Vacancies

Lecturer Film Studies

About the Role

We are looking for a knowledgeable and engaging Lecturer to deliver a range of film & tv studies, screen narrative and industry-focused modules within the BA (Hons) Music (Film Music) pathway at Leeds Conservatoire.

The programme offers a dynamic and forward-facing environment in which students develop an understanding of film, television, video games from creative, cultural, theoretical and professional perspectives. Our teaching ethos prioritises inclusivity, critical enquiry, artistic exploration and professional awareness, preparing students to understand the wider contexts in which music for screen is created and experienced.

This role focuses primarily on the film, director, narrative, aesthetic and industry aspects of the programme. This is not principally a practical film music composition or music production teaching role. It is intended for a lecturer-practitioner with professional experience as a film/tv director, bringing a director-led perspective to the study of narrative, aesthetics, industry practice and the relationship between image, story and music.

The successful applicant will teach across the outgoing degree structure and a new degree curriculum that is being introduced progressively. The modules associated with the role are:

BA (Hons) Music (Film Music) – current degree

Film Music in Context 2 — Year 2 core module
Professional Studies 2 — Year 2 shared optional module, available to students across the BA Music pathways
Professional Studies 3 — Year 3 shared optional module, available to students across the BA Music pathways

BA (Hons) Music (Film, TV & Games Music) – new degree

Understanding Film Narratives — Year 1 core module
Industry in Context — Year 1 core module
Understanding Aesthetics and Meaning in Film — Year 2 core module
Advanced Aesthetics and Meaning in Film — Year 2 core module

Film Music in Context 2 is a shared module delivered alongside another lecturer. The successful applicant will lead the film industry, directing, cultural and contextual elements of the module, while the musical, compositional and analytical content will continue to be delivered by an existing member of staff. All other modules within the role will be planned, delivered and assessed solely by the successful applicant.

The successful applicant will take primary responsibility for the planning, teaching and assessment of the other modules included within the role. They will also undertake formal module coordination for the outgoing Professional Studies modules while these remain part of the curriculum.

The workload will change during the transition to the new degree as the Professional Studies modules are phased out and the new modules are introduced.

All work and hours are indicative and may change each year according to student recruitment, curriculum development and operational requirements.

What You Will Do

You will deliver lectures and seminars across Levels 4, 5 and 6, helping students understand how films and other moving-image forms communicate ideas, construct narratives and create meaning.

Teaching will examine film as both an artistic form and a commercial industry. It will explore the relationships between directors, composers, producers, music supervisors, production teams and audiences, while developing students’ understanding of the professional and cultural contexts in which film and film music operate.

Key Responsibilities

Deliver engaging lectures on film narrative, storytelling, aesthetics, authorship and meaning.
Introduce students to critical approaches for interpreting film and television.
Teach students how to analyse film structure, visual storytelling, scripts, thematic content, genre and narrative function.
Examine the working practices, creative approaches and influence of significant and diverse film directors and other screen practitioners.
Develop students’ understanding of auteur theory and its application to factual, fiction, commercial, independent and global cinema.
Explore the relationship between directors and composers and the ways in which music contributes to narrative, atmosphere, character, commercial identity and audience experience.
Teach the structures and functions of the film, television and film music industries.
Cover professional and commercial areas including production processes, career development, publishing, royalties, intellectual property and copyright.
Examine the relationships between artistic intention, commercial considerations, production practices and audience reception.
Introduce students to international cinema, including commercial film, art film, documentary and television.
Plan and develop teaching materials that reflect current research, industry developments and a diverse range of screen cultures and perspectives.
Support students in developing research skills, critical arguments and independent approaches to analysing film and television industries.
Assess Vlogs, essays, research projects and research portfolios, providing clear and constructive written feedback.
Contribute to moderation, second marking and academic quality-assurance processes where required.
Coordinate Professional Studies 2 and Professional Studies 3.
Work collaboratively with the Film, TV & Games Music team, particularly on the shared delivery of Film Music in Context 2.
Contribute to the successful implementation and continuing development of the new Film, TV & Games Music degree curriculum.

