Dynamic Lecturer / Senior Lecturer in Musicology & Pedagogy – Innovative Remote Teaching Position at University of North Texas (Denton, TX)

About the University of North Texas – A Global Leader in Music Education

The University of North Texas (UNT) System stands as a premier, Carnegie‑Tier One research university that serves the heart of the Dallas‑Fort Worth region. With more than 14,000 dedicated staff members, over 49,000 undergraduate and graduate students, and nearly 12,000 degrees awarded each year, UNT is a vibrant community that blends rigorous scholarship with real‑world impact. Our College of Music, consistently ranked among the nation’s top music schools, is renowned for pioneering the world’s first jazz studies degree, producing award‑winning alumni, and offering a richly diverse curriculum that spans musicology, composition, performance, music entrepreneurship, and beyond.

At UNT we live by a values‑first philosophy that puts people at the center of everything we do. Our core values—We Care, Better Together, Courageous Integrity, Be Curious, Show Your Fire—guide our interactions, our teaching, and our research. We are a Hispanic‑Serving Institution (HSI) and Minority‑Serving Institution (MSI), committed to fostering inclusive excellence, cultural humility, and equitable access to education for all learners.

Why This Role Is Different – Teaching Innovation in a Remote‑Ready World

We are seeking an experienced, forward‑thinking scholar‑teacher to join our Division of Music History, Theory, and Ethnomusicology as a Lecturer or Senior Lecturer specializing in the pedagogy of music history. This is a unique, fully remote‑flexible appointment that still offers the academic prestige and collaborative environment of a top‑tier research university. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to shape curricula, mentor graduate teaching assistants, and contribute to a culture of pedagogical excellence—all while enjoying the freedom to work from anywhere.

Position Summary – Your Impact in One Sentence

As a Lecturer or Senior Lecturer in Musicology with a focus on pedagogy, you will design, deliver, and continuously improve undergraduate and graduate courses that empower music majors and non‑majors alike to think critically about music history, develop research‑driven teaching practices, and engage with diverse musical cultures.

Key Responsibilities

Teaching and Curriculum Development

• Course Delivery: Teach up to six credit‑hour courses per academic year, including foundational music‑history surveys, specialized seminars for the Bachelor of Arts in Critical Studies in Music and Society, and graduate‑level pedagogy workshops.
• Curriculum Innovation: Design new courses that integrate digital pedagogy, interdisciplinary perspectives, and inclusive content that reflects global musical traditions.
• Online & Asynchronous Instruction: Develop and deliver high‑quality asynchronous online modules, leveraging learning‑management systems and emerging educational technologies.
• Assessment Design: Create meaningful assessment strategies that measure critical thinking, research competence, and creative application of music‑history concepts.

Mentorship and Graduate Student Development

• Supervise and mentor graduate teaching assistants (GTAs) and teaching fellows, providing feedback on lesson planning, classroom management, and assessment practices.
• Facilitate professional development workshops that empower emerging scholars to become effective educators.
• Encourage graduate students to pursue research‑infused teaching projects, fostering a culture of scholarly pedagogy.

Service to the College, University, and Profession

• Participate actively on departmental, college, and university committees (e.g., curriculum, diversity, and student success committees).
• Represent UNT at regional, national, and international professional conferences, presenting on music‑history pedagogy and contributing to scholarly discourse.
• Engage in community outreach initiatives that connect the College of Music with local schools, cultural institutions, and public audiences.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Division Chair or College Dean, ensuring alignment with institutional goals.

Essential Qualifications – What You Must Bring

• Doctoral Degree: Ph.D. in Musicology, Music History, or a closely related discipline, completed by the start date.
• Teaching Excellence: Minimum three years of full‑time, college‑level teaching experience with documented success (e.g., strong student evaluations, teaching awards, peer reviews). Candidates who do not meet the three‑year threshold may be considered for the Lecturer rank.
• Pedagogical Expertise: Proven ability to design and deliver courses that incorporate current best practices in music‑history pedagogy, including experiential learning, technology‑enhanced instruction, and inclusive curricula.
• Research‑Informed Teaching: Evidence of scholarship that informs and enriches teaching practice, such as publications on music pedagogy or presentations at scholarly conferences.
• Communication Skills: Exceptional oral and written communication abilities, capable of articulating complex ideas to diverse audiences.

