Hiring Department
UNIVERSITY of MISSOURI-KANSAS CITY
CONSERVATORY
Music Division/ Electroacoustic &
Technology-Integrated Composition
At the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory, we take
pride in fostering collaboration across the divisions of music,
dance, and theatre, and in advancing the integration of art forms
through research and creative work. Our integrated arts approach
intentionally weaves together multiple disciplines to deepen
learning, expand artistic practice, and enrich audience
experiences.
Building on the Conservatory's recent faculty cohort in Sound,
Composition, and Digital & Immersive Media, this position
strengthens a distinct need in the Composition Area: a composer
whose work is grounded in traditional concert music and extends
that practice through electronic, computational, spatial,
interactive, or emerging technologies.
The tenure-track position is intended to enhance existing degree
programs rather than establish a new program. It will expand
students' access to contemporary tools and practices within the
Conservatory's established undergraduate and graduate composition
curriculum, while complementing existing strengths in concert
music, jazz, opera, cross-genre composition, and media
composition.
Job Description
Assistant Professor of Music Composition
(Electroacoustic and Technology-Integrated
Composition)
The UMKC Conservatory invites applications for a full-time,
tenure-track Assistant Professor position in Music Composition with
a focus on electroacoustic and technology-integrated composition,
beginning in Fall 2027.
We seek a composer-technologist with deep concert-music fluency: an
artist-scholar who can teach acoustic composition and orchestration
while leading students into electroacoustic, computational,
spatial, interactive, and emerging creative practices. The
successful candidate will understand technology not simply as a
production tool, but as a compositional medium that can deepen
questions of sound, form, performance, space, and musical
meaning.
Areas of practice may include electroacoustic or acousmatic
composition, computer music, sound synthesis, live electronics,
spatial audio, creative coding, interactive systems, algorithmic or
generative composition, sound installation, AI-assisted creative
practice, or closely related work grounded in compositional
craft.
Primary Responsibilities
Teaching (40%): Teach undergraduate and graduate
composition, contribute to the shared composition core including
composition and orchestration, offer coursework in electroacoustic
or technology-integrated composition, mentor graduate students, and
participate in recruitment and student outreach.
Research and Creative Activity (40%): Maintain an active
creative and/or scholarly profile through performances,
commissions, recordings, installations, publications, conference
activity, collaborations, or equivalent professional work that
contributes to contemporary composition and technology-integrated
artistic practice.
Service (20%): Contribute to the work of the Composition
Area, Division of Music, Conservatory, and university through
committees, outreach, recruitment, community engagement, and
collaboration across Music, Theatre, and Dance where
appropriate.
Qualifications
- Terminal degree (DMA, PhD, or equivalent) in music composition
or a closely related field, or equivalent professional experience
(ABD considered)
Demonstrated excellence as a composer grounded in traditional
concert music and engaged with electronic, computational, spatial,
interactive, or related technologies
Ability to teach composition and orchestration at undergraduate
and graduate levels, including work with acoustic forces
Evidence of creative and/or scholarly achievement,
collaboration, and the interpersonal skills necessary for success
in higher education
Preferred Qualifications
- Expertise in electroacoustic or acousmatic composition,
computer music, sound synthesis, spatial audio, live electronics,
creative coding, interactive systems, algorithmic or generative
composition, AI-assisted creative practice, sound installation, or
related areas
- Collegiate teaching experience in composition, electroacoustic
music, computer music, or music technology
- Experience mentoring graduate composers and connecting rigorous
compositional training to contemporary artistic and professional
pathways
- A developed perspective on the artistic, pedagogical, and
ethical implications of emerging technologies, including
AI-assisted creative practice
Anticipated Hiring Range
Salary is commensurate with experience and credentials. Our
academic workloads and schedules provide for a positive work/life
balance.
Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck.
The University of Missouri provides generous leave, health plans,
discounted tuition at all four UM System campuses for employees and
qualifying dependents, and retirement contributions that add to
your bottom line.
