Boston University invites applications for a faculty position at the rank of Associate Professor of the Practice: Vertical Filmmaking / Content Creator in the Department of Film and Television at Boston University’s College of Communication.

We seek a colleague with a professional track record in the creation and development of original short-form content aimed at promoting, activating, and motivating young people through social activism, experimentation, entertainment, brand building, and audience engagement across today’s leading content platforms and social media ecosystems.

Qualified applicants will be distinguished practitioners with a passion for teaching and a strong body of produced original IP – including short form and micro-content – that sparks interaction and drives action. A background in storytelling that is visually compelling, character-driven, or experimental in format is encouraged.

Candidates should be fluent in influencer and creator trends, short-form video ecosystems (e.g. TikTok, Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, Snapchat) and dynamics such as viral formats and platform algorithms. Additional expertise in vertical video production, mobile-first marketing, and platform analytics (including A/B Testing, engagement metrics, and niche audience strategies) is considered a plus. This instructor will prepare students to become versatile digital creators who can both produce and edit exceptional short-form video content. They should bring a sharp eye for design, motion graphics (GFX), pacing, and the evolving dynamics of audience growth. Familiarity with emerging tools such as AI-assisted editing, creator platform dashboards, and transmedia storytelling approaches is considered a strong plus. The position may also require teaching existing production courses at the introductory and intermediate levels. Candidates should be enthusiastic about guiding students through hands-on creative processes, encouraging innovation, design awareness, and critical thinking in a fast-changing media landscape. The successful candidate will contribute to the department’s evolving curriculum and help shape how we prepare students for careers at the intersection of storytelling, production, and digital media.

Duties require teaching three courses per semester at the undergraduate and graduate level, plus service, which includes committee work. Department faculty are also encouraged to propose and develop new courses in their field of expertise. An advanced degree at the university level is preferred.

TO APPLY:

Applicants should submit a cover letter, a resume or CV, the names, titles and contact information for three references, and a personal statement on teaching philosophy. If the candidate has university teaching experience, students’ teaching evaluations from previous institutions should be included in the application. Links to samples of creative work should also be included.

Electronic applications should be sent to ftsearch@bu.edu and addressed to Kellie Innes, Department Administrator.

Questions may be directed to search co-chairs Tunji Akinsehinwa (tunjia@bu.edu) and Margaret Wallace (mwatbu@bu.edu). All inquiries will be kept confidential.

This is a non-tenure track position with an initial three-year, renewable appointment. Deadline for applications is January 30, 2026. Review of materials will begin and continue until the position is filled. The proposed start date is January 1, 2027.

IMPORTANT: Do not apply through the BU Careers Website. Please direct all applications and inquiries to the above contact. Applications submitted through the BU Careers Website will not be reviewed.

Required Skills

Compensation is highly competitive and budgeted in the range of $110,000 to $120,000 annually, depending on experience. Boston University offers a comprehensive benefits package, which adds significantly to the employee’s total compensation.

Since its founding in 1839, Boston University has embraced a mission of openness and access, becoming one of the first universities in the nation to welcome all students of ability regardless of race, gender, or creed. That tradition shapes our enduring commitment to academic freedom, free inquiry, and the robust exchange of ideas.

We seek scholars who will contribute to our community of teachers and researchers through excellence in innovative scholarship, engaged teaching, and participation in the intellectual life of the University. Boston University provides an environment where faculty and students work together across disciplines, perspectives, and experiences to advance knowledge and address society’s most pressing challenges.

Boston University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, age, national origin, ethnicity, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the University’s Notice of Non-Discrimination. Retaliation is also prohibited. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor. Under Massachusetts law, we may not require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. 

Boston University, consistent with the AAU’s Principles on Preventing Sexual Harassment, conducts background checks for final candidates for certain faculty and staff positions. As part of this process, we ask current and past employers of the last seven years whether there has been a substantiated finding of sexual misconduct under their policies. To move forward, final candidates must complete and sign an “Authorization to Release Information” form after receiving an offer to enable this background check.

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For more information, please visit Boston University’s careers page here