Preferred Qualifications – What Will Set You Apart

• Experience teaching both music majors and non‑majors, with a record of fostering interdisciplinary connections.
• Demonstrated success in developing innovative, cross‑cultural, or community‑engaged music‑history courses.
• Experience mentoring graduate teaching assistants and fostering a culture of reflective teaching.
• Proficiency in designing and delivering asynchronous online courses, including use of multimedia, discussion forums, and digital assessment tools.
• Fluency in a second language (e.g., Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese, Arabic, French) or familiarity with sign language, enhancing the ability to serve diverse student populations.
• Active involvement in professional organizations such as the Society for Music Theory, the College Music Society, or the International Association for the Study of Popular Music.
• Evidence of collaborative research projects that intersect musicology, cultural studies, or education.

Core Skills & Competencies – The Toolkit for Success

• Pedagogical Innovation: Ability to integrate active‑learning strategies, flipped‑classroom models, and project‑based assessments.
• Technological Fluency: Proficiency with Learning Management Systems (Canvas, Blackboard), multimedia production tools (Audacity, Adobe Creative Suite), and online collaboration platforms (Zoom, Teams).
• Intercultural Sensitivity: Deep understanding of diverse musical traditions and the capacity to embed these perspectives into curricula.
• Analytical Rigor: Strong research skills, including archival work, primary‑source analysis, and critical interpretation of musical texts.
• Leadership & Mentorship: Ability to guide graduate students, lead committee initiatives, and inspire colleagues through collaborative projects.
• Time Management: Skill in balancing teaching, scholarship, service, and mentorship responsibilities within a flexible remote work environment.

Career Growth & Professional Development Opportunities

UNT is committed to your long‑term success. As a member of the College of Music, you will have access to a comprehensive suite of professional development resources, including:

• Center for Learning Experimentation, Application, and Research (CLEAR): Grants, workshops, and consulting services that support innovative teaching practices.
• Mentoring Programs: Pairing with senior faculty mentors to refine research agendas and expand pedagogical expertise.
• Conference Support: Funding for attendance at national and international conferences, enabling you to share your work and stay at the cutting edge of music‑history scholarship.
• Internal Seed Grants: Opportunities to develop new courses, pilot digital learning modules, or conduct pedagogical research.
• Pathway to Promotion: The three‑year renewable contract includes clear criteria for advancement to Senior Lecturer or even tenure‑track positions based on teaching excellence, service, and scholarly contributions.

Work Environment & Culture – What It Means to Be Part of UNT

While this position offers remote flexibility, you will be part of a collegial, collaborative community that values:

• Inclusivity: A campus where students, faculty, and staff represent a broad spectrum of cultural, linguistic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Innovation: An environment that encourages experimentation with new teaching methods, interdisciplinary collaborations, and technology‑enhanced learning.
• Support: Access to robust administrative assistance, state‑of‑the‑art facilities, and a vibrant network of scholars across the UNT System.
• Work‑Life Balance: Flexible scheduling, generous leave policies, and a culture that respects personal well‑being.
• Community Engagement: Opportunities to engage with the Dallas‑Fort Worth metropolitan area’s rich musical ecosystem, from local ensembles to major cultural institutions.

Compensation, Perks, & Benefits – A Competitive Package

UNT offers a competitive salary commensurate with experience and rank, aligned with national standards for higher‑education faculty. In addition to base pay, the benefits package includes:

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Retirement plans (including ORP eligibility) with employer matching contributions.
• Generous paid time off, including holiday, sick, and professional‑development leave.
• Tuition remission for employee and dependent continuing education.
• Access to campus facilities such as libraries, rehearsal spaces, and performance venues (available to remote faculty during on‑site visits).
• Employee assistance programs, wellness initiatives, and mental‑health resources.
• Travel support for conferences, research trips, and community outreach activities.

Application Process – How to Join Our Faculty

Ready to make a lasting impact on the next generation of musicians, scholars, and educators? Follow these straightforward steps:

1. Prepare Your Materials: Submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, statement of teaching philosophy, and a list of three professional references (including contact information).
2. Online Submission: Click the “Apply Now” button below, upload your documents, and complete the short questionnaire.
3. Review Timeline: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis beginning immediately; early submissions are encouraged.
4. Interview Process: Qualified candidates will be invited to a virtual interview, including a teaching demonstration and a meeting with faculty and administrators.
5. Decision & Offer: Successful applicants will receive a formal offer outlining salary, rank, and contract terms.

Simple Application Process

Ready to join us? The first step is easy. Click apply now and we'll be in touch soon!

Final Word – Your Next Chapter Starts Here

If you are passionate about shaping music‑history education, thrive in a collaborative, inclusive community, and seek the flexibility of remote work while still being part of a world‑class institution, we want to hear from you. Bring your scholarly curiosity, pedagogical creativity, and dedication to student success to the University of North Texas College of Music, and help us continue to set the standard for excellence in music education.

Apply today and become a catalyst for the future of music scholarship and teaching!

Apply Now