APT (Non-Tenure): Assoc Prof/Prof of Pract and Dir

The College of Performance,
Visualization & Fine Arts at Texas A&M University invites applications
for one (1) full-time Associate Professor or Professor [tenure review upon
hire] or Associate Professor of Practice or Professor of Practice [academic
professional track non-tenure accruing] depending on qualifications, for a
9-month appointment. The successful candidate will also hold an administrative
appointment as Director of the Virtual Production Institute (VPI) that includes
two months of summer salary for the duration of the administrative position. We
are particularly interested in candidates with management experience in both
industry and academia.

The successful applicant will lead
the Institute’s mission in developing virtual production as an emerging
academic discipline aligned for private-sector adoption and enable the research
and creative work that propels adoption across multiple key industries
including:

• media and entertainment,


• healthcare,


• military,


• manufacturing,


• aerospace

Successful candidates must
demonstrate the capacity to sustain extramural partnerships and projects, teach
undergraduate and graduate courses, advise and mentor graduate students,
actively engage in the College's initiatives, and contribute to the broader
professional community. Tenure stream applicants at any rank are required to
establish and maintain an independent research program, academic
professional-track applicants are not expected to but may engage in an
independent research program.

Virtual Production Institute

The Virtual Production Institute
(VPI) is a technology focused ecosystem designed for teaching, learning,
research, and creative works.  The VPI’s mission is to develop emerging
applications, and a skilled workforce needed for the use of virtual reality
(immersion), augmented reality (hybrid of real-world and virtual objects),
sensors, projectors, and computing across multiple sectors of the state’s
economy.

The VPI is a technology-first
approach that fuses the study and application of computer science,
human-computer interaction, the visual arts and performing arts and media arts;
all of which are impacted by advances in full-fidelity 3D graphics, custom visual
computing tools, physics simulations, sensor inputs and autonomous systems.

Funding for the VPI, provided by
the Texas Legislature and Texas A&M University, supports state-of-the art
instrumentation required for a learning laboratory, designed as performance
capture and sound stages with supporting technology studio classrooms. The
infrastructure supports undergraduate and graduate degrees, 10 fulltime
faculty, and dedicated staff.

The VPI, with integration partner
Synapse VP, is in the process of equipping two facilities in Bryan/College
Station and two in Fort Worth, Texas for virtual production. The on-campus
teaching/prototyping volumes in each city provide direct access for students
and faculty, as well as near campus access for industry partners. Proximity to
media and entertainment companies in Austin and in Dallas/Fort Worth along with
the simulation and training activities at the RELLIS campus in Bryan, Texas
strengthen the VPI’s position in each location. Applicants should consult the
institute’s website (https://vpi.tamu.edu/).

College of Performance,
Visualization & Fine Arts

The VPI is housed in the College
of Performance, Visualization & Fine Arts (PVFA) at Texas A&M
University. The College’s strength is in merging art and science across a broad
range of creative pursuits. PVFA has a diverse and dynamic mission with nearly
100 faculty and 30 staff members and significant growth expected in the next
five years. The mission of PVFA places a heavy emphasis on faculty and student
collaboration and interdisciplinary work in both scholarly and creative
research. Texas A&M University leadership has charged the school with
developing innovative research and creative works, public performances, and
degree offerings at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels that build
upon our strength in merging art and science, as well as the traditional fields
of music, dance, art, and theater. Applicants should consult the college’s
website to review our academic and research programs (https://pvfa.tamu.edu/).

Director of the VPI

The Director reports to the Dean
of PVFA and is responsible for leading the institute in meeting its short-term
goals and achieving its long-term mission. Responsibilities include outreach to
sponsoring companies and individuals, coordinating service with academic
programs to develop the virtual production workforce, teaching undergraduate
and graduate courses, enabling the research, and supporting creative works of
faculty. The Director is responsible for maintaining fiscal sustainability of
the institute.

This position of Director includes
two months of summer salary for the duration of the administrative appointment.
The location of the position is negotiable to be at either the main TAMU campus
in Bryan/College Station or the new Texas A&M – Fort Worth campus in
downtown Fort Worth, Texas. The expected start date is Fall 2025. 

Co-Directors for Bryan/College
Station and Fort Worth, respectively, report to the Director and support the
Director in ensuring progress toward achieving the VPI’s vision and mission.
The Director plus the two Co-Directors compose the VPI’s Steering Committee.

Qualifications

For appointment as Associate Professor of
Practice or Professor of Practice, candidates must have an extraordinary record
of accomplishment in an applied setting or maintain a license or certification
that qualifies them as a professional in their field. Associate Professors of
Practice must have a minimum of eight years in their industry. A strong
portfolio of professional and student work is preferred. Prior experience in
supervising in industry, including interns, is preferred.

Application Instructions

Interested individuals should apply through
Interfolio and submit the following materials:

• Cover
  letter


• Curriculum
  vitae


• Personal
  Statement: Your statement should include your philosophy and plans for
  research, teaching, and service as applicable.


• Names
  and contact information of five (5) professional references.

Applicants interested in the academic
professional track (non-tenure) position must apply through the
Texas A&M University faculty job board hosted by Interfolio at apply.interfolio.com/163054.

Applicants interested in the tenured
position must apply through the Texas A&M University faculty job
board hosted by Interfolio at apply.interfolio.com/163048.

Review of applications will begin
30 days after posting and continue until the position is filled.

Please check the Interfolio application link
above for the status of the posting.

For additional application
information, please contact the search committee chair, Dr. Ann McNamara (annmcnamara@tamu.edu).

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Equal
Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Veterans/Disability Employer.