The Department of Music at UMBC seeks an Assistant Professor (full-time, tenure track) in Cello and Contemporary Performance, to begin August 17, 2026. The position is responsible for teaching applied cello chamber music, new music, and improvisation. The individual will be expected to conduct research and creative activity in areas aligned with performance and contemporary music practices as well as perform regularly with the department’s ensemble-in-residence, Ruckus. Active participation in UMBC’s LiveWire festival and other departmental events and initiatives is expected.

The successful applicant will possess a DMA in Music or a Master’s degree with equivalent performance experience. We welcome candidates who may have expertise in musics of other cultural traditions that reflect the candidate’s areas of interest and abilities. A secondary research area is not required, but may include composition, conducting, or music history or theory. Applicants who demonstrate a commitment to diversity and inclusion by way of teaching, performing, publishing, or volunteer experiences are urged to apply.

The applicant should send a current CV; a cover letter detailing qualifications and addressing the candidate’s academic, professional, and teaching preparedness. Additionally, all candidates must submit a separate statement addressing their capacity to respond in pedagogically productive ways to the learning needs of students from diverse backgrounds with specific examples. Additional information may be requested at a later date.

At UMBC, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you're excited about this role but your experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles. We would also be happy to address any questions you might have about the application process. For questions, please contact Professor Lisa Cella, Department of Music: cella@umbc.edu.

For best consideration, please submit all application materials through Interfolio (https://apply.interfolio.com/186049) by June 15, 2026. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

Located in the heart of the culturally rich Baltimore-Washington corridor, the Department of Music is a growing, diverse, and supportive community enrolling 160 undergraduate majors. Housed in the University’s striking new Performing Arts and Humanities Building, the music wing includes a 350-seat performance space with superior acoustics, 9-foot Steinway grand pianos, and fully equipped recording and keyboard labs. All tenure-track faculty maintain robust careers in performance, conducting, or composing on the regional and national level, with many having a research focus in contemporary art-music and some with creative activities that include music as a vehicle for civic engagement and social justice. In addition to its undergraduate degrees, the Department offers a post-baccalaureate Certificate in American Contemporary Music. See https://music.umbc.edu/ for more details.

UMBC, an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer, is especially proud of the diversity of its student body and we seek to attract an equally diverse applicant pool for this position. We have a strong commitment to increasing faculty diversity and are particularly interested in receiving applications from individuals who are members of groups that historically have been underrepresented