Assistant Professor, Emerging Media Experimental Animation

Unleash Your Potential With Us
As a next-generation public research institution, we are an inclusive community of thinkers, doers, creators, innovators, healers, and leaders striving to shape the future and solve the world's most challenging problems. No matter what your role is, when you join Knight Nation, you become an integral part of our mission to become a university for the future. You'll be met with opportunities to connect and collaborate with uniquely talented faculty, staff, and students across 13 colleges and multiple campuses and regional locations. That means greater challenges to tackle, more meaningful opportunities to grow, and rewarding experiences that go beyond a paycheck.
The Opportunity
The School of Visual Arts and Design (SVAD), in the College of Arts and Humanities (CAH) at the University of Central Florida (UCF) invites applications for a 9-month tenure-earning Assistant Professor in Emerging Media Experimental Animation. The anticipated start date is August 8, 2024.
The successful candidate will demonstrate a strong understanding and application of the principles of animation. Core areas could include any of the fields of visual storytelling which may include 3-D modeling/visualization, pre-production, 2-D/3-D animation, motion graphics, stop-motion, and/or mixed reality. The candidate is expected to develop 21st century professional skills, purpose, integrity, ethical practices, and digital citizenship in their pedagogical practice.
The candidate will teach a 3/3 course load that supports the Emerging Media BFA and the Emerging Media MFA Animation and the Visual Effects track. Faculty members are encouraged to actively pursue and obtain external funding and to develop creative works that achieve peer reviewed recognition for innovation and excellence.
UCF is home to a growing and diverse student population of over 70,000 students, almost 2,000 faculty, and more than 4,700 staff. At UCF, we are dedicated to access and are invested in identifying candidates who will contribute to our mission through equity-minded practice and culturally responsive pedagogy. For more information about UCF, please visit the website at https://www.ucf.edu.
In SVAD, we are dedicated to the exploration of creativity, where we engage the senses, ignite imagination, and nurture artistic talents. Our mission is to inspire and empower a diverse community of artists and designers. SVAD is a place where you can see, think, hear, touch, and learn through the transformative power of art. We believe that the senses are the gateway to profound creative experiences. Our curriculum is thoughtfully designed to immerse students in the world of art and design. We offer a range of academic programs, including B.A., BFA, and MFA degrees, tailored to artists and designers of all backgrounds. With a team of over 50 dedicated faculty and staff advisors, SVAD is committed to guiding students toward the right educational path and helping them shape successful careers in the arts. Join our award-winning faculty, renowned for their expertise and passion for nurturing talent. Together, we spark the interests of our students and guide them on a journey of creative discovery. For more information about SVAD and our vibrant community, please visit our website at https://svad.cah.ucf.edu.
Minimum Qualifications:

• At the start of the appointment, the applicant must hold a terminal degree in an appropriate discipline from an accredited institution. Appropriate disciplines include digital art, motion graphics, film, animation, fine arts, or a media-related discipline.
• The ideal candidate must demonstrate a recognized agenda of research or creative work in relevant areas of digital art.
• The candidate must also have at least one year of relevant production experience or one year of previous teaching experience in the disciplines listed above.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Candidates who have teaching experience in one or more diverse sets of software packages such as: Toon Boom Harmony, Autodesk Maya, Unreal Engine, Adobe Creative Cloud.
• Candidates who have teaching experience at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.
• A strong understanding and application of traditional and digital art production.
• The ideal candidate will show evidence of being a theorist and practitioner, with a demonstrated sustainable research agenda related to digital arts and have a record of obtaining research funding.

Additional Application Materials Required:
UCF requires all applications and supporting documents be submitted electronically through the Human Resources employment opportunities website, https://www.ucf.edu/jobs/. In addition to the online application, candidates should upload the following:

• A letter of application indicating qualifications for the position.
• A curriculum vitae.
• A PDF containing an online link to samples of creative as well as professional work.
• Samples of work that students completed within courses taught by the applicant, with any information identifying the student removed.
• Statement of research philosophy.
• Statement of teaching philosophy.
• The contact information for three professional references.
• Copy of transcript from an accredited institution(s).

The selected candidate will be required to submit official transcripts (and, as applicable, U.S. degree equivalency evaluations) documenting the conferral of their qualifying academic credentials.
NOTE: Please have all documents ready when applying so they can be simultaneously uploaded. Once the online submission process is finalized, the system does not allow applicants to submit additional documents later.
Questions regarding this search should be directed to: Demetrius Dukes, Assistant Professor, at Demetrius.Dukes@ucf.edu.
Special Instructions to the Applicants:
N/A
Job Close Date:
January 4, 2024
Note to applicants: Please keep in mind that a job posted as 'Open until filled' may close at any time without notice. As such, we encourage you to submit your application and all required documentation as quickly as possible to ensure consideration for the posted position.
Are Benefits Important to You?
Working at UCF has its perks! In addition to helping drive change and having a positive impact by supporting our students, staff, and faculty, UCF offers:

• Benefit packages including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, healthcare flexible spending accounts, and an Employee Assistance Program.
• Paid time off, including annual leave (12-month faculty) and sick leave and paid holidays.
• Retirement savings options.
• Employee discounts, including tickets to many Orlando area attractions.
• Education assistance.
• Flexible work environment.

And more...For more benefits information, go to 'Prospective Employees' on the UCF Human Resources website (https://hr.ucf.edu/).
Who Are We?
Founded in 1963 to fuel the region's talent pipeline and support the growing U.S. space program, UCF is built to make a better future for our students and society. It's one of the reasons U.S. News & World Report ranks UCF among the nation's top 20 most innovative colleges, while Forbes, Kiplinger, and The Princeton Review rank us a best-value university. UCF is one of 14 universities nationwide designated as both a Hispanic-Serving Institution and a Research 1 university. With 13 colleges, including a fully accredited College of Medicine, UCF offers more than 240 degree programs between its main campus, downtown campus, hospitality campus, academic health sciences campus, and 11 UCF Connect centers located throughout the region. In addition, UCF extends its reach to communities in and beyond Central Florida by offering complete, online programs leading to bachelor's degrees, master's degrees, Ph.D.'s., certificates, and more.
The University of Central Florida is proud to be a smoke-free campus and an E-Verify employer. Unless explicitly stated on the job posting, it is UCF's expectation that an employee of UCF will reside in Florida as of the date the employment begins.
Additional Requirements related to Research Positions
Pursuant to Florida State Statute 1010.35, prior to offering employment to certain individuals in research-related positions, UCF is required to conduct additional screening. Applicants subject to additional screening include any citizen of a foreign country who is not a permanent resident of the U.S., or who is a citizen or permanent resident but is affiliated with or has had at least 1 year of higher education, employment, or training in China, Cuba, Iran, Russia, North Korea, Syria, or Venezuela.
The additional screening requirements only apply to employment in research-related positions, including, but not limited to faculty positions (including employed visiting positions), graduate positions, individuals compensated by research grants or contract funds, postdoctoral scholar positions, and undergraduate positions.
Department
College of Arts and Humanities (CAH) - Visual Arts and Design
Work Schedule
Varies
Type of Appointment
Regular
Expected Salary
Negotiable
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:
The University of Central Florida is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer including Disabled/Vets. Click on UCF's Equal Opportunity Statement to view the President's Statement.
The UCF affirmative action plans for qualified individuals with disabilities and protected Veterans are available for inspection in the Office of Institutional Equity, Monday through Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., upon request.
As a Florida public university, UCF makes all application materials and selection procedures available to the public upon request.
The University of Central Florida is proud to be a smoke-free campus and an E-Verify employer.