Senior Research Associate, Media Arts and Design/Cinema and Media Studies

The Department of Cinema and Media Studies (CMS) at the University of Chicago invites applications for a position as Senior Research Associate in Digital Media and Games to begin on July 1, 2023 or as soon as possible thereafter.

The selected candidate will work in collaboration with the Director of CMS’s Program in Media Arts and Design (MAAD) to lead design and technical development efforts related to game design projects at UChicago. This collaborative research will support the work of existing game and media units on campus, including activities that help build the profile of the Media Arts and Design program, the Weston Game Lab, and/or the Fourcast Lab. This will include grant-supported projects as well as relevant digital media and games projects initiated by University of Chicago faculty and/or the candidate and may include the supervision of BA or MA student researchers working on these projects.

The candidate will be responsible for grant writing and reporting related to game projects on campus, as well as for leading or co-leading presentations related to game projects both on and off campus, and publishing in collaboration with the project teams, as appropriate.

The candidate will also assist with developing and (co)teaching courses related to game design, game studies, and media arts and design. Typically, this will include teaching or co-teaching two courses annually in Media Arts and Design and/or Cinema and Media Studies. In general, at least one of the courses will focus on practice-oriented game design. The other course may contribute to the MAAD core sequence or serve as an elective course in MAAD. The candidate may also supervise a limited number of BA and/or MA theses.

Qualifications

The successful candidate is required to have: 

• an MFA or comparable terminal degree in new media, animation, game design, entertainment technology, or a related field
• strong practical knowledge of new media technologies
• experience in game design practice across categories of video games, board and card games, live-action games, and/or alternate reality games
• a record of interdisciplinary research and writing about digital games, media, and design, especially as it relates to educational and experimental games

Preferred qualifications include:

• familiarity with and ability to teach in areas such as network art, internet art and cultures, tactical media, creative computing, digital literacy, hacktivism, algorithmic music, and/or the social and political implications of digital technologies.
• experience working with a broad range of students in game design and research capacities
• experience teaching game design, digital media production, or related areas of media arts at the undergraduate level

Application Instructions

To apply for this position, candidates are asked to upload the following materials to the UChicago Academic Recruitment platform at apply.interfolio.com/125638. Applications must include:

1) a cover letter that addresses their experience and interest in the position;

2) a CV;

3) a statement of research interests (approximately 2 pages);

4) a writing sample

5) the names and contact information of three individuals who may be asked to provide letters of reference.

Optional items include:

• Sample student course evaluations
• Sample syllabus

Review of applications will begin on June 19, 2023 and will continue until the position has been filled or the posting is closed.

This position is contingent upon final budgetary approval.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All University departments and institutes are charged with building a faculty from a diversity of backgrounds and with diverse viewpoints; with cultivating an inclusive community that values freedom of expression; and with welcoming and supporting all their members.

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages diverse perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange. The University’s Statements on Diversity are at https://provost.uchicago.edu/statements-diversity.

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-834-3988 or email equalopportunity@uchicago.edu with their request.