Assistant/Associate Professor in Music (Jazz Studies)

The Schulich School of Music of McGill University is Canada’s leading institution for the professional training of performers and composers, and the humanities-based and scientific research in music and sound. We seek individuals with an international profile in music performance and research who will maintain a high level of professional activity and are able to teach and supervise students in all university degree and diploma programs through to the doctoral level. Montreal offers a vibrant multicultural living environment and is consistently rated among the best student cities in the world.

The Department of Music Performance invites applications for a tenure-track appointment in Jazz Studies at the rank of Assistant or Associate Professor, starting August 1, 2021. This position is one of six currently being filled in the areas of African and Black Studies at McGill, in phase one of a multi-year interdisciplinary initiative designed to strengthen and support research innovation and excellence in the domains of African and Black Studies at McGill University while simultaneously addressing the under-representation of Black faculty in the tenure stream, as laid out in McGill’s Action Plan to Address Anti-Black Racism 2020-2025. 

Qualifications: We seek to appoint an individual with a national/international profile as jazz musician (voice, bass or guitar preferred) and educator who has made a significant contribution to jazz, and/or to the musical traditions of the African diaspora both as a performer and as a teacher. The successful candidate should have an active performance career; demonstrate a strong commitment to teaching and conducting scholarly and/or practice-based research on the history of jazz and related social issues. A track record of partnership working in community outreach activities is an important asset. A doctoral degree, or equivalent professional experience, is expected. 

Duties: Teaching duties may include individual lessons; coaching combos and/or directing large ensembles; teaching undergraduate and graduate courses related to the area of expertise; supervision of graduate students up to the doctoral level. Service to the university and broader communities, including participation in faculty and university committees is expected. The ability to develop and sustain a level of performance activity or research commensurate with the University’s expectations for tenure is required.  

Applicants should submit the following items using McGill’s platform, Workday (see https://mcgill.ca/music/about-us/employment for instructions and links to apply):

• Cover letter describing the candidate’s qualification for the position, including statements on (i) research/professional interests, (ii) commitment to increasing and supporting diversity   
• Detailed curriculum vitae  
• Sample audio/video materials, and/or web links 

• The names and contact information of three referees.  

Further inquiries may be addressed to Prof. Stéphane Lemelin, Chair, Department of Performance search.musicperformance@mcgill.ca    

Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Those received by March 15, 2021 will be given full consideration. Selected candidates will be invited to an interview which will include a public performance, teaching demonstration, and meeting with the Dean, colleagues, students, and with members of the Search Committee.   

Salary will be negotiable and commensurate with qualifications and experience. The position is subject to final budgetary approval. 

McGill University is committed to equity and diversity within its community and values academic rigour and excellence. We welcome and encourage applications from racialized persons/visible minorities, women, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities, and persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities, as well as from all qualified candidates with the skills and knowledge to engage productively with diverse communities.

At McGill, research that reflects diverse intellectual traditions, methodologies, and modes of dissemination and translation is valued and encouraged. Candidates are invited to demonstrate their research impact both within and across academic disciplines and in other sectors, such as government, communities, or industry.

McGill further recognizes and fairly considers the impact of leaves (e.g., family care or health-related) that may contribute to career interruptions or slowdowns. Candidates are encouraged to signal any leave that affected productivity, or that may have had an effect on their career path. This information will be considered to ensure the equitable assessment of the candidate’s record.

McGill implements an employment equity program and encourages members of designated equity groups to self-identify. It further seeks to ensure the equitable treatment and full inclusion of persons with disabilities by striving for the implementation of universal design principles transversally, across all facets of the University community, and through accommodation policies and procedures. Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing accommodations for any part of the application process may contact, in confidence, this email or phone at 514-398-2477.

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply; however, in accordance with Canadian immigration requirements, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.