About You

All Applicants Should Have

A degree in a relevant subject such as Film Studies, Screen Studies, Media, Film Production, Creative Industries or a closely related discipline.
Detailed knowledge of film narrative, storytelling, film aesthetics and the ways in which films communicate meaning.
A strong understanding of film history, film theory and critical approaches to analysing moving-image media.
Knowledge of the working practices and creative approaches of significant film directors.
An understanding of auteur theory and its application to a varied range of filmmakers, films and screen cultures.
A broad understanding of the film, television and wider moving-image industries.
Knowledge of the professional, commercial and legal frameworks that support the creative industries.
The ability to discuss the relationship between directors, composers, producers, music supervisors and other members of a screen production team.
Experience of teaching, lecturing, facilitating seminars or supporting learning in higher education or a relevant educational or professional environment.
The ability to communicate complex theoretical, cultural and industry-related ideas clearly and accessibly.
Experience of providing constructive formative and summative feedback.
The ability to assess academic work, including essays, Vlogs and research portfolios.
A research-informed, inclusive and student-centred approach to teaching.
Excellent interpersonal, organisational and communication skills.
The ability to motivate, support and challenge students with different levels of academic experience and confidence.

It Would Be Advantageous to Have

A postgraduate qualification in Film Studies, Screen Studies, Media, Creative Industries or a related discipline.
Professional or research experience in video game production.
Professional or research experience within film, television, production, directing, screen media or the wider creative industries.
Experience of teaching across more than one undergraduate level.
Experience of module coordination, curriculum development or programme development.
Specialist knowledge of global cinema, foreign-language film or international screen cultures.
Knowledge of contemporary distribution, streaming and audience-consumption practices.
Experience of supporting students with extended research projects and research portfolios.

Benefits

At Leeds Conservatoire, there are plenty of benefits available to our staff members, here are just a few:

Annual leave entitlement - If you work full time, you'll get at least 35 days plus bank holidays (pro rata for part time staff).
Generous Pension schemes
- Local Government Pension Scheme
- The People’s Pension
Memberships and discounts - employees can sign up to various membership cards and discount schemes such as TOTUM card (formerly NUS card). Staff can also receive discounted tickets to ‘The Venue’.
Travel and commuting - discounted travel available through Metro card, Northern Rail, First Bus, Arriva Bus and Cycle to work schemes.
Learning and development opportunities - including staff development days
Employee wellbeing initiatives
Flexible and hybrid working opportunities - this will vary depending on role requirements

About Us

Leeds Conservatoire is a successful higher education provider dedicated to music, theatre, and performance, offering a vibrant and supportive learning environment for aspiring artists. Our strong industry connections provide students with invaluable real-world experience and opportunities, equipping them for successful careers in the creative sectors.

We pride ourselves on creating a rewarding and stimulating workplace for our staff, fostering collaboration and innovation within a supportive and creative community. We are committed to nurturing the next generation of artists and are proud to contribute to the vibrant cultural landscape of Leeds and beyond.

At Leeds Conservatoire, we offer development opportunities, allowing our staff to thrive alongside a diverse team of leading professionals and talented students. Our state-of-the-art facilities and thriving student community further enhance our creative environment, making it an inspiring place to work and grow.

As an organisation committed to equality, diversity and inclusion, we are constantly striving to recruit staff which are representative of our student body and the wider region, to enable us to bring new voices to our community.

EQUALITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

We welcome applications from all backgrounds and select candidates on merit against the person specification.

Our processes are designed to:

provide equal opportunity and comply with relevant equality legislation;
reduce bias through structured, evidence-based assessment;
make reasonable adjustments where needed so candidates can perform at their best.

We are committed to a respectful working environment where people are treated with dignity, and where a range of perspectives can be expressed and discussed appropriately within the law and our policies.

To learn more about our approach and objectives, please click here.

RECRUITMENT AGENCIES

We kindly request that recruitment agencies do not forward any unsolicited CVs in relation to any of our advertised roles or speculatively. If we require support with any of our vacancies we will get in touch with agencies directly.

We do not recognise submissions of unsolicited or speculative CV applications from recruitment agencies.
We shall not be liable for any fee / commission in the event we employ a candidate that may have been submitted as an unsolicited/speculative application from an uninstructed recruitment agency.

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