Application Materials
For consideration, you must apply online at
Careers - Human Resources |
University of Missouri-Kansas City / Academic Positions /
Prospective employees:
Job Opening ID 60551 .
Please complete the online application form with questions, and
submit the following materials:
- A one-page cover letter that explains how this position
aligns with your professional goals and values, including:
- The role of your previous teaching experience in informing your
approach to training composers.
- Your approach to engaging individuals through work that is
artistically meaningful, educationally impactful, and socially
relevant.
- Curriculum Vitae.
- One-page statement of Research/Scholarly Activity goals and
plans.
- Links to representative examples of your teaching,
artistic activity and scholarly work.
- Contact information for at least five professional
references.
Please combine all application materials into one PDF or
Microsoft Word document and upload as your resume attachment
. Additionally, please limit the document name to 50
characters and do not include any special characters (e.g., /,
&, %, etc.). Maximum size limit is
11MB .
- If you are experiencing technical problems during application,
please email umpshrsupport@umsystem.edu
.
- For questions about the position, please contact umkcfacultysearch@umkc.edu
including the Job Identification number 60551 and name of
the position.
- Reasonable accommodation may be requested during the
application and recruitment process. If you need an accommodation,
please contact the Office of Equity and Title IX at (816)
235-1323.
We will check references and request higher education transcripts
for applicants who progress to the finalist stage. A Criminal
Background Check is required for hire.
Application Deadline
Review of applications will begin upon receipt and continue until a
qualified candidate is hired.
Sponsorship Information
Employment visa sponsorship may be available for candidates
currently in the United States in H-1B status or other
work-authorized status.
Other Information
About the UMKC Conservatory
The UMKC Conservatory is a vibrant community of artists, educators,
and scholars located in the heart of Kansas City's thriving arts
corridor. Committed to fostering excellence, innovation, and
equity, the Conservatory prepares students to become leading
performers, educators, and scholar-artists. As part of an
R-1 public research university, the Conservatory offers
exceptional opportunities for ¿ interdisciplinary collaboration,
community engagement, and global impact.
We seek candidates who:
- help build the future of performance, education and research in
the performing arts; ¿
- demonstrate a growth mindset, with an understanding that
learning is an ongoing process;
- believe that art has the power to help us understand ourselves,
each other, and our culture while empowering us to move that
culture forward;
- engage in work that appeals to, and positively impacts, the
global population;
- adapt to the opportunities in their regions, and to expanding
frameworks of collaboration.
Community Information
A City on the Rise: Big City Life and Midwest Charm, Kansas
City offers the best of both worlds - a vibrant, urban community
with midwestern appeal and an affordable cost of living. Our UMKC
campuses are centered in the hubs of cultural arts, business
activity, (some great barbeque and ethnic cuisine!), trendy
neighborhoods, and health science research engagement for both
campuses. As one of the largest cities in Missouri, we are home to
the internationally acclaimed
Kauffman Center for the
Performing Arts , a rich history of jazz, cultural arts and
music venues, a new international airport, national championship
sports teams, NASCAR racing, and a community that is very engaged
with our Conservatory and supportive of our university initiatives.
Our beautiful state has rolling hills, rivers, lakes, and long
bike/hiking trails all within a short drive for those that enjoy
time in the great outdoors. Kansas City offers something for
everyone!
https://www.visitkc.com/
Benefit Eligibility
This position is eligible for University benefits. As part of your
total compensation, the University offers a comprehensive benefits
package, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement,
and educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses. For
additional information on University benefits, please visit the
Faculty & Staff Benefits website at
https://www.umsystem.edu/departments-staff/human-resources/benefits-retirement
Equal Employment Opportunity
The University of Missouri is an
Equal Opportunity Employer.
To request ADA accommodations, please call the Office of Equity
& Title IX at 816-235-6910.