, either Password-Free, or with link and Password clearly identified on your CV.
• Name and contact information for three references (to be contacted by CSULB to provide confidential letters of recommendation should you reach the semi-finalist stage).

Semi-Finalists ONLY should be prepared to submit:

• Samples from two different professional works (Maximum 30 pages for written samples or 10 minutes for video samples)
• Statement of current and future creative or research plans (maximum 1 page, single-spaced)
• Contact information for references, who may be contacted via phone/email

Finalists ONLY should be prepared to submit:

• Two syllabi samples
• Official transcript from institution awarding highest degree (e-transcript preferred, if available)

How to Apply: (Click Apply Now icon) to complete the CSULB online application

Requests for information about the position and application process should be addressed to:
Cinematic Arts Cinematography Search Committee
California State University, Long Beach
Department of Cinematic Arts
ATTN: LaTanya Jones, Administrative Support Coordinator
1250 Bellflower Boulevard
Long Beach, CA 90840-7101

(562) 985-5404 or E-Mail: latanya.jones@csulb.edu