Assistant Professor - Animation

College of Arts & Letters
Department of Art 

Position: Assistant Professor – Animation 

Starting Date: August, 2022

Minimum Qualifications:
1) An earned MFA, or terminal degree, in Animation, Art, or closely-related field from an accredited institution (or equivalent) is required at the time of application.
2) Evidence of successful teaching experience relevant to the position at the undergraduate level.
3) Demonstrated experience in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, teaching environment. 

Preferred Qualifications:
1) Higher education teaching experience in Animation, Visual Arts, 3D-CGI, and/or character-rigging.
2) Three years demonstrated experience in the Animation or related Industries.
3) Evidence of personal or critical expression with animation as an art form and storytelling medium.
4) Demonstrated expertise in 3D animation, 3D character rigging, stop-motion, and/or stop-motion character rigging.
5) Mastery of character musculature, joints, facial expression, and advanced anatomic kinetics.
6) Ability to create advanced, multi-layered, 2D cutout characters.
7) Demonstrated ability in cutting-edge industry mediums: VR, hybrid tech, gaming, visual effects, motion graphics.
8) Evidence of technical and meritorious advancements in the field.

Duties:
The primary professional responsibilities of instructional faculty members are: teaching, research, scholarship and/or creative activity, and service to the University, profession and to the community. These responsibilities generally include: advising students, participation in campus and system-wide committees, maintaining office hours, working collaboratively and productively with colleagues, and participation in traditional academic functions.

The successful candidate will:
1) Contribute to the oversight and management of the stop-motion labs, equipment, and facilities.
2) Mentor undergraduate and graduate students.
3) Foster industry relations to enhance student internship and career opportunities.
4) Assist students in academic and career advisement, and evaluate transfer student portfolios.
5) Participate in admissions recruitment, open houses, portfolio preparation, and industry events.
6) Work with Chair and faculty in development of department policies, curriculum content, and evaluation methods.
7) Help maintain and oversee instructional standards and outcomes across curriculum and syllabi.

The successful candidate will be committed to the academic success of all of our students and to an environment that acknowledges, encourages, and celebrates diversity and differences. To this end, the successful candidate will work effectively, respectfully, and collaboratively in diverse, multicultural, and inclusive settings. In addition, the successful candidate will be ready to join faculty, staff, students, and administrators in our University’s shared commitment to the principles of engagement, service, and the public good. 

Salary: Initial salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience.

The University:
California State University, Los Angeles (Cal State LA) is one of 23 campuses within the California State University system. The University is the premier comprehensive public university in the heart of Los Angeles. Cal State LA is ranked number one in the U.S. for the upward mobility of its students, and is dedicated to engagement, service, and the public good. We offer nationally recognized programs in science, the arts, business, criminal justice, engineering, nursing, education, ethnic studies, and the humanities. Our faculty have a strong commitment to scholarship, research, creative pursuits, community engagement, and service.

Our 240,000 alumni reflect the City and County’s dynamic mix of populations. The University has one of the most diverse student populations of any college or university in the nation. As a federally recognized Hispanic-Serving Institution, and Asian-American, Native American, and Pacific Islander-Serving Institution, Cal State LA recognizes the transformative power of education and embraces its duty to identify and serve the needs of all of its students. The University is committed to creating a community in which a diverse population can live, work and learn in an atmosphere of civility and respect for the rights and sensibilities of each individual.

The College:
The Cal State LA College of Arts & Letters transforms lives and sustains thriving communities and cultures. We develop and amplify our students’ unique talents, diverse life experiences, and intellects through the study and practice of the Arts and Humanities so that they can tell meaningful stories, forge their professional pathways, and inspire their communities.

The Department:
The Department of Art offers the Bachelor of Arts, Master of Arts and Master of Fine Arts degrees; approximately 700 majors are currently enrolled. The Department is the largest in the College, and is home to the sixth largest major in the University. There are thirteen full-time faculty and 40 lecturers. Cal State LA has maintained NASAD accreditation since 1974. 

Required Documentation:
Please submit the following to the Search Committee Chair at the email address below:
1) A cover letter specifically addressing minimum and preferred qualifications. 
2) A narrative statement describing your commitment to working effectively with faculty, staff, and students in a multicultural/multiethnic urban campus environment with a substantial population of students who are among the first-generation of their family to attend a college or university.
3) A curriculum vitae.
4) A list of three professional references.
5) A University Application for Employment Form (https://www.calstatela.edu/sites/default/files/groups/Human%20Resources%20Management/forms/empl_application_academic_2017_11_28.pdf)
6) PDF portfolio that could include a mix of professional work, student work, and hyperlinks to relevant videos or websites.

Finalists will be required to submit: 

• Official transcripts.
• Employment is contingent upon proof of eligibility to work in the United States.

Application:
Review of applications will begin November 1, 2021 and will continue until the position is filled. 

Please email all application materials in a single PDF to: AnimationSearch@calstatela.edu. Please type “Art/Animation Tenure-Track Application” in the subject line.

Please address all questions to the Animation Search Committee Chair, Jim Ovelmen, at: jovelme@calstatela.edu 

Note: The person holding this position is considered a "mandated reporter" under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.

A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate can be offered a position with the CSU. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the application status of applicants or continued employment of current CSU employees who apply for the position.

CSU requires faculty, staff, and students who are accessing campus facilities to be immunized against COVID-19 or declare a medical or religious exemption from doing so.  Any candidates advanced in a currently open search process should be prepared to comply with this requirement. The systemwide policy can be found at https://calstate.policystat.com/policy/9779821/latest/ and questions may be sent to OfficeHRM@calstatela.edu. 

In addition to meeting fully its obligations under federal and state law, Cal State LA is committed to creating a community in which a diverse population can live, work and learn in an atmosphere of tolerance, civility and respect for the rights and sensibilities of each individual. To that end, all qualified individuals will receive equal consideration without regard to economic status, race, ethnicity, color, religion, marital status, pregnancy, national origin or cultural background, political views, sex, sexual orientation, gender identification, age, disability, disabled veteran or Vietnam era veteran status.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/TITLE IX EMPLOYER

Upon request, reasonable accommodation will be provided to individuals with protected disabilities to (a) complete the employment process and (b) perform essential job functions when this does not cause undue hardship.