Assistant Professor, Music Theory (Tenure-Track)

Faculty/Academic Area: Faculty of Music

Department: N/A

Campus: Waterloo

Employee Group: WLUFA

Requisition ID: 10604

POSITION SUMMARY

The Faculty of Music at Wilfrid Laurier University invites applications for a Tenure Track position at the level of Assistant Professor in Music Theory with a focus on Popular Music, commencing July 1, 2026, subject to budgetary approval. We seek a dynamic scholar able to address fundamental questions in Popular Music Theory scholarship. The successful candidate will be expected to teach undergraduate courses in Popular Music that are part of the first- and second-year Core Curriculum, including Theory I: Foundations, Theory II: Functional Grammars, Theory III: Popular Music 1950–1991, Theory IV: Popular Music Since 1991. They will be up to date on the most current scholarship in the theory and analysis of popular music of the Rock tradition, Pop, Rap, Hip Hop, and EDM. Other courses that may be part of the teaching load, dependant on the incumbent’s interest and expertise, include upper division courses in Popular Music Analysis, Songwriting, Jazz Harmony, music theory courses in the European Classical tradition, Aural Skills, or other courses the candidate might propose and design at the undergraduate or graduate level.

The successful candidate will hold a Ph.D. in Music Theory with a focus on Popular Music. The preferred candidate will have peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations in Popular Music and 3+ years of teaching experience at the university level. Fluency with other genres of music, such as Broadway, video game music, film music and/or jazz, or candidates with a background as a performer/practitioner in Popular Music are assets. The successful candidate will demonstrate a commitment to an ethical, inclusive, anti-racist, anti-oppressive practice.

Laurier’s renowned Faculty of Music is dedicated to fostering artistic and scholarly development of the highest calibre, and to providing a creative environment for student success. Our degree concentrations, graduate and diploma programs, coupled with the addition of the,makes the Faculty of Music and Waterloo, Ontario a desired location for quality university and preparatory music education. The Faculty offers undergraduate and graduate degrees (Masters and PhD), and a newly launched certificate program: Navigating the Music Industry Ecosystem. The faculty is comprised of distinguished scholars, performers, educators, and community musicians who are committed to providing students a world-class education.

As global innovators in music, the Faculty of Music offers opportunities to enhance student creativity and choice with partnerships at schools likeand. The Faculty is also home to two cutting-edge research centres: The and the. These centres are dedicated to advancing knowledge in music therapy and community music, respectively.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop core courses at the undergraduate level, including Music Theory III: Popular Music 1950-1991 and Theory IV: Popular Music Since 1991.
• Collaborate with current Music Theory faculty to coordinate the broader Music Theory curriculum and the curricular integration of Classical and Popular musics.
• Teach courses at the undergraduate level, which will include Music Theory III: Popular Music 1950-1991 and Theory IV: Popular Music Since 1991 and other courses in the candidate’s interest and expertise.
• Build a strong research program in relevant fields.
• Contribute to service through administrative leadership, committee work.
• Collaborate actively with colleagues in program development and planning.

QUALIFICATIONS

Candidates must have:

• A PhD in Music Theory with a specialization in Popular Music, completed by July 1, 2026.
• 3+ years teaching experience in Music Theory at the college or university level, inclusive of teaching done as a graduate T.A. (where the T.A. delivered all lectures).
• Evidence of successful teaching record at the undergraduate level.
• A track record of peer-reviewed publications.
• A track record of conference presentations and other scholarly activity.
• An approach to teaching and research that demonstrates evidence of commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Strong administrative skills.

PREFERENCES

• While ABD’s will be considered, we prefer a Candidate with the PhD completed.

ASSETS

• Experience developing undergraduate courses in Popular Music Theory.
• Evidence of awards and/or grants in Popular Music research.
• Expertise to teach pre-existing courses in the curriculum including Songwriting, Jazz Harmony, upper division courses in the analysis of popular music, theory or analysis courses in the European Classical tradition,
• Expertise to coach undergraduate popular music combos/bands.
• Capacity/expertise to develop courses that meet the changing needs of our faculty, for example Jazz Topics; Film/Video Game music.

