« Back to Jobs Listing

​Assistant Professor in Photography and the History of Photography

Location: Boulder, CO
Posted: December 22, 2025
Application Deadline: February 21, 2026

Contact

University of Colorado Boulder
Albert Chong
Albert.Chong@colorado.edu
3100 Marine Street
Boulder, CO, 80303

The Department of Art and Art History at the University of Colorado-Boulder invites applications for a full-time tenure track Assistant Professor in Photography and the History of Photography. The selected candidate will teach three classes in photographic art practice and one class on the history of photography and critical issues in photography per academic year. Prospective candidates should have a minimum of two years of teaching experience in a comparable academic institution. As a department with a well-established darkroom program, we seek candidates with a deep knowledge of and practice in traditional chemical-based photography and experience with a diverse range of film cameras. Interest in alternative non-silver processes such as cyanotypes, Van Dykes, and other similar practices are also welcome. The candidate should also be well versed in diverse forms of digital photography.

​The candidate should have a demonstrated interest in teaching courses in the history of photography from its nineteenth-century beginnings to the present day, emphasizing global contexts and inclusive perspectives. Candidates whose teaching, research, or creative work engages AI image-generating tools are also desirable, as we recognize the urgency of educating current and future generations in the complexities of image-making.

​The department allows faculty broad latitude in designing and teaching courses that satisfy the needs of graduate and undergraduate students and encourages faculty to seek out content for new courses that promote interdisciplinary approaches. The department's long-running Visiting Scholars and Visiting Artist Programs provide faculty with additional resources to complement their classroom teaching and professional outreach. The CU Art Museum offers further opportunities for teaching from the collection.

CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

​​Tenure-track faculty in the Department of Art and Art History are expected to maintain an active research or creative practice agenda while contributing to teaching and service at all levels of the curriculum.

​The workload includes:
Teaching (40%): Teach four courses per academic year, which include 3 courses in photographic art practices and 1 course in history of photography. Faculty are expected to contribute to and strengthen the undergraduate and graduate curriculum, collaborate with faculty to expand online offerings, and advise graduate and upper-level undergraduate students.
Research / Creative Work (40%): Maintain an active career as a professional artist, demonstrated through exhibitions, publications, grants, awards, and other forms of peer-reviewed recognition.
Service (20%): Participate actively in departmental and college governance, serve on committees, and contribute to service activities at the college, campus, community, and professional levels—locally, nationally, and internationally

What You Should Know

The position will begin in August 2026
The position will be at the rank of Assistant Professor

What We Can Offer

Salary of $80,000-$92,000
Generous studio space in the Visual Arts Complex
The final candidate may be eligible to receive relocation funds, start-up library funds, and start-up research funds subject to university policy.
Tenure-track faculty are eligible for benefits, including gender-neutral paid parental leave; housing down-payment assistance programs; a relocation and dual career assistance program; and teaching, research, and professional development.

At the University of Colorado Boulder, we are committed to supporting the holistic health and well-being of our employees. Our comprehensive benefits package includes medical, dental, and retirement plans; generous paid time off; tuition assistance for you and your dependents; and an ECO Pass for local transit. As one of Boulder County's largest employers, CU Boulder offers an inspiring academic community and access to world-class outdoor recreation.

What We Require

​​The minimum qualification for this position is the Master of Fine Art degree or equivalent qualifications. Equivalent Degrees would include a PhD with demonstrated artistic practice, or an M.A. plus a well demonstrated exhibition history in notable national and/or international institutions.
​Preference will be given to candidates with at least two years of teaching experience as the instructor of record in a comparable academic educational institution. The candidate must also have an accomplished record as an artist, including exhibitions, residencies, grants, publications, critical recognition, or commissions.

Special Instructions

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled; however, for full consideration, please apply by February 6, 2026.

To view the job posting in its entirety and apply to this position, please visit: https://jobs.colorado.edu/jobs/JobDetail/Assistant-Professor-in-Photography-and-the-History-of-Photography/69130

Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, please apply through CU Boulder Jobs (https://www.colorado.edu/jobs/).