Visiting Assistant Professor - Screenwriting and Writing for Television

The Department of Theatre, Film, and Digital Production seeks a Visiting Assistant Professor (VAP) in Screenwriting with demonstrated expertise in writing for Television for Spring 2026. The successful candidate will teach two courses, one in our undergraduate program (TFDP 166C - Rewriting the Screenplay), and another in our MFA Program, (CWPA 268 - Writing the Half-Hour Television Comedy). We are particularly interested in candidates with professional credits in screenwriting and TV writing, who can connect students to the professional world of film, television, and streaming content. The ability to bring in industry guests-either in person or remotely-is highly desirable. Candidates should demonstrate a strong commitment to inclusive teaching practices, student mentorship, and fostering creative development within a diverse student body. The ideal candidate will bring both professional expertise and pedagogical skill to help graduate students develop original work for Film and TV screen, understand the mechanics of storytelling, and navigate the creative and collaborative processes of screenwriting.

Note: All applicants who currently hold an appointment at another University of California campus are ineligible for the Visiting Assistant Professor title at the University of California, Riverside and should instead apply to JPF02205 Adjunct Assistant Professor.

Two parallel recruitments are being conducted to address the department's instructional need: Adjunct Assistant Professor (for applicants who are currently employed by the UC) and Visiting Assistant Professor (for applicants who are not currently employed by the UC). Applicants should apply to the recruitment for which they are eligible.

Key Responsibilities:

* Teach a range of Screenwriting and writing for Television for both the undergraduate and the MFA level.

* Prepare and deliver dynamic, engaging lectures and workshops that reflect current industry practices and artistic trends.

* Develop and update course materials, including syllabi, readings, writing assignments, and project guidelines that reflect best practices in Screenwriting.

* Provide individualized and group feedback to support students' artistic growth and technical skill development in storytelling, structure, and voice.

* Assess and evaluate student work, including written scripts and performance-based projects, with transparency and consistency using established rubrics.

* Foster a collaborative classroom environment that encourages critical thinking, creative risk-taking, and professional discipline.

* Stay current on evolving industry standards, platforms, and formats, particularly in television, digital storytelling, and new media.

* Collaborate with colleagues in Theatre, Film, and Digital Production to ensure alignment with departmental learning goals and interdisciplinary initiatives.

* Support student career development by leveraging professional networks and facilitating industry connections through guest speakers, panels, and mentorship.

Our department is committed to reflecting our student diversity in the ways in which we construct our syllabi in content and course design, including expansive and wide-ranging perspectives in the scripts, texts, and artists we teach.

The salary is approx. $13,466.67per course, per quarter. Positions are contingent upon funding and enrollment.

Area of Specialization: Screenwriting & TV writing

Required Qualifications:

* Terminal degree (MFA, PhD) in Screenwriting, Playwriting, Creative Writing, Theatre, Film, Television, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience in screenwriting or television writing.

* Demonstrated professional credits in screenwriting and/or television writing.

* Documented experience teaching at the college or university level.

* Demonstrated ability to engage students in both the theoretical and practical aspects of writing for stage and screen.

* Strong understanding of storytelling structure, character development, genre conventions, and comedic timing across multiple media platforms.

* Familiarity with the professional standards and practices of the film and television industry, including writers' room dynamics, pitching, and production processes.

* Proven ability to provide constructive feedback on student work and support artistic development in a collaborative, inclusive classroom environment.

* Demonstrated commitment to fostering belonging, opportunity, accessibility, and respect in teaching and creative practice.

Qualifications Required (at time of application):

* Terminal degree (MFA, PhD) or equivalent professional experience in either Screenwriting, Playwriting, Creative Writing, Film, Television, Theatre, or a related field.

* Professional credits in film and television writing.

* Teaching experience at the college or university level is required.

Preferred Qualifications:

* Professional experience in television writing, as well as for half-hour or digital series, late-night, or sketch formats.

* Professional experience in Playwriting.

* Experience teaching undergraduate and graduate students in screenwriting.

* Ability to leverage professional networks to bring in guest speakers, panels, or workshops with industry professionals from film and television.

* Familiarity with emerging trends and technologies in storytelling, including streaming platforms, digital media, and new formats.

* Experience mentoring students and supporting their transition from academic work to professional pathways in theatre, film, and television.

* Ability to adapt teaching methods to suit diverse learning styles, cultural backgrounds, and levels of writing experience.

