Tenure Track Position in Fiction and Documentary Directing and Editing

Posted: February 27, 2024

Deadline to Apply: Posted until filled

Located in downtown Toronto, the largest and most culturally diverse city in Canada and on the territory of the Anishinaabeg, Haudenosaunee and the Wendat Peoples, the School of Image Arts in the Creative School at Toronto Metropolitan University [ ] (formerly Ryerson University) invites applications for a tenure track position at the rank of Assistant Professor, subject to final budgetary approval. The normal start date for this position is July 1, 2024. Candidates who need to be considered for a later start date may also be considered.

The successful candidate will engage in a combination of teaching, scholarly research or creative activity and service duties while maintaining an inclusive, equitable, and collegial work environment across all activities. The School of Image Arts is seeking an experienced content creator and storyteller in film with proven expertise in directing and editing in both fiction and documentary. The role is ideal for candidates actively engaged in the film industry, committed to sharing their knowledge with next generation filmmakers and mentoring beyond the classroom to assist students in entering the Canadian film industry through internships or intensive learning opportunities.

Due to the interdisciplinary nature of the School of Image Arts' curriculum, the successful candidate will teach in both the School of Image Arts and the RTA School of Media. Teaching may include courses in Image Arts such as Documentary Production, Fiction Production and Creative Editing and courses such as Intermediate Single-Camera and Editing in the RTA School of Media. Teaching in the Documentary Media (MFA) graduate program is an additional responsibility and graduate supervision is expected. The position also includes curriculum development across undergraduate and graduate programs. The successful candidate will pursue a strong, innovative research program or creative activity that is externally funded and that produces cutting-edge, high quality results.

The successful candidate will hold a Master's degree (MFA, or equivalent) in a related field with relevant professional experience. The School of Image Arts is particularly interested in candidates who have experience working with students from diverse backgrounds and a demonstrated commitment to experiential learning. In addition, the successful candidate must present evidence of the following:

• extensive experience directing and editing fiction and documentary film, television, streaming, and/or emerging media;
• significant professional experience and background in story development for documentary and narrative scripted productions;
• leadership experience in film production or in related organizations and institutions;
• professional experience in editing and post production management and industry standard workflows;
• deep connections with the Canadian and international film industries, with a record of active engagement with the film industry and professional organizations;
• strong emerging scholarly research and/or creative activity that is current, innovative and impactful as evidenced by, but not limited to, peer-reviewed publications, working papers, public policy contributions, presentations at academic conferences, community and professional work, grants, research related awards and other writing or creative production that contributes to the visibility and prominence of the discipline;
• an ability to serve as a mentor and professional liaison for students;
• evidence of high-quality teaching, demonstrated ability to teach a range of core film editing and production courses as well as courses related to the production of documentary and fiction narrative student films;
• demonstrated potential for teaching excellence at all levels of the undergraduate curriculum and suitability for teaching in the graduate program, as evidenced by a teaching dossier that includes a teaching philosophy statement, experience with course and curriculum review and/or development, examples of best practices in pedagogy, including effective use of classroom technology and any experience with experiential learning, sample syllabi, strong teaching evaluations, teaching awards, and other relevant achievements in teaching. Teaching experience outside the traditional academic environment will be considered. Curriculum development experience will be considered an asset, as will administrative academic experience in a leadership role;
• commitment to our values of equity, diversity, and inclusion as it pertains to service, teaching, and scholarly research or creative activities, including a demonstrated ability to make learning accessible and inclusive for a diverse student population; and
• an ability and willingness to contribute to collegial service, leadership and a desire to help shape the future direction of the School.

Serving a highly diverse student population of over 45,000, with 100+ undergraduate and graduate programs built on the integration of theoretical and practical learning and distinguished by a professionally focused curriculum with a strong emphasis on excellence in teaching, research and creative activities, TMU is a vibrant, urban university known for its culture of innovation, entrepreneurship, community engagement and city-building through its award-winning architecture.

The School of Image Arts offers undergraduate and graduate (Master's) programs to students of diverse backgrounds. Our faculty prides itself on the excellence of its research, the quality of its teaching and community engagement. We are interested in candidates who will contribute to our existing strengths in research/creative activity and teaching through academic, professional and diverse lived experiences and perspectives. The School's unique and professionally-focused undergraduate curriculum supports programs in Photography and Film and it is recognized as a national and international centre for creative innovation in the study, production, exhibition, and research of film, photography and digital arts. Its innovative graduate programs include the MFA in Documentary Media, the MA in Film + Photographic Preservation and Collections Management and an interdisciplinary program in Scriptwriting and Story Design (MFA). The School's programs are designed to lead to careers in film, photography, communications, education, and broader cultural industries.

The School of Image Arts is committed to the principles of equity, diversity and inclusion, and to the development of an increasingly diversified faculty. The School strongly encourages applications from candidates who self-identify as Black, racialized (also referred to as visible or racial minorities), First Nations, Métis and Inuit Peoples and Indigenous Peoples of North America, persons with disabilities, and those who identify as women and/or 2SLGBTQ+. Further, all candidates are encouraged to provide details of how their lived experiences inform their work.

At the intersection of mind and action, Toronto Metropolitan University is on a transformative path to become Canada's leading comprehensive innovation university. At TMU, we believe that equity, diversity and inclusion are integral to this path; our current Academic Plan outlines each as core values and we work to embed them in all that we do.

Dedicated to a people first culture, TMU is proud to rank number one on the Forbes list of Canada's Best Employers for Diversity.

TMU is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. To find out more about legal and policy obligations please visit the Accessibility and Human Rights websites.

Toronto Metropolitan University welcomes those who have demonstrated a commitment to upholding the values of equity, diversity, and inclusion and will assist us to expand our capacity for diversity in the broadest sense. In addition, to correct the conditions of disadvantage in employment in Canada, we encourage applications from members of groups that have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples, Indigenous peoples of North America, Black-identified persons, other racialized persons, persons with disabilities, and those who identify as women and/or 2SLGBTQ+.

• a teaching dossier and results of teaching evaluations; and
• names and contact information of three individuals who may be contacted for references.
• a one-page statement on past, current and/or planned contributions to equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) such as, but not limited to: research/ teaching that incorporates a focus on underrepresented groups; inclusive pedagogies; public engagement activities that reach out to marginalized communities; mentoring students from underrepresented groups.
  
  

Please note that all qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, applications from Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority, in accordance with Canadian immigration regulations.

Any confidential inquiries about the opportunity can be directed to Blake Fitzpatrick, the Department Hiring Committee Chair at: .

For any confidential accommodation needs in order to participate in the recruitment and selection process and/or inquiries regarding accessing the Recruitment Portal, please contact .