Assistant Professor of Animation: University of Wisconsin- Stout

UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-STOUT

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT  

Assistant Professor:  Animation  

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum / Required

Master’s degree in an area of expertise relevant to animation, or equivalent advanced degree with an emphasis in related fieldExperience using digital art and design tools and software

Highly Desired

Terminal degree (M.F.A., Ph.D., etc.) in an area of expertise relevant to animationFive (5) or more years of professional experience in a field relevant to animationExpertise in at least one of the following areas: rigging, 2D and 3D animation, game engine implementation, motion capture, experimental processes, or other animation-based media.

Knowledge of the animation process within the game development pipeline.

Evidence of successful teaching, including traditional and/or online approachesProficiency in industry standard animation software

Experience in contributing to, or managing, successful creative collaborationsNote

Terminal degree (M.F.A., Ph.D., etc.) required for tenure and promotion, unless by special exception process 

RESPONSIBILITIES

Teach studio courses each semester, following National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) guidelines, that may include beginning, intermediate and advanced animation classes, as well as other studio classes that support the major.

Other responsibilities include:

Contribution to a rigorous learning environment with willingness to use traditional, alternative and online delivery methodsDemonstration of organizational skills, collegiality and the potential for future leadership in the Game Design & Development-Art programCollaboration with the Game Design & Development-Art BFA Program Director to develop new curriculumCommitment to undergraduate teaching and interest in graduate level (MFA) teaching/supportCommitment to working with diverse populations and fostering an inclusive learing environment Providing academic advisement for students and assessment of student learningPerforming service to the department, college and university

Engaging in professional creative research

Pursuing external funding

Performing other duties as designated by Chair 

PROGRAM INFORMATION

The Game Design & Development Program at UW-Stout competes on both a regional and national level, attracting students from around the country and regularly participating in professional organizations such as E3, GDC, Intel University Showcase, IGDA, IDMAA and the Higher Education Video Games Alliance.  The major has two new game development studios with industry standard 2D and 3D hardware and software provided to both students and faculty.  All programs in the School of Art & Design are accredited by NASAD.  For more information, please visit:http://www.uwstout.edu/gamedesign.cfm or http://www.uwstout.edu/programs/bfagdd/index.cfm 

The School of Art & Design has over 60 faculty/staff and over 1,000 students, making it the largest public higher education art and design entity in Wisconsin and Minnesota. In addition to the Game Design and Development BFA, there are five other distinct BFA programs, including Graphic & Interactive Design, Entertainment Design, Industrial Design, Interior Design, and Studio Art) and an MFA program in Design. In addition to this position, searches are also underway for positions in Game Design & Development: Game Art, official title of third search, and additional title for fourth search. For more information, please visit: http://www.uwstout.edu/artdes/  

CAMPUS INFORMATION

The University of Wisconsin-Stout offers a rich, dynamic and collaborative environment in which to work and grow. A member of the University of Wisconsin system, UW-Stout is unique within the system--it is named after its founder, James Huff Stout, and holds the distinction of being Wisconsin’s Polytechnic University, a designation which highlights our combination of applied learning, real-world experiences and a solid liberal arts foundation.

UW-Stout offers 48 undergraduate and 26 graduate degrees, including two terminal degrees. Student enrollment is just over 9,500.

UW-Stout faculty enjoy opportunities for cross-disciplinary collaboration, state-of-the-art facilities, and a modern digital environment. UW-Stout values innovative approaches to solving problems in society and industry, and faculty are encouraged to maintain strong ties and seek collaborative projects within their disciplines and industries.

All undergraduate students participating in traditional, on campus-based programs are issued laptops. Faculty use the university’s online course delivery system and must be available for online interactions and/or alternate time frames for teaching. Faculty members teach, advise students, conduct research, assess student learning and engage in service activities.

Menomonie, Wisconsin, is a town of 16,000 located in the beautiful Chippewa River Valley, 25 miles west of Eau Claire and 60 miles east of the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul.

More information about the UW-Stout community and region: http://www.uwstout.edu/about/community.cfm. Facts and data about the university:  http://www.uwstout.edu/about/facts.cfm.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Competitive salary commensurate with qualifications and experience.  The UW System provides an excellent benefits package including participation in the Wisconsin State retirement plan. 

Benefit Details: http://www.uwsa.edu/ohrwd/benefits/summaries/fasl.pdf

Total Compensation Estimator: https://www.wisconsin.edu/ohrwd/benefits/totalcomp/  

As an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer, UW-Stout is committed to inclusive excellence and is actively seeking applications from individuals from diverse groups; veterans and individuals with disabilities. In compliance with the Wisconsin Fair Employment Act, employment will be contingent upon a criminal background check. 

The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in their online application, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7).

For campus safety information and crime statistics visit: http://www.uwstout.edu/police/clery.cfm  

TO APPLY

Go to: http://jobs.uwstout.edu/   

Applicants will need to complete all required fields and attach all required documents prior to submitting the online application.  

Note: Once you have attached your materials and submitted your application you will not be able to go into the system and change them. 

Required application materials:

Cover letter specifically addressing how you meet the minimum and preferred qualificationsCV

Names and contact information for a minimum of three (3) professional references Unofficial copies of transcripts; official transcripts required at time of hireProfessional Portfolio: A single, multi-page PDF document including 10-20 samples of professional work and a media list with brief written descriptions of work and software used. Total PDF size should be no more than 20 MB.   If available, please include a link to an online portfolio of professional work, which might include images, animations, a compilation reel, games, and other types of work samples.

Evidence of Teaching Potential:  If available, a single, multi-page PDF document including 10-20 samples of your students’ work and a media list with brief written descriptions of work and software used. Total PDF size should be no more than 20 MB.   If available, please include a link to an online portfolio of student work, which might include images, animations, a compilation reel, games, and other types of work samples. 

To ensure full consideration, complete applications must be submitted online by Sunday, January 14, 2018. Screening of applications will begin January 15th and may continue to be reviewed until the position is filled. 

It is the policy of UW-Stout to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance, or accommodation in applying because of a disability, please contact us using the information below. Employment opportunities will not be denied because of the need to make reasonable accommodations for a qualified individual's disability. 

Before starting the online application process we recommend you preview the frequently asked questions (FAQs) available at: https://kb.wisc.edu/hrs/page.php?id=21900  

For questions regarding the application process, or if you submitted your application prior to uploading all of the required application materials, please contact:Mary Jo Pittman

Academic Department Associate, School of Art & Designpittmanmj@uwstout.edu      (715) 232-1097  

For other questions regarding this position please contact:

James E. Bryan

Chair, Game Art & Design Search Committee

Associate Professor, Dept. of Art and Art Historyhttp://bryanj@uwstout.edu(715) 232-3688