Digital 3D Artist / Visual Effects / Games - Department of Communication Arts

Digital 3D Artist / Visual Effects / Games - Department of Communication Arts

Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts (VCUarts)

This full-time, 9-month term faculty position is at the rank of Assistant Professor and begins August 23, 2023.

Application Deadline: For best consideration, applications are due Friday, February 24, 2023.

The Opportunity:

The VCUarts Department of Communication Arts seeks an experienced digital 3D artist for a nine-month term faculty Assistant Professor specializing in digital 3D graphics for use in visual effects and games. Our next colleague will be part of a tight-knit community of inspirational educators and will help expand our VFX and Game Development curriculum.

This is a non-tenure eligible (term) faculty position. Term faculty are eligible for promotion in academic rank, and are valued for their academic, professional, and creative practice/scholarly contributions in their specific area(s) of expertise. The primary responsibilities of this opportunity are teaching so we seek to hire faculty who stand out with respect to effectiveness in teaching and engagement with students. .

Department of Communication Arts:

Grounded in a solid foundation of drawing, Communication Arts is the most popular of the visual arts departments within VCU's highly-regarded School of the Arts. With a rich history in Illustration, Communication Arts now includes a minor in VFX and various courses in comics and game development.

Teaching:

• Development and teaching of undergraduate courses in 3D graphics, visual effects and/or games. An annual teaching load will be determined in consultation with the Chair of the Department. To meet the needs of the Department, it is expected that the teaching load for this term position will be four courses in the fall semester (a minimum of 12 credits) and four courses in the spring semester (a minimum of 12 credits).
• Engage, inspire, and mentor students
• Integrate innovative pedagogical approaches and multicultural perspectives into instructional methods
• Foster collaborative teaching opportunities and innovative educational experiences
• Promote the efforts of the department in the university and throughout the community
• Foster a fair, welcoming, and accessible learning environment for all students

Research:

• Maintain technological skills and an interest in emerging software and practices relevant to 3D computer graphics and VFX
• The primary responsibility of this role is Teaching, and as such, the department seeks to support professional development and creative research as it pertains to mastery of the discipline and curricular development

Service:

• Provide service such as assisting with student, department, and school-wide initiatives
• Contribute to discussions that support the student community and the administration at each level
• Support recruitment initiatives for undergraduate programs
• Foster community engagement opportunities
• Serve on department/School/University committees
• Engage in service to the profession (conferences, presentations, professional organization involvement, and/or similar)
• Additional responsibilities assigned by the Chair or university administration

Requirements:

• MFA/MA and/or high-level training and industry experience that equates to graduate degree. Those with an BFA/BA and a strong record of professional practice and industry experience are encouraged to apply
• Ability to teach intro through advanced courses in 3D graphics, including demonstration and critique
• Demonstrated experience working collaboratively with colleagues
• Technically skilled and ability to maintain practice with relevant software and methods (presently Maya, Nuke, ZBrush, and After Effects, Unreal)
• Capable of being both a reliable team player and an independent operator
• Evident experience working in and fostering a diverse faculty, staff, and student environment, or commitment to do so as a faculty member at VCU

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with coding languages such as C++, Python, or similar

Application Instructions:

To apply, please submit application materials via VCU Jobs Website. Only electronic applications will be accepted.

The following documents should be submitted:
• A Letter of Interest
• Current CV/Resume
• A list of five current references including names, addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses (references will not be contacted prior to applicant’s approval)
• Portfolio of work- a link to appropriate selections of documentation of the applicant's experience in their area of expertise. This could include traditional and/or non-traditional examples of one's work from a broad cross-section and/or combination of experience from a variety of roles within academia and/or professional settings.
• Statement of Contributions to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Please see : https://provost.vcu.edu/faculty/prospective/

Review of applications begins February 24, 2023 and continues until the position is filled. For best consideration, applications are due by February 24, 2023.

VCUarts:
Ranked by US News & World Report as a top-five arts and design school, VCUarts (arts.vcu.edu) includes over 3,000 undergraduate and graduate students with nationally recognized programs in design, visual and performing arts, and has an annual budget of $38 million and an endowment of more than $13.5 million. Students are taught by over 175 full-time teaching and research faculty members and the school is supported by over 60 staff members that assist in daily processes. The School includes two campuses; one in Richmond and one in Doha, Qatar. The Richmond campus is located on the university’s 75-acre Monroe Park campus situated in the city’s historic Fan District. Ultimately, the work of the School of the Arts extends globally with partnerships throughout the world and across fields as diverse as the humanities, health care and business.

To read more about VCUarts: http://arts.vcu.edu

Virginia Commonwealth University is committed to providing accessible and equitable living, learning and working environments free from discrimination and harassment based on race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, age, sex (including pregnancy), political affiliation, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression or disability.