Bassoon Professor Jobs (NOW HIRING)

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

• CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
• CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
• If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click "Apply" and complete the application process for external applicants.

Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.
This is a term position; length of the term will be discussed during the interview process. Continuation past the term length discussed will be based on university need, performance, and/or availability of funding.
POSITION SPECIFICS
The Penn State School of Music invites applications for a full-time, fixed-term, renewable Assistant Teaching Professor of Music: Bassoon, beginning Fall 2026. We seek an inspiring colleague who is committed to creative and inclusive approaches to music performing, teaching, and learning. The successful candidate will join a collaborative team of studio faculty, contribute to undergraduate and graduate instruction for music majors, minors, and non-majors, and enjoy shared responsibility for creating and developing curricula. The position is designed for a colleague who values student-centered teaching, a high level of personal musicianship, and multiple musical and pedagogical perspectives. This position will involve a substantial secondary teaching assignment based on the applicant's strengths (see responsibilities, below, for specifics).
Responsibilities

• Teach applied bassoon lessons, studio classes, and reed making to undergraduate and graduate majors and minors; prepare students for juries, auditions, and degree recitals.
• Teach Bassoon Techniques (for music education majors), and bassoon literature and pedagogy courses as assigned.
• Actively recruit undergraduate and graduate bassoonists; participate in recruitment, engagement, and outreach activities that support the bassoon studio and the School of Music.
• Maintain an inclusive, high-achieving studio and a collaborative culture with ensemble areas.
• Perform with The Pennsylvania Quintet (resident faculty wind quintet) and participate in additional on-campus faculty performances as part of professional development.
• Teach or provide administrative leadership in a secondary area of the candidate's expertise: for example, music education, theory, technology/recording, arts leadership/career development, community engagement, musician wellness, chamber music, popular music, or other. (Examples are illustrative, not exhaustive.)
• Participate in auditions, serve on committees, and contribute appropriate service to the School, College, and profession.
• Maintain national and regional visibility as a performer/pedagogue.

Required Qualifications

• Master of Music in Bassoon Performance (or closely related field)
• Demonstrated effectiveness as a performer and teacher.
• Ability to teach in and/or administer a substantial secondary area of contribution to the School of Music.
• Ability to work effectively with learners from varied backgrounds and to collaborate within a diverse academic and artistic community.

Preferred Qualifications

• Terminal degree in Music (DMA or equivalent) preferred.
• Demonstrated success in recruiting, mentoring, and retaining undergraduate and/or graduate students.
• Engagement with community, professional, or outreach activities related to instrumental music; experience teaching diverse student populations in inclusive learning environments.
• Collegiate teaching experience beyond applied studio instruction.

Application Instructions
Please submit the following as a single PDF:
1. Cover Letter (2 pages maximum): Describe your interest in this position and provide specific examples that align with the required/preferred qualifications. Briefly outline your teaching philosophy in applied bassoon and how you support student success.
2. Curriculum Vitae.
3. Statement of Secondary Area(s) (2 pages maximum): Describe one or more secondary areas of contribution you would bring to the School (curricular, co-curricular, or administrative). Discuss relevant experiences, skills, and perspectives, and how your contributions would support positive student outcomes in a comprehensive School of Music.
4. Links to recent, representative videos of bassoon performances (total duration not to exceed 30 minutes).
5. Names and contact information for three professional references.
Review of applications will begin on April 16th, 2026, and continue until the position is filled.
BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES
This position requires the following clearances in addition to applicable background checks: PA State Police Criminal Background Check, PA Child Abuse History Clearance Form, and Federal (FBI) Fingerprint Criminal Background Check.
BENEFITS
Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional wellbeing. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children.
For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page. (Note: For Postdoctoral benefits, please see our Postdoctoral Benefits page.)
CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS
Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.
EEO IS THE LAW
Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.
Penn State is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university's teaching, research, and service mission.
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