Assistant/Associate Professor in Digital Media (Tenure-Track)

About the Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts and Design

Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design is dedicated to the education of students in the areas of design, media, and the performing and visual arts. The Westphal College offers 18 undergraduate and 8 graduate majors, housed in award-winning, technologically enhanced facilities, and taught by distinguished faculty who have worked at the top of their fields. The College values a studio approach that incorporates six months of required co-op work experience for all undergraduate students. Westphal is home to a virtual reality and immersive research lab, two theaters, an art gallery, a notable collection of over 17,000 historic costumes, a record label, a television station, and numerous cutting-edge making spaces. Westphal educates students to find their place as leaders in today’s rapidly changing world by teaching the diverse skills needed to conceptualize and implement creative thinking. The synergy of Westphal’s creative programs, strong foundation curriculum and diverse minors, and stewardship of University assets and enterprises enhances the strength of the College in this interdisciplinary age. The college actively participates in community-based learning programs that allow students and faculty to study the issues affecting our world in collaboration with neighboring communities. As the center for creativity at Drexel, the Westphal College’s collaborative community of scholars, creatives, thinkers, and doers are uniquely positioned to face the world’s challenges and define the creative careers of the 21st century. Westphal is dedicated to building a community where everyone is welcome, and a multiplicity of voices are celebrated.

The Westphal College recently completed a 5-year strategic plan that establishes a new vision and mission statement to help shape the future of creative fields and higher education, elevating our research, scholarship, and creative work. We are in the beginning stages of implementing this plan. To learn more about our efforts and how successful candidates can be involved, visit Westphal Strategic Plan: Westphal For All.

About the Digital Media Department

The Department of Digital Media seeks to prepare students for successful careers in media design research and production through the development of critical thinking design and collaborative skills in both the applied and theoretical sciences. The department houses four undergraduate programs; Animation and Visual Effects, Digital Media and Virtual Production, Game Design and Production, User Experience and Interaction Design; and a masters and PhD program in Digital Media. These nationally-ranked and award-winning programs reflect the fast-paced, constantly evolving fields in which art, technology, and science intersect and are based on innovative, interdisciplinary, and production-oriented curriculum.

Job Summary

The Department of Digital Media seeks to fill multiple faculty positions, tenure and non-tenure track, with an emphasis in one or more of the following:

• 3D Animation and VFX
• Game Design and Production
• User Experience Design

We welcome applicants from a broad range of experiences, from emerging to established industry professionals and teachers. A successful candidate will demonstrate an emphasis in cross disciplinary skills within the general field of digital media and is expected to teach at both the undergraduate and graduate level. Participation in research or creative work and service such as curriculum development, committee work and/or program administration can be expected.

We also expect a pedagogical and personal commitment to creating a culturally responsive and inclusive learning environment and a critical understanding of the challenges in diversity, equity, and inclusion in the field of digital media.

This position has an expected start date of September 2023.

Emphasis in Animation & VFX

We are searching for technical artists capable of teaching a variety of subjects within the field of 3D animation and visual effects. A successful candidate is capable of teaching mid to advanced-level production courses in one or more of the following areas: rigging, tool writing, pipeline development, procedural animation and visual effects, compositing, or other areas.

Candidates should be knowledgeable in software or program languages such as Maya, Houdini, Unreal, Nuke, Python, or similar. Knowledge in digital cameras and production equipment is a bonus.

Emphasis in User Experience Design

We are searching for candidates capable of teaching advanced-level UX Design courses on a variety of subjects. Familiarity in the following areas: user experience design, user research methods, interaction design, user interface design for web and mobile apps, emerging technologies, accessibility design, inclusive design, critical design theory, and front-end development technologies.

Emphasis in Game Design & Production

We are particularly interested in colleagues with creative and/or research expertise in various technical aspects of game design and development. A successful candidate is capable of teaching mid to advanced-level production courses in one or more of the following areas: game programming (Unreal with Blueprint, C++; Unity with C#; Python, etc.), technical art (shaders, rigging, FX, etc.), procedural generation, simulation, AI for games, or the game development production pipeline.

Essential Functions

• Teaching and mentoring undergraduate and graduate students.
• Engage in departmental administrative duties or academic service to the University.
• Tenure track faculty must participate in research or creative work in topics related to Digital Media.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of a Master's degree or Equivalent in arts/design or computer science, with a focus on digital media, interactive arts, digital communications, animation, game design or related.
• Minimum of 2 years of experience in industry or teaching at the college level.

Preferred Qualifications

• PhD or Terminal degree with an emphasis in an area related to your field.
• Minimum of 10+ years of industry experience.

Location

University City, Philadelphia PA

Additional Information

Please review the Benefits Brochure for some information on our benefits offerings.

Special Instructions to the Applicant

In addition to a CV/Resume and cover letter, please submit the following with your application:

• Statement articulating your commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion.
  • As part of Drexel University’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEI), candidates are requested to submit a one-page document including the candidate's 1) values and commitment to diversity, 2) experiences working with diverse populations (students, colleagues, communities, etc.), and/or 3) contributions they anticipate making to advance DEI at Drexel University.
• Teaching Statement.
• Research, Creative, or Industry Portfolio or Website of selected works.
• Research or Artist Statement.

Review of applicants will begin once a suitable candidate pool is identified.

Advertised:Mar 17 2023 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close:Apr 16 2023 Eastern Daylight Time