Assistant Professor in Lighting Design in Boston University – USA

Summary

Boston University invites applications for a full-time, non-tenure track Assistant Professor of Lighting in the School of Theatre at the College of Fine Arts. This is a 9-month appointment on a three-year renewable contract. The successful candidate will be an artist-educator with expertise in lighting design techniques, strategies, and current practices, and will mentor undergraduate and graduate students. Responsibilities include teaching studio and seminar courses, contributing to the production season, and advancing curricular goals. Applicants should have an MFA in Lighting Design or equivalent professional experience, a significant professional portfolio, strong production and teaching experience, and proficiency in industry software. The salary range is $90,000 – $100,000. Review of applications will begin immediately, with preference given to applications received by November 1st, 2026.

Key Facts

Department	College of Fine Arts School of Theatre
Position Type	Assistant Professor
Discipline	Lighting Design
Degree Required	MFA in Lighting Design or a closely related field, or equivalent professional experience
Experience	Significant professional lighting design portfolio, strong production experience in live theatre (and possibly dance), college-level pre-professional teaching experience, experience with digital lighting workflows and automated systems, proficiency in industry software, active professional networks, and a record of regional, national, or international engagement.
Salary	$90,000 – $100,000
Contract Duration	9-month appointment on a three-year renewable contract
Deadline	2026-11-01
Required Documents	Cover letter describing teaching philosophy, creative practice, and fit with the BU program, Curriculum vitae, Teaching statement including approaches to mentorship, equity, and assessment, Portfolio of design work (digital link preferred), Contact information for three professional references
Employer Address	Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Employer Contact	Michael Swartz-Flores, [email protected]

Key Responsibilities

• Mentor student designers across undergraduate and graduate programs
• Contribute to the lively production season
• Help advance School curricular goals and forward-thinking approaches to design training
• Teach students at all levels (graduate and undergraduate) in studio and seminar courses
• Collaborate with co-educators
• Foster excellence and creative agency from a culturally and artistically informed position
• Foster and build upon interdepartmental connections

Required Skills

• Expertise and knowledge of techniques, design strategies, intellectual discourse, history, and current practices in lighting for the stage
• Ability to teach students at all levels (graduate and undergraduate) in studio and seminar courses
• Ability to collaborate with co-educators
• Established or emerging national profile in lighting design
• Significant professional lighting design portfolio demonstrating artistic accomplishment
• Demonstrative communication and administrative skills
• Strong production experience in live theatre (and possibly dance) with evidence of impact in the field
• Record of college-level pre-professional teaching experience demonstrating excellent mentorship and innovative pedagogy
• Experience with digital lighting workflows and automated systems
• Proficiency in industry software (e.g., Vectorworks, Lightwright, ETC EOS family)
• Familiarity with contemporary workflow best practices
• Demonstrated commitment to inclusive pedagogy and mentoring students from diverse backgrounds
• Active professional networks and a record of regional, national, or international engagement
• Ability to foster excellence and creative agency from a culturally and artistically informed position
• Ability to foster and build upon interdepartmental connections

Who Should Apply

This position is suitable for an artist-educator with an MFA in Lighting Design or equivalent professional experience, who possesses a strong professional portfolio, significant production experience in live theatre, and a proven record of college-level teaching and mentorship. The ideal candidate will be a creative and collaborative teacher committed to artistic experimentation, design innovation, rigorous craft training, and inclusive pedagogy, with active professional networks and proficiency in digital lighting workflows and industry software.

Benefits

• Faculty Staff Assistance Office
• Children's Center
• Life at BU
• Faculty Affairs

About the Employer

Boston University (BU) is a large, tier 1 research university with leading national programs in BFA and MFA Lighting. Its School of Theatre (SOT) at the College of Fine Arts (CFA) is cited by Niche as one of the Best Colleges for Performing Arts (17 out of 522) and Best College for Design (10 out of 491) in 2025. The SOT offers rigorous BFA and MFA programs across performance, design, production, and management, blending hands-on practice with critical study, collaborative projects, and interdisciplinary engagement. It produces a lively and diversified season of productions in multiple performance spaces, supported by contemporary design studios, well-equipped workshops, and professional technical staff. The School is situated in the cultural and theatrical hub of Boston, connecting learners to a broad network of regional companies, festivals, and arts institutions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the duration of the contract for this position?

This is a 9-month appointment on a three-year renewable contract.

What is the application deadline?

Preference will be given to applications received by November 1st, 2026, but applications will be considered until the position is filled.

What degree is required for this position?

An MFA in Lighting Design or a closely related field, or equivalent professional experience, is required.

What is the estimated salary range for this position?

The estimated salary range is $90,000 to $100,000.

What documents are required for the application?

Applicants must submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, teaching statement, design portfolio (digital link preferred), and contact information for three professional references.

Will interview expenses be reimbursed?

Yes, on-campus visit expenses for finalists will be reimbursed.