* Demonstrated interest in collaborative, interdisciplinary approaches to storytelling that align with the department's focus on theatre, film, and digital production.

* A record of professional and/or university teaching experience.

* Ability to bring in industry professionals as guest speakers or collaborators.

* Experience teaching both undergraduate and graduate students.

* Familiarity with current industry trends in film, television writing and playwriting.

Application Instructions:

Applicants must apply online at https://aprecruit.ucr.edu/JPF02188

Review of applications will begin January 26, 2026. Please submit the following:

Application Requirements

Document requirements

* Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.

* Letter of Application

* Statement of Teaching

* Evidence of Teaching Experience: 1-3 sample syllabi of previously taught courses or a sample of student evaluations (narrative and numerical)

* Statement of Research (Optional)

Reference requirements

* 3 letters of reference required. Letters of recommendation must be confidential. Please use the AP Recruit system to have your recommenders upload them directly.

Required Qualifications:

* Terminal degree (MFA, PhD) in Screenwriting, Playwriting, Creative Writing, Theatre, Film, Television, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience in screenwriting or television writing.

* Demonstrated professional credits in screenwriting and/or television writing.

* Documented experience teaching at the college or university level.

* Demonstrated ability to engage students in both the theoretical and practical aspects of writing for stage and screen.

* Strong understanding of storytelling structure, character development, genre conventions, and comedic timing across multiple media platforms.

* Familiarity with the professional standards and practices of the film and television industry, including writers' room dynamics, pitching, and production processes.

* Proven ability to provide constructive feedback on student work and support artistic development in a collaborative, inclusive classroom environment.

* Demonstrated commitment to fostering belonging, opportunity, accessibility, and respect in teaching and creative practice.

Qualifications Required (at time of application):

* Terminal degree (MFA, PhD) or equivalent professional experience in either Screenwriting, Playwriting, Creative Writing, Film, Television, Theatre, or a related field.

* Professional credits in film and television writing.

* Teaching experience at the college or university level is required.

Preferred Qualifications:

* Professional experience in television writing, as well as for half-hour or digital series, late-night, or sketch formats.

* Professional experience in Playwriting.

* Experience teaching undergraduate and graduate students in screenwriting.

* Ability to leverage professional networks to bring in guest speakers, panels, or workshops with industry professionals from film and television.

* Familiarity with emerging trends and technologies in storytelling, including streaming platforms, digital media, and new formats.

* Experience mentoring students and supporting their transition from academic work to professional pathways in theatre, film, and television.

* Ability to adapt teaching methods to suit diverse learning styles, cultural backgrounds, and levels of writing experience.

* Demonstrated interest in collaborative, interdisciplinary approaches to storytelling that align with the department's focus on theatre, film, and digital production.

* A record of professional and/or university teaching experience.

* Ability to bring in industry professionals as guest speakers or collaborators.

* Experience teaching both undergraduate and graduate students.

* Familiarity with current industry trends in film, television writing and playwriting.

• 3 letters of reference required

Letters of recommendation must be confidential. Please use the APRecruit system to have your recommenders upload them directly.

The University of California, Riverside is a world-class research university with an exceptionally diverse undergraduate student body. UCR is a member institution of the American Association of Universities (AAU) and the Alliance of Hispanic Serving Research Universities (HSRU). A commitment to the UCR mission (https://apro.ucr.edu/mission-statement) is a preferred qualification.

We seek to hire scholars who will both advance our research directions and effectively educate our undergraduate and graduate students, while also engaging with University and Professional service activities. Research and teaching statements that are included with application materials are opportunities for candidates to share knowledge, experience, and goals that support the mission of UCR. For more information on UC's criteria for successful faculty, refer to the Academic Personnel Manual (APM) 210 - Criteria for Appointment, Promotion, and Appraisal (https://www.ucop.edu/academic-personnel-programs/_files/apm/apm-210.pdf).

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories under state or federal law. It is the policy of the University of California to undertake affirmative action and anti-discrimination efforts, consistent with its obligations as a Federal and State contractor.

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, State, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct.

"Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment or discrimination, as defined by the employer. A Misconduct Disclosure Survey will be completed through Truescreen, which is the vendor that administers this process for the campus.

For the University of California's Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy please visit:

https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4000385/SVSH.

For the University of California's Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, Students, and Third Parties, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination.

For the University of California's Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment Policy, please visit: https://www.ucop.edu/academic-personnel-programs/_files/apm/apm-035.pdf.