Clinical Assistant/Associate Professor of Animatronics

The Department of Theatre at Purdue University, in collaboration with Purdue’s Fusion Studio for Entertainment and Engineering, invites applications for a new position of Clinical Assistant/Associate Professor of Animatronics (non-tenure track). The Fusion Studio is a groundbreaking initiative integrating emerging technologies in theatre and the entertainment industry with cutting-edge industry innovation. The successful candidate will create new courses and interdisciplinary curricula and develop partnerships with live entertainment companies to explore new technologies and their application in industry. Exceptional candidates will have interests and expertise in animatronics design and integration, including character design, movement design, and collaborating with animators, hardware designers and engineers, character designers, controls engineers, and software developers/programmers in the animatronics industry.

Qualifications: Applicants should be highly experienced, creative individuals with at least five years of experience in the entertainment industry working on projects related to theatre, live entertainment, animatronics/automation, and/or related fields, and preferably with a bachelor’s degree.  Applicants with an MFA or terminal degrees in theatre, sculpture/fine art, prosthetics/makeup, mechanical engineering/engineering technology, or controls will be highly considered. The non-tenure track appointment will be at the rank of Assistant or Associate commensurate with the candidate’s credentials.

Responsibilities: The Clinical Assistant/Associate Professor of Animatronics will help lead research/creative activity, education, and engagement efforts in the Department of Theatre. They will develop and teach novel animatronics-related design courses in both undergraduate and graduate level programs. They will foster educational collaborations with other schools nationally and internationally, other colleges across campus (College of Engineering, Purdue Polytechnic, etc.), and engage industry partners to foster research/creative activity opportunities for graduate and undergraduate students. Candidates with experience working with diverse groups of students, faculty, and staff and the ability to contribute to an inclusive climate are particularly encouraged to apply. The Department of Theatre in the Patti and Rusty Rueff School of Design, Art, and Performance is a vibrant and growing community of scholars who combine the best of a broad-based liberal arts education with training in many aspects of the performing arts including acting, design, dramaturgy, technology, and theatre engineering and who envision ways of transforming theatrical training based on scholarship, research, and creative activity.

The Fusion Studio for Entertainment and Engineering connects industry leaders with scholars and practitioners, provides space for development and exploration, and inspires pedagogical innovation at the nexus of engineering and live entertainment. More information on FSEE can be found at centers.purdue.edu/fusion-studio.

The College and University: 
The College of Liberal Arts at Purdue University is embarking upon 45 faculty searches for positions to begin in Fall 2023. These positions will advance research within and across disciplines, and intersect with technology, data science, and engineering in relevant and important ways. These positions include teaching in our innovative, nationally recognized Cornerstone Integrated Liberal Arts Program that educates students across the university.

Purdue University, the College of Liberal Arts, and the Patti and Rusty Rueff School of Design, Art, and Performance are committed to free and open inquiry in all matters. Candidates are encouraged to address in their cover letter how they are prepared to contribute to a climate that values free inquiry and academic freedom.

Purdue University, the College of Liberal Arts, and the Patti and Rusty Rueff School of Design, Art, and Performance are committed to advancing diversity in all areas of faculty effort, including discovery, instruction, and engagement. Candidates are encouraged to address in their cover letter how they are prepared to contribute to a climate that values diversity and inclusion.

Procedure: A complete application includes a letter of application, CV, statement of teaching philosophy, a statement of research, and portfolio of work, and names of at least three current references. 

Candidates should submit application materials electronically at https://careers.purdue.edu. The job requisition ID for this position is 25715.

Preferred application deadline is May 26, 2023. Applications will be accepted and screening will continue until the position is filled. The anticipated start date is August 14, 2023. Compensation will be commensurate with rank and experience.

For questions regarding the application, contact Rachel Weaver at rrweaver@purdue.edu. For additional information on the position, contact Rich Dionne, search committee chair, at rdionne@purdue.edu.

A background check will be required for employment in the position.

Purdue University is an EOE/AA employer. All individuals, including minorities, women, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply.