Detailed Job Description

The School of Photographic Arts and Sciences invites applicants for a visiting assistant professor in the history of photography to teach in its Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) and Master of Fine Arts (MFA) art history curriculum to start in August 2025. The successful candidate will teach undergraduate and graduate-level courses in the history, theory, and criticism of photography and at least two courses in the Art History curriculum in the School of Art per year. Applicants must demonstrate a strong research profile and a commitment to teaching at the undergraduate and graduate levels. This role is a three-year visiting position with the option to renew to a maximum five-year term.

We seek an individual who is able and interested in contributing to a community committed to student-centeredness, professional development, integrity, and ethics; respect, diversity, and pluralism; innovation and flexibility; and teamwork and collaboration. Select to view links to RIT’s core values, honor code, and statement of diversity.


Department/College Description

The School of Photographic Arts and Sciences (SPAS) is internationally recognized for its professional study of photographic practices in a wide array of related disciplines, including advertising, fine art, photojournalism, visual media, and photographic sciences. The MFA in Photography and Related Media is a top-ten ranked graduate program in Photography. To learn more about the programs, faculty and students in SPAS, please visit http://cad.rit.edu/photography.

RIT's College of Art and Design is the university's creative hub where art, design, science, and technology intersect in our 200,000+ sq. ft. facility. We are a dynamic and professional arts and design community comprised of nearly 2,000 students (UG and Grad), 140 full-time faculty, 60 creative staff, and a number of professional part-time faculty, all of whom contribute to our College’s ecosystem. The College’s four schools offer programs in Art, Design, Crafts, Film and Animation, Photography and Photographic Sciences. The range of innovative programs offers students a panoramic perspective from creating fine art using centuries-old methods to pushing the boundaries of digital creativity. The College of Art and Design also takes full advantage of RIT’s opportunities in technology, STEM, engineering, sustainability, and entrepreneurism programs, as well as our global campuses, https://rit.edu/artdesign.


Required Minimum Qualifications

A PhD in Art History or related field
Minimum two years of higher education teaching experience beyond graduate school
Record of scholarship at the national and international level
Demonstrated conceptual, historical, and theoretical knowledge of contemporary photography
Ability to teach modern and/or contemporary art history within a global context
Commitment to working with student artists at the undergraduate and graduate levels and willingness to support them in developing their creative perspectives
Ability to contribute in meaningful ways to the School’s legacy as a leader in photographic education and the College’s continuing commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.