Assistant Teaching Professor of Film Studies

Position Details
University of Colorado | Denver
Faculty Level/Title: Assistant Teaching Track
Working Title: Assistant Teaching Professor of Film Studies
FTE: Full-time
Salary Range: $62,000 - $67,000
Position #00672409 – Requisition #41635
Join the University of Colorado Denver

About the University of Colorado Denver
Millions of moments start at CU Denver, a place where innovation, research, and learning meet in the heart of a global city. We’re the state’s premier public urban research university with more than 100 in-demand, top-ranked bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree programs. We partner with diverse learners—at any stage of their life and career—for transformative educational experiences. Across seven schools and colleges, our leading faculty inspires and works alongside students to solve complex challenges and produce impactful creative work. As part of the state’s largest university system, CU Denver is a major contributor to the Colorado economy, with 2,000 employees and an annual economic impact of $665 million. To learn more about how CU Denver helps learners meet their moment, visit ucdenver.edu.

Job Description
* Applications are accepted electronically ONLY at www.cu.edu/cu-careers*

At the College of Arts & Media (CAM), we empower a diverse community of makers, scholars, and innovators to thrive in the rapidly evolving creative industries. Through a dynamic blend of critical inquiry, creative exploration, and real-world engagement, CAM prepares students for lives filled with opportunity, meaning, and purpose. Rooted in community and driven by a spirit of intellectual and artistic freedom, CAM embraces risk-takers, visionaries, and cultural disruptors by providing access to cutting-edge technology, global perspectives, and a nurturing environment where bold ideas flourish. CAM offers top-ranked degrees and programs in Film & Television, Media Forensics, Music & Entertainment, and Visual Arts.

The Department of Film & Television within the College of Arts & Media invites dynamic educators, film scholars, and creative professionals to apply for an open-rank, full-time Teaching Track position specializing in Film History, Film Theory, and Film Criticism. We seek a colleague with strong scholarly credentials alongside deep industry connections, capable of bridging critical academic discourse with contemporary industry perspectives.

Why Join CU Denver CAM?

• Be part of a forward-looking, supportive faculty committed to excellence and innovation.
• Enjoy a culture that values your unique artistic and academic contributions.
• Teach within a nationally recognized program.
• Shape a vibrant program positioned at the crossroads of professional opportunity and creative experimentation, in a city alive with storytelling and artistic energy.

The Film & Television program offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Film and Television. This BFA emphasis provides intensive, practical training that requires successful completion of numerous film/TV projects, ranging from fiction to documentary. The emphasis is designed for students to progress through the semesters as a cohort. Undergraduates will work on their own projects and assist with numerous group projects. Students graduate with both a theoretical and historical perspective, as well as hands-on experience in film and television production.

This program prepares students to begin their careers at entry-level positions in the film or television industry, start their personal creative journey, or continue their studies in a graduate program. We believe in the power of transformative education, hands-on learning, and creative exploration. Our BFA program cultivates storytellers with a strong technical foundation and artistic vision, preparing graduates for immediate impact in the film, television, and media industries.

• Accolades: For five consecutive years, CU Denver’s Film & Television program has been named to MovieMaker Magazine’s Best Film Schools list. We are recognized for our hands-on, cohort-based curriculum, affordability, and strong industry connections.
• Career Pathways & Networking: Graduates are successful across multiple areas, including opportunities in Hollywood, independent film, commercial film, and post-production studios.
• Hands-on from Day One: The curriculum is sequence-based, allowing students to build on skill sets developed throughout their college career.
• Students Building a High-Volume Portfolio: The curriculum is known for its rigor, as students often complete 20+ films/exercises for their portfolios by graduation. This indicates a highly engaged and active student body.
• Access to Professional Gear: The program’s “film cage” provides students with access to industry-standard, professional-grade cameras, sound, lighting, and grip equipment.
• Collaborative Cohort Culture: The program is built on a cohort-style curriculum in which students build strong bonds by working on each other’s film sets, emphasizing collegiality and team-based teaching and learning.
• Integrated Acting Emphasis: The new Acting for the Screen BFA emphasis is fully integrated with the filmmaking students. This intentional structure means acting in student films is a part of their training, fostering essential on-set collaboration between filmmakers and actors.

We seek individuals with a passion for teaching and the ability to mentor and inspire students in a dynamic learning environment. If you’re ready to inspire the next generation of media makers and enrich an inclusive academic community, we want to hear from you!

Assistant Teaching Professor of Film Studies
What you will do:

• 80% Teaching,
• 10% Scholarly/Research,
• 10% Service

As an Assistant Teaching Professor, your primary focus will be delivering engaging, rigorous instruction in Film History, Film Theory, and Film Criticism while leveraging industry connections to enhance the academic and professional development of our BFA students.

Teaching 80%

• Teaching Load: Teach three classes per semester (9 credit hours), for a total of six per academic year (18 credit hours).
• Core Instruction: Teach introductory and intermediate undergraduate courses in Film History, Film Theory, and Film Criticism.
• Advanced Instruction: Develop and deliver specialized upper-division seminars in critical studies, genre analysis, auteur studies, contemporary global cinema, or industry practices.
• Program Development: Guide the growth and integration of critical studies coursework within the BFA production curriculum in concert with other departmental priorities.
• Industry Engagement & Outreach: Expand opportunities for students in the department to connect with industry professionals through initiatives such as a curated extracurricular speaker series, community outreach, and other engagement events that foster meaningful connections with the field.

