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The University of Southern California Thornton School of Music invites applicants for a Part-Time Lecturer position in Music Technology. The appointment is for the 2023-24 academic year, beginning August 16, 2023.

Combining the benefits of a world-class conservatory and a leading research university, the USC Thornton School of Music offers students the opportunity to pursue a thorough music education in a real-world context. Thornton offers students a full range of musical disciplines across a demanding innovative curriculum and the opportunity to work with a faculty of national and international renown.

With a student cohort that is largely BIPOC, gender expansive, and with a wide range of ages and experience, the applicant must be adept at teaching, communicating, and empathizing with an extraordinarily diverse student population. The University’s commitment to building an academic environment hospitable to this wide range of diversity is full and complete. To that end, we encourage applications from candidates who identify with groups that are currently underrepresented in our faculty.

The Music Technology department offers a Bachelor of Music in Music Production and undergraduate and graduate minor fields in audio recording and music production. The department also offers a wide range of recording, desktop music, and studio production courses to Thornton majors and non-majors. The department promotes artistic, technical, and leadership growth and development by mentoring and challenging students in their study, performance, and music production in a wide variety of contemporary musical styles.

Principal duties will include: 1) teach one or more courses in performance technology as related to modern concert performance including, software and hardware setups, system and show design, instrument and device controllers, 2) teach courses in advanced synthesis, sampling, and Max; and 3) mentor private students.

The ideal candidate for this position will have significant professional experience integrating music technology in live performance including the analysis of performer’s needs, system design, and system operation; exhibit exceptional skill with music software (Ableton Live and Max) and MIDI controllers; and be an accomplished sound designer in the area of synthesis (subtractive, FM, wavetable, additive, granular, etc.) and sampling. Successful applicants are also expected to have a record of accomplishment working in a highly diverse environment and promoting social justice, equity, and inclusion in their work and approach to the profession.

Required Qualifications:  Bachelor’s Degree in a related music field; equivalent in substantive professional experience may be substituted for a degree. At least one year of experience teaching at the college, university, or professional training level in music technology and/or music production.

Preferred Qualifications: Graduate degree in a related music field. Three years of experience teaching at the college or university level in music technology and/or music production.

The hiring range for this position is $4,800 to $5,500 per 2-unit course. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

Interested candidates must apply through the USC online system at www.usc.edu/jobs , and are asked to provide:

• A letter of application

• Curriculum vitae or resume

• Three letters of reference

Review of applications will begin December 1, 2022, and the position will remain open until filled.

USC is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or USC policy. USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring ordinance.

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About University of Southern California (USC)

USC is the leading private research university in Los Angeles—a global center for arts, technology and international business. With more than 47,500 students, we are located primarily in Los Angeles but also in various US and global satellite locations. As the largest private employer in Los Angeles, responsible for $8 billion annually in economic activity in the region, we offer the opportunity to work in a dynamic and diverse environment, in careers that span a broad spectrum of talents and skills across a variety of academic and professional schools and administrative units. As a USC employee and member of the Trojan Family—the faculty, staff, students, and alumni who make USC a great place to work—you will enjoy excellent benefits, including a variety of well-being programs designed to help individuals achieve work-life balance.

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