Harvard University

Faculty of Arts and Sciences

Department of Music and Department of African and African American Studies

Cambridge, MA

Position Description: The Department of Music and the Department of African and African American Studies seek to jointly appoint a tenured professor of African American Music. The appointment will be at the rank of Full Professor and is expected to begin on July 1, 2025. 

The successful candidate will work at the intersection of practice and criticism of African American music. He or she will have a distinguished record of scholarship in the history, philosophy, or theory of African American music, coupled with practical experience in the creation, performance, or artistic practice in one or more relevant musical traditions. A commitment to public scholarship and engaged ethics is desirable. The chosen candidate will teach three courses over two semesters, at the graduate and undergraduate levels, plus one teaching-equivalent contribution.

Keywords:

faculty, instructor, tenure, professor, senior

Boston, Cambridge, Massachusetts, MA, Northeast, New England

African American music, improvisation, performance, ethnomusicology, musicology, music theory

Basic Qualifications: Candidates are expected to hold a doctorate in a relevant field. 

Additional Qualifications: Demonstrated strong commitment to teaching, advising, and research is desired. Candidates should have a strong record of intellectual leadership and impact on the field, as well as the potential to contribute to both departments, to the University, and to the wider scholarly community.

Special Instructions: Please submit the following materials through the ARIeS portal (https://academicpositions.harvard.edu). Candidates are advised to apply by September 16, 2024. Applications will be reviewed until the position is filled. 

1. Curriculum Vitae
2. Research statement
3. Teaching/advising statement that describes the candidate’s philosophy and practices as well as their approach to creating a learning environment in which students are encouraged to ask questions and share their ideas
4. Service statement that describes efforts to strengthen academic communities, e.g., the candidate’s department, institution, and/or professional societies

5.   Authorization form

Harvard University is committed to fostering a campus culture where everyone can thrive and experience a sense of inclusion and belonging. Community members are encouraged to model our values of integrity, responsible mentorship, equity, and excellence no matter where they are.

To support this commitment to our values of inclusion and excellence, the external finalist for this position will be required to complete a conduct questionnaire – specifically regarding findings of violation, on-going formal complaint investigations, or formal complaint investigations that did not conclude due to the external finalist’s departure concerning: harassment or discrimination, retaliation, sexual misconduct, bullying or intimidating/abusive behavior, unprofessional relationship, or misconduct related to scholarship, research, teaching, service, or clinical/patient care.

Harvard will also make conduct inquiries to current and former employers of the external finalist regarding such misconduct. To facilitate these inquiries, Harvard requires all external applicants for this position to complete, sign, and upload the form entitled “Authorization to release information for external applicants” as part of their application. If an external applicant does not include the signed authorization with the application materials, the application will be considered incomplete, and, as with any incomplete application, will not receive further consideration.

The health of our community is a priority for Harvard University. With that in mind, we strongly encourage all employees to be up-to-date on CDC-recommended vaccines.

Harvard is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, age, protected veteran status, disability, genetic information, military service, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or other protected status.

Contact Information:  Eli Bernhardt, Department of African and African American Studies, eli_bernhardt@fas.harvard.edu