ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY

Assistant Professor of Visual Arts (Photography)

The Department of Visual Arts at Union College seeks applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor of Visual Arts (Photography), beginning September 1st, 2024. Primary teaching responsibilities include two in-person courses in each of three ten-week terms (six contact hours per week per course, six courses per year). Courses will include introductory 35mm b/w film developing and wet darkroom techniques (required for all Studio majors and a popular gateway to other Visual Arts courses), intermediate and advanced darkroom, digital, and color processes, and the development of intermediate and advanced thematic or process-specific courses, depending on the candidate's field of specialty and departmental needs. These may include thematic courses, alternative processes, or some combination thereof, planned in consultation with the department as we develop future curricular goals. This position will also work with senior majors, honors thesis students, and advanced independent study students. The Visual Arts Department Studio majors receive a BA, with courses in Drawing, Sculpture/3-dimensional, Photography, Printmaking, and Art History as the core. The department also supports Union's new General Education curriculum with increased focus on Global Challenges and Justice, Equity, Inclusion, and Difference in courses for majors, minors, and GenEd. Candidates who demonstrate engagement with contemporary issues and diverse perspectives in their scholarly work and in the classroom are especially encouraged to apply (please visit this link for more information about the GenEd curriculum). This position will also provide the opportunity for interdisciplinary and interdepartmental collaboration, undertaken in consultation with the department.

The Department seeks a candidate with an extensive familiarity with photographic history and technical practices. Candidates should have a minimum of two years' college or graduate level teaching experience beyond the TA. They should also have an active, ongoing studio practice, a strong exhibition record, productive connections with the contemporary photography and art worlds, and, most importantly, promise and potential for continued scholarly successes. Union's Studio program consists of four tenure positions (in Painting/Drawing, Sculpture, Digital Art, and Photography) and a full-time Lecturer in Printmaking. The department is also home to four tenured Art Historians. For information about the department and facility, please visit this link.

Additional responsibilities include: periodic curation of exhibitions in the Crowell and West Galleries, engaging students outside the classroom through field trips and guest speakers, supervising the Photography lab technician and oversight of and planning for the Photography materials, supplies, and equipment budget. This position also comes with expectations of departmental and college-wide service, chosen in consultation with the department chair.

Minimum Qualifications

1. A Master of Fine Arts degree from an accredited institution
2. Minimum two years' experience teaching Photography at the college level, including wet darkroom and digital practices
3. Strong exhibition record with evidence of an active, ongoing studio practice, and potential for continued success
4. Demonstrated experience with teaching a range of photographic processes and techniques

Application Instructions

The deadline for submitting applications is December 8, 2023. Please visit jobs.union.edu to register for access to the application portal. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Please include:

1. Cover Letter, including a discussion of motivation to seek to teach at Union College
2. Curriculum Vitae/Resume 
3. A separate list of courses taught as instructor of record by institution, year, and semester/term, with at least three syllabi from courses at different levels, including materials such as assignments, project prompts, and readings (in one PDF or link to a website)
4. Artist's statement, including a sketch of a future artistic trajectory and projects in development
5. A statement on teaching, which should include a discussion of teaching philosophy, teaching practice and experience, and a discussion of the role of diversity, equity, and inclusion in pedagogy
6. Portfolio of recent professional work (20 images maximum, in one PDF or link to a website). Each image should include title, date, media, and dimensions,
7. Examples of student work, ideally from the courses mentioned above (20 images maximum, in one PDF or link to a website). Each image should include course level, date, and assignment.
8. Names and contact information for three recommenders, as indicated in the application portal at jobs.union.edu. The system will automatically send email requests for letters of recommendation.

We know some job seekers may not apply for career opportunities unless they meet every qualification in the position description including the preferred qualifications. We are most interested in hiring the best staff and faculty colleagues, and recognize that a successful candidate may come from a less traditional career path. We encourage you to apply, even if you don’t believe you meet every one of our preferred qualifications.

Note: All new hires of Union College are subject to a thorough education, work experience, criminal history background check and pre-employment physical where applicable.

Compensation

The annual salary range for this position is $80,000 - $82,000. Except for roles with a set rate of pay, the wage/salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training. The stated hiring rate/range represents the College’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the rate/range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

We offer exceptional benefits including:

• Generous Vacation, Sick and Personal Time
• Winter Recess Break in Addition to Paid Holidays
• Healthcare, Dental, and Vision Insurance (Flexible Spending and Dependent Care Accounts)
• Free On-Campus Fitness Facility Access and Discounts for On-Campus Wellness Programs
• Employee Scholarships toward Certifications, Seminars, Training and Professional Development
• Pre and Post Tax participation in a 403(b) Retirement Plan
• Salary Continuation Program in the event of Disability
• Tuition Assistance Program for Employee, Spouse and/or Dependents

Accommodations

If you require an accommodation throughout the interview process, please don't hesitate to contact our Human Resources department at hr@union.edu or 518-388-6108. We are committed to ensuring that all candidates have equal access to opportunities and can participate in a fair and inclusive hiring process.

Diversity at Union College

Union College is an equal opportunity employer and strongly committed to student and workforce diversity. Increasing diversity on campus is a critical priority for Union, one that is integral to our mission of preparing students for a globally interconnected world. Union provides a blend of intellectual, social and cultural opportunities to facilitate the integrated academic, social and personal development of a diverse community. We value and are committed to a host of diverse populations and cultures including, but not limited to, those based on race, religion, disability, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national origin and veteran status. Union College is committed to providing access and will provide reasonable accommodation in its application process to individuals with disabilities that request such accommodations.

Non-Discrimination Policy

Union College will not discriminate in the recruitment or selection of faculty and employees, or in any other area of employment, on the basis of age, sex, race, national origin, religion, religious belief, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression and veteran status. In this regard, opportunities for advancement will be made available without bias. The College is also subject to state and federal laws, supports efforts to attract and retain fully qualified women and other minority group members for faculty and other positions. Union College will comply with the letter and intent of all State and Federal laws and applicable orders pursuant to Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action.

Union College

Union College is a small, highly selective undergraduate institution located in the Capital District of New York. Union offers competitive salaries, research support, and an exceptional benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision insurance, and life and disability coverage. For more information, please visit our website: https://www.union.edu/human-resources/benefits. Our location in the Capital District offers a robust local and regional art scene, with active artist communities shared between Albany, Schenectady, Saratoga Springs, and Troy, NY. The region is home to a number of important contemporary art institutions and museums, and is a few hours' drive from New York City, Boston, and Montreal.