Scholarly/Research 10%
• Maintain an active scholarly, research, and/or creative practice in film studies, critical writing, or media history.

Service 10%

• Engage in departmental, college, and university service activities, including student advising, curriculum review, committee work, and other forms of service to the college, community, and profession.

Qualifications you already possess (Minimum Qualifications)
Applicants must meet minimum qualifications at the time of hire.

• Education: a bachelor’s degree in film studies, cinema/media Studies, or a closely related field.
• Published Work: a record of professional distinction and recognized expertise in the field, demonstrated through a substantial body of published work such as books, film criticism, essays, cultural journalism, public-facing scholarship, or other significant writing on film, media, or related subjects (e.g., three (3) significant published pieces or one (1) book).
• Teaching: One (1) year of successful university-level teaching experience.
• Industry Experience: Two (2) years in mid-level, production, or editorial roles.

Preferred Qualification to possess (Preferred Qualifications)

• Education: Ph.D. or terminal degree in film studies, cinema/media studies, or a related discipline.
• Teaching:
  • Three (3) years of successful university-level teaching experience, with a demonstrated record of teaching excellence, pedagogical development, and curriculum contribution.
  • Experience integrating critical theory and historical perspectives into a production-focused BFA curriculum.
  • Experience providing academic guidance, mentoring, tutoring, or instructional support to students in an educational setting.
• Industry Experience: substantial professional accomplishment and recognized expertise in the field, demonstrated through extensive industry experience; experience in senior, lead, or leadership roles with demonstrated field impact.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge: Deep understanding of foundational and contemporary film theory, world film history, global movements, and critical frameworks; strong understanding of current media industry trends and distribution landscapes.
• Skills: Excellent oral and written communication skills; effective pedagogical techniques for engaging BFA production students in critical analysis; strong networking and organizational abilities to build external industry partnerships.
• Ability: Ability to articulate complex theoretical and historical concepts clearly; ability to mentor and advise undergraduate students on academic and career trajectories; ability to work collaboratively within a cohort-based program structure.

Conditions of Employment

• This position requires an onsite presence on campus for teaching, student mentoring, and departmental engagement.
• Occasional work during the evening and/or weekends may be required for departmental events, screenings, or industry guest events.

Mental, Physical, and/or Environmental Requirements

• This position will be performed on site and will require the ability to sit for extended periods, stand and walk occasionally, reach with hands and arms, use hands to manipulate a keyboard and mouse, and have good near vision for computer work; often requiring minimal lifting, but may involve bending or reaching to retrieve items from shelves or drawers.

CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

The University will provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities throughout the employment application process. To request an accommodation pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact the Human Resources ADA Coordinator at workplaceengagement@ucdenver.edu .

Employment Sponsorship
Please be advised that this position is not eligible now or in the future for visa sponsorship.

Compensation and Benefits
The salary range (or hiring range) for this position has been established at $62,000 - $67,000.

The salary of the finalist(s) selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, experience, education, specialty, and training. The above salary range (or hiring range) represents the University’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

This position is not eligible for overtime compensation.Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. The University of Colorado Denver provides generous leave, health plans and retirement contributions that add to your bottom line. Benefits statement to include in all benefits-eligible positions. See Eligibility Matrix.

Benefits: https://www.cu.edu/employee-services/benefits Total Compensation Calculator: http://www.cu.edu/node/153125

Application Deadline
Applications will be accepted until finalists are identified, and interviews begin. Preference will be given to complete applications received by December 6th, 2026. Those who do not apply by this date may or may not be considered.

Required Application Materials:
To apply, please visit: http://www.cu.edu/cu-careers and attach:

• A letter of interest describing relevant job experiences as they relate to listed job qualifications and interest in the position.
• Curriculum vitae / Resume outlining experience(s).
• Five professional references including name, address, phone number (mobile number if appropriate), and email address. (We will notify you prior to contacting both on and off-list references).

Questions should be directed to David Liban, David.Liban@UCDenver.edu.

Background Check Policy
The University of Colorado Denver strives to maintain a safe and productive educational, clinical, research and employment environment. All prospective employees and current employees must, therefore, consent to and pass background checks prior to any final appointment/employment.

Position Details
University of Colorado | Denver
Faculty Level/Title: Assistant Teaching Track
Working Title: Assistant Teaching Professor of Film Studies
FTE: Full-time
Salary Range: $62,000 - $67,000
Position #00672409 – Requisition #41635
Join the University of Colorado Denver

About the University of Colorado Denver
Millions of moments start at CU Denver, a place where innovation, research, and learning meet in the heart of a global city. We’re the state’s premier public urban research university with more than 100 in-demand, top-ranked bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree programs. We partner with diverse learners—at any stage of their life and career—for transformative educational experiences. Across seven schools and colleges, our leading faculty inspires and works alongside students to solve complex challenges and produce impactful creative work. As part of the state’s largest university system, CU Denver is a major contributor to the Colorado economy, with 2,000 employees and an annual economic impact of $665 million. To learn more about how CU Denver helps learners meet their moment, visit ucdenver.edu.

Job Description
* Applications are accepted electronically ONLY at www.cu.edu/cu-careers*