Assistant Professor, Musicology (Tenure Track Appointment)

Faculty/Academic Area: Faculty of Music 

Department: Music Academic 

Campus: Waterloo 

Employee Group: WLUFA 

Requisition ID: 10291 

POSITION SUMMARY

The Faculty of Music at Wilfrid Laurier University invites applications for a Tenure Track position at the level of Assistant Professor in Musicology with a focus on Popular Music, commencing July 1, 2026. We seek a dynamic scholar able to address fundamental questions in Popular Music scholarship. The successful candidate will be expected to design and teach undergraduate courses in Popular Music that are part of the second and third year Core Curriculum, including Music in Popular Culture, Popular Music and Globalization. They will be able to apply theories of race, gender, sexuality and/or decolonialization to popular music in music historical and musicological contexts and be well-versed in popular music history, its global reach, core research topics, and its range of methodologies. Other courses that may be part of the teaching load include Women, Music, and Gender; and Public Musicology. A possibility also exists to develop elective courses in Jazz Topics, Music on Stage and Screen, Music and Colonialism/Postcolonialism, or another area of the candidate’s expertise, at the undergraduate or graduate levels.

The successful candidate will hold a Ph.D in Musicology/Ethnomusicology 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. Though not required, preference will be given to candidates with knowledge of Global Music History as defined by IMS and AMS. Fluency with other genres of music such as Broadway, film music and/or jazz is also an asset. The successful candidate will demonstrate a commitment to an ethical, inclusive, anti-racist, anti-oppressive practice.

L​aurier’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 Laurier Academy of Music and Arts, 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 like Metalworks Institute and Randolph College For The Performing Arts. The Faculty is also home to two cutting-edge research centres: The Manfred and Penny Conrad Institute for Music Therapy Research and the Laurier Centre for Music in the Community. These centres are dedicated to advancing knowledge in music therapy and community music, respectively.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop core courses at the undergraduate level, including Music in Popular Culture, Popular Music and Globalization.
• Teach courses at the undergraduate level, which may include Women, Music, and Gender; Public Musicology, Music of the Afrodiaspora; and develop courses to meet the changing needs of our faculty, for instance, in Jazz Topics; Music on Stage and Screen; Music and Colonialism/Postcolonialism; and/or other courses at the undergraduate and/or graduate level.
• 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 Musicology/Ethnomusicology with a specialization in Popular Music.
• 3+ years teaching experience in Popular Music at the college or university level.
• 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 a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Strong administrative skills.

Preference

• Knowledge and capacity to work in Global Music History and/or a broader understanding of music histories outside/beyond Europe.

Assets

• Experience developing undergraduate courses in Popular Music.
• Evidence of awards and/or grants in Popular Music research.
• Expertise to teach pre-existing courses in the curriculum including, Women, Music, and Gender; Public Musicology; Music of the Afrodiaspora.
• Capacity/expertise to develop courses that meet the changing needs of our faculty, for example Jazz Topics; Music on Stage and Screen; Music and Colonialism/Postcolonialism.

How to apply

The Assistant Professor, Musicology position is a full-time, tenure-track appointment which will be available from July 1, 2026.  Salary, benefits, and terms of employment are governed by the Collective Agreement between Wilfrid Laurier University and Wilfrid Laurier University Faculty Association for Full-time Faculty and Professional Librarians, available at: The Agreements - WLUFA.  Salary will be commensurate with experience and skills.

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 Music in Popular Culture; & Popular Music and Globalization;
• 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.

Contact information of three academic referees willing to provide a letter of reference should also be included. Only complete applications will be considered.  All applications must include the Position Number 10291, and should be addressed electronically to:

Kirsten Yri

Faculty Search Committee Chair

Faculty of Music

Wilfrid Laurier University

musicjobs@wlu.ca

Application deadline is December 1, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. EST.

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 indigenous@wlu.ca. 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 equity@wlu.ca.

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 (mcorbett@wlu.ca). Further information on the equity policy can be found at https://www.wlu.ca/about/governance/assets/resources/8.4-employment-equity.html.

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 (fomdeansoffice@wlu.ca).

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. Position subject to budgetary approval.

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.

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 careers.wlu.ca/content/How-to-apply/

Should you be interested in learning more about this opportunity, please visit www.wlu.ca/careers 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.