HOW TO APPLY

Applicants should send:

• a letter of application that addresses the above qualifications;
• a curriculum vitae;
• a research statement outlining research program over next 5 years (approximately 2 pages or 500 words);
• teaching dossier that includes but is not limited to philosophy of teaching statement, past course syllabi, evidence of successful teaching, course evaluations;
• 2-3 page sample course syllabi for Theory III: Popular Music 1950-1991; and Theory IV: Popular Music since 1991;
• maximum 3 brief descriptions of potential courses the candidate could teach and/or develop at the undergraduate and/or graduate levels;
• contact information for 3 referees, who will be contacted if the candidate is shortlisted.
• ABD Candidates must submit a representative chapter of their dissertation, in progress.
• Contact information of three academic referees willing to provide a letter of reference.

All applications should be addressed electronically to:

Kevin Swinden

Faculty Search Committee Chair

Faculty of Music

Wilfrid Laurier University

Application Deadline: March 6, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. EST

Anticipated Salary Range: $89,919 to $120,000. Actual salary will be commensurate with education and experience.

Diversity and creating a culture of inclusion is a key pillar of Wilfrid Laurier University’s Strategic Academic Plan and is one of Laurier’s core values. Laurier is committed to increasing the diversity of faculty and staff and welcomes applications from qualified members of the equity-deserving groups. Indigenous candidates who would like to learn more about equity and inclusive programming at Laurier are welcome to contact the Office of Indigenous Initiatives at. Candidates from other equity-deserving groups who would like to learn more about equity and inclusive programming at Laurier are welcomed to contact Equity and Accessibility at.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, as per Canadian immigration laws, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. To comply with the Government of Canada’s reporting requirements, the University is obligated to gather information about applicants’ status as either Permanent Residents of Canada or Canadian citizens. Applicants need not identify their country of origin or current citizenships, however, all applicants must include one of the following statements in their cover letter:

Yes, I am a current citizen or permanent resident of Canada;

No, I am not a current citizen or permanent resident of Canada

Members of the designated groups must self-identify to be considered for employment equity. Candidates should self-identify, in confidence, to Michelle Corbett, Senior Administrative Officer (). Further information on the equity policy can be found at.

Applicants are encouraged to address any career interruptions or special circumstances that may have affected their record of research and teaching, in accordance with SSHRC and NSERC definitions and guidelines. To obtain a copy of this job description in an accessible format, please contact Anne Linkletter ().

Wilfrid Laurier University strives to improve its relationship with the land and people with whom we share it. As such, it is important to further our understanding of the long-standing history that has brought Laurier to reside on the land, and to seek to understand our place within that history. Laurier’s Kitchener-Waterloo, Brantford and Milton campuses are close to 18 First Nations communities and 12 Métis councils. The Six Nations of the Grand River and Mississaugas of the Credit First Nations are only a 15-minute drive from our Brantford campus. Acknowledging them reminds us of our important connection to this land where we live, learn and work. We recognize, honour and respect these Nations as the traditional stewards, since time immemorial, of the lands and water on which Laurier is now present.

The Faculty of Music wishes to thank all applicants for their interest. All nominations and applications shall be reviewed and considered under a set of criteria established by the Search Committee, and a short list of candidates shall be interviewed. Only those applicants selected for the short list will be contacted.

Wilfrid Laurier University endeavors to fill positions with qualified candidates who have a combination of education, experience, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position while demonstrating Laurier's Employee Success Factors.

Equity, diversity and creating a culture of inclusion are part of Laurier’s core values and central to the Laurier Strategy. Laurier is committed to increasing the diversity of faculty and staff and welcomes applications from candidates who identify as Indigenous, racialized, having disabilities, and from persons of any minority sexual and gender identities. Indigenous candidates who would like to learn more about equity and inclusive programing at Laurier are welcomed to contact the Office of Indigenous Initiatives. Candidates from other equity deserving groups who would like to learn more about equity and inclusive programing at Laurier are welcomed to contact Equity & Accessibility. We have strived to make our application process accessible, however if you require any assistance applying for a position or would like this job posting in an alternative format, please contact Human Resources. Contact information can be found at

Should you be interested in learning more about this opportunity, please visit for additional information and the online application system. All applications must be submitted online. Please note, a CV and letter of introduction will be required in electronic form.