Assistant Teaching Professor of Scenic Design

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Bucknell University is pleased to invite applications for an Assistant Teaching Professor of Scenic Design for the Department of Theatre and Dance. The start date for this position will be August 1, 2026. This is a full-time, three-year fixed term, renewable faculty position. 

The Department of Theatre and Dance maintains a tradition of strong artistic collaboration among its faculty, staff, and students and a vibrant production season. Our active undergraduate training program offers a major and minors in Theatre and a minor in Dance. We present three co-curricular productions in theatre, two dance concerts, and a studio season of 3-5 student-directed plays and studio dance concerts. Theatre productions are staged in the 475-seat Harvey M. Powers Theater (proscenium stage) and 50' x 50' Tustin Studio Theater. Dance concerts are produced in the Harvey M. Powers Theater, Tustin Theater, and in the Weis Center for the Performing Arts.

Responsibilities:

This faculty member will play a primary role in coordinating and evolving Bucknell's scenic design curriculum, serving both major and minor students and the general student population. Requirements for the position include having a versatile range of design training, excellent scenic painting and prop crafting skills, and significant knowledge of design history and styles. 
 
The load time (3/3) includes teaching undergraduate Theatre classes, three departmental scenic designed productions per year (two of which will be theatre main stage productions and the third will rotate between theatre and dance) as well as serving as a scenic design/props consultant and/or coordinator on all student theatre productions produced by the department. Teaching requirements could include classes in the area of the candidate's specialization. Load time includes two course releases that are awarded annually for design and production work within the departmental season. Service within the university is also a required component of this position. 

The successful candidate will teach courses for majors as well as "outward facing" courses that support the College of Arts and Sciences Core Curriculum (CASCC), such as Foundation Seminars, Interdisciplinary Perspectives courses, and courses that fulfill CASCC requirements: "Nature, People, and Justice;" "Race, Power, and Inequality;" and "Global Connections." The successful candidate will cultivate and employ inclusive, student-centered teaching and learning strategies that contribute to the advancement of a well-established department that serves an increasingly diverse student body. 

The successful candidate will demonstrate effective collaborative skills to develop concepts and realize designs with production teams composed of students, faculty, and staff. The successful candidate will be expected to participate in departmental service, which could include such possibilities as mentoring student designers and contributing to academic advising, departmental committee work and student recruitment. Additionally, the successful candidate will actively participate in community building across the campus, eventually partnering with other programs, centers, student groups, or affinity programs. This is a full-time, benefits eligible position. Bucknell offers a competitive wage and comprehensive benefits plan. 
 
 

Required Qualifications:

• MFA Terminal degree with accompanying scenic design experience and experience facilitating theatrical performance/stage productions.
• Two or more years of scenic design experience.
• Experience in properties management, scenic painting and related skills. 
• Experience in undergraduate teaching.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated commitment to building an inclusive educational environment. 
• Ability to work collaboratively with other faculty, staff, directors, choreographers and designers.
• Experience mentoring student workers.
• Experience/proficiency with projection, CAD, digital visualization.

Salary:

The salary range for this position is $76,725-$78,725.

How to Apply:
Applications may only be submitted at Completed applications should include: 

• Curriculum Vitae
• A cover letter with a discussion of why the candidate is interested in teaching at a liberal arts college
• A teaching and artistic philosophy
• Link to portfolio 

Note: Candidates that progress to the interview stage will be asked to provide names and contact information for three references, so that letters of recommendation may be obtained.

Applications will be accepted until November 30, 2025. The review of applications will begin December 1, 2025. We seek to fill the position by February, 2026, with a start date August 1, 2026. 

Bucknell University is a private university with a commitment to liberal arts and has over 3900 undergraduates located in central Pennsylvania approximately three hours to New York City and Philadelphia.  
 

Benefits: 

Eligible full- and part-time employees are compensated beyond base salary through our total rewards package that includes (but is not limited to):

• Flexible scheduling options determined by role; 
• Medical, prescription drug, vision, dental, life, and long-term disability insurance options
• An outstanding 10% employer contribution to your retirement plan (no contribution requirement for non-exempt positions)
• Full-time and part-time members of the faculty and staff are eligible for tuition remission for themselves. Additionally, full-time members of the faculty and staff are eligible for tuition remission for their spouse/spousal equivalent and are eligible for various tuition programs for their children. Credit for full-time benefits eligible employment at other institutions of higher education will be applied to waiting periods.
• A comprehensive employee wellness program including program incentives
• A myriad of other benefits, including parental leave, an employee assistance program, fitness center membership, and the power of your Bucknell ID card

To learn more about Bucknell's benefits, click here (*Eligibility criteria and waiting periods may apply.)

Inclusive Excellence:
Bucknell is committed to fostering an environment that embraces diversity, equity and inclusion, and seeks candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports the growth and development of a diverse campus community.  We endeavor to enhance our capacity to value and capitalize on the cultural richness that diversity brings.  We encourage all individuals to apply and do not discriminate in admissions, employment, educational programs and/or activities on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, disability, pregnancy, sex/gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, marital or family status, military or veteran status, or genetic information.

E-Verify

Bucknell University participates with the United States Customs and Immigration Services (USCIS) E-Verify program.  We will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

For additional information regarding Bucknell's E-Verify requirements, please contact the office of Talent, Culture & Human Resources or email