Assistant Professor, Animation

Columbia College Chicago actively promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion as vitally important to its present and future success. These principles are essential to the educational experiences of our students, staff and faculty.

The Interactive Arts and Media Department of Columbia College Chicago seeks applications for a full-time tenure-track faculty position in Animation beginning August 2023. Candidates will be expected to teach current and emerging 2D and 3D animation curriculum and contribute to both undergraduate and graduate instruction. Candidates will demonstrate technical and critical expertise in animation, matched by a vibrant, complementary practice that directly contributes to the broader creative portfolio of the School of Media Arts. Experience should include fluency in advanced processes and techniques used in animation, including game engines. Experience directing and producing animated films is also preferred. Applicants are expected to understand the concepts and core elements of animation, mechanics, storytelling, and production pipelines from concept to marketing, and should be prepared to teach both introductory and advanced courses in animation.

In addition to expertise in their field, successful candidates must exhibit excellent teaching and scholarly credentials and be passionate about undergraduate and graduate education. Intellectual curiosity and the ability to communicate and work well in teams and in a dynamic environment are critical. We are particularly interested in candidates who can fundamentally enhance our curriculum by fostering a more diverse environment in Animation and help realize narratives and experiences produced by a highly diverse student body.

Interactive Arts and Media is home to nationally-ranked programs in Animation, Game Art and Game Design, and serves as a research and development hub for the School of Media Arts, connecting emerging media forms to other areas of scholarly inquiry and practice, including film, television, audio arts, advertising and branded entertainment, and journalism. We are interested in candidates who can further the cross-industrial application of new technologies within convergent digital workflows and the expanded field of virtual production.

As a metropolitan campus with deep connections to Chicago’s diverse media and information landscape, faculty and students in the School of Media Arts are part of a connected city-wide learning laboratory that prepares them to be empowered voices, deeply skilled artists and cultural producers, and leaders in the future of our collective media industries. Columbia sits within a robust media production ecosystem and provides opportunities for candidates to partner with a range of industries and non-profit organizations across the greater Chicago area.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Teach at the undergraduate and, as appropriate, at the graduate level in areas assigned by the Department Chair.
• Deliver lesson plans in accordance with the learning objectives set for the course, including practical skills, methods, theories and techniques.
• Engage with the broader scholarly and professional communities.
• Supervise, advise and mentor students.
• Contribute to the development, planning and implementation of a high-quality curriculum.
• Commit to continuing professional development.
• Provide service to the college, profession and community.
• Actively follow and promote Columbia College Chicago policies.

Required Qualifications

• MFA or other terminal degree in Animation or related field. Candidates with an MA will also be considered. Candidates with a post-secondary degree and equivalent professional experience will be considered in lieu of a terminal degree for a teaching-track appointment. Experienced professional practitioners who do not possess a terminal degree are still encouraged to apply.

Desired Qualifications

• Professional experience and college teaching experience are highly desirable where applicable.

Application
To apply for this position, submit the following materials online:

• A letter outlining the applicant’s background, qualifications and vision for the position.
• A curriculum vitae.
• A portfolio with links to samples of 2D/3D work.
• An Evidence of Inclusive Excellence Statement describing actions you have taken to support and advance diversity, equity, access and inclusion in service, teaching, or research/creative activity.  Please be succinct with your response.
• Contact information for three references. References will not be contacted without prior consultation with the applicant.

We seek individuals with a demonstrated ability to work with students from a wide range of social and cultural backgrounds, and whose creative, scholarly and/or professional work aligns with our commitment to dismantling systems of privilege and oppression. All faculty members are expected to advance the College's DEI mission. For more information on the office of Academic Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion please visit: colum.edu/diversity.

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. For best consideration, apply by November 28, 2022.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee and is subject to change based on the needs of the department and/or college.

About the College
Columbia College Chicago is a private not-for-profit college for creatives serving nearly 7,000 undergraduate and graduate students. Columbia College is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission. Located in downtown Chicago’s South Loop, the College is centered in one of the world's most lively urban cultural areas. Its many competitive advantages include its strong reputation in the creative industries, outstanding faculty and passionate students, impressive technological and physical resources, and a sincere commitment to bringing diverse voices and experiences into proximity with each other to shape new forms of creative practice.

At Columbia, we offer a rewarding work environment for our faculty and staff. We take pride in offering competitive benefits with affordable health, dental and vision coverage; flexible spending accounts; commuter benefit program, life and accidental, death & dismemberment coverage; paid and unpaid leave options; work/life benefits; educational assistance programs; and retirement and financial planning benefits.

We invite you to join our talented faculty and staff and become part of our collective aspiration to ensure Columbia prepares students for success in their creative fields through innovation, engagement and real-world experiences.

Additional Information

• Position subject to a background screening.
• This is a non-union position.
• This position is overtime exempt.

Columbia College Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all local, state, and federal laws and regulations concerning civil rights. The college does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law.