"Assistant Professor Emerging Media, Animation & Visualization"

Job Details

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. The position is located at the UCF main campus and is anticipated to start in August 2026.

The ideal candidate will have professional industry experience and/or academic research experience. They will guide students in developing technical proficiency, industry readiness, a strong sense of purpose, integrity, and digital citizenship. They will carry 3/3 teaching load supporting both the Emerging Media BFA in Animation & Visualization program and the Emerging Media MFA in Animation and Visual Effects program. Faculty are also expected to actively pursue external funding opportunities and to produce creative work, both artistic and applied, that achieves regional and national peer-reviewed recognition for innovation and excellence.

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.

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.

Minimum Qualifications:

• MFA or terminal degree in an appropriate discipline (digital art, motion graphics, 3D visualization, film, animation, game design, or an applied media-related discipline) from an accredited institution by the time of appointment.
• Able to demonstrate a recognized agenda of research or creative work in relevant areas of digital art.
• A minimum of 1 year of formal/information teaching experience (e.g. tutoring, holding workshops, creating tutorial videos, etc.).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Teaching experience in one or more diverse sets of software packages such as: Toon Boom Harmony, Maxon ZBrush, Houdini, Autodesk Maya, Unreal Engine, Dragon Frame, Adobe Creative Cloud, or Substance Suite.
• Undergraduate level teaching experience.
• A strong understanding and application of traditional and applied digital art production pipeline.
• Evidence of being a theorist and practitioner, with a demonstrated sustainable research agenda related to digital arts and/or have a record of obtaining research funding. Research could include artistic and commercial efforts/projects.
• Knowledge in areas of digital arts and visual storytelling through 2D & 3D animation, pre-production, storyboard, and concept art, motion graphics, video editing, lighting and composition, visual effects, stop-motion and fabrication, 3D printing, rendering, or VR/AR/XR.

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 interest describing qualifications for the position and explaining their industry and academic experience.
• A curriculum vitae.
• A PDF containing an online portfolio link to samples of academic, creative, and/or professional applied industry work.
• Statement of research or research plan for tenure track process.
• Statement of teaching philosophy.
• An unofficial copy of transcripts from an accredited institution(s).

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.

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.

Questions regarding this search should be directed to: Stephanie Toth, Assistant Professor, at stephanie.toth@ucf.edu

Special Instructions to the Applicants:

The selected candidate must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for sponsorship, now or in the future.

Job Close Date:

Open until filled