Description
Assistant Professor in Game Art/3D Modeling (Tenure
Track or In-Residence)
The
Digital Media & Design Department (DMD) in the School of Fine Arts at the
University of Connecticut (UConn), Storrs invites applications for a full-time
position in Game Art/3D Modeling at the rank of Assistant Professor
(tenure-track) or Assistant Professor in-Residence (non-tenure track). The
anticipated start date is August 23, 2020.
Recognizing a great demand and
building on the department’s existing expertise, we seek an experienced game
artist. The faculty hired will have a role in expanding curriculum and
initiatives including a planned cross-disciplinary Industrial Design minor.
This minor will be an initiative of the new endowed Krenicki Arts &
Engineering Institute, which fosters collaboration between UConn’s Schools of
Fine Arts and Engineering. The candidate will be an affiliate faculty member of
the Institute and will be expected to participate in interdisciplinary research
and teaching initiatives. The ideal candidate has significant professional
experience in game art production, with a preferred focus on runtime 3D
modeling, texturing, and lighting techniques. Acknowledging a lack of diversity
in the game industry, DMD welcomes and embraces an inclusive environment and is
particularly interested in receiving applications from members of
under-represented groups and strongly encourages women, persons of color, LGBTQ
and gender-nonconforming individuals to apply.
The successful candidate will be
expected to contribute to research and scholarship through extramural funding,
high quality publications, impact as measured through citations, performances
and exhibits, and national recognition such as honorific awards. The successful
candidate will share a deep commitment to effective instruction at the
undergraduate and graduate levels, innovative courses and instruction methods,
and mentoring of students in research, outreach, and professional development.
Successful candidates will also be expected to broaden participation among
members of under-represented groups; demonstrate through research, teaching,
and/or public engagement the commitment to, and support of, diversity in the
learning experience; integrate multicultural experiences into instructional
methods and research tools; and provide leadership in developing pedagogical
techniques designed to meet the needs of diverse learning styles and
intellectual interests.
Founded in 1881, the UConn is a Land
Grant and Sea Grant institution and member of the Space Grant Consortium. It is
the state’s flagship institution of higher education and includes a main campus
in Storrs, CT, four regional campuses throughout the state, and 13 Schools and
Colleges, including a Law School in Hartford, and Medical and Dental Schools at
the UConn Health campus in Farmington. The University has approximately 10,000
faculty and staff and 32,000 students, including nearly 24,000 undergraduates
and over 8,000 graduate and professional students. UConn is a Carnegie Foundation
R1 (highest research activity) institution, among the top 25 public
universities in the nation. Through research, teaching, service, and outreach,
UConn embraces diversity and cultivates leadership, integrity, and engaged
citizenship in its students, faculty, staff, and alumni. UConn promotes the
health and well-being of citizens by enhancing the social, economic, cultural,
and natural environments of the state and beyond. The University serves as a
beacon of academic and research excellence as well as a center for innovation
and social service to communities. UConn is a leader in many scholarly,
research, and innovation areas. Today, the path forward includes exciting
opportunities and notable challenges. Record numbers of undergraduate applications
and support for student success have enabled the University to become
extraordinarily selective.
The Digital Media & Design (DMD)
department is a uniquely interdisciplinary academic unit led by faculty from
the fine arts, business, STEM, and humanities fields. Established in 2013, this
innovative and evolving department currently has 20 full-time faculty members,
320 undergraduate and 14 graduate students (MFA and MA) and offers BFA and BA
degrees in the following concentrations: Game Design (BFA), 3D Animation (BFA),
Motion Design and Animation (BFA), Web/Interactive Media Design (BFA), Digital
Film/Video Production (BFA), Digital Culture, Learning, & Advocacy (BA),
and Digital Media Business Strategies (BA)
All of our concentrations place a
strong emphasis on collaboration and experiential learning, best preparing our
students for the challenges they may face when working in industry. The
department has established strong working partnerships with large and small
companies, start-ups, public institutions and charitable nonprofits, giving
students hands-on, real-world opportunities that benefit the creative economy
of the state.
The UConn Storrs campus is located
in a beautiful area of New England, with a moderate cost of living and
proximity to major cultural, recreational, and urban centers of the Northeast.
The University community provides residents with a rich diversity of cultural,
artistic, athletic, and historic experiences. UConn is ranked as the top public
university in New England, and among the top 25 public universities nationwide.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The successful candidates will teach
existing and create new courses in Game Art and 3D Modeling including 3D
modeling for games, concept art, previsualization, prototyping physical objects
through 3D printing, and other techniques utilized in video game engines and
design applications that support the Krenicki Institute curricular initiatives.
Inline with our department’s collaborative nature, faculty are encouraged to
build relationships across disciplines. Therefore, excellent communication
skills and a collaborative predisposition are essential. Additionally, a
successful tenure-track candidate must be able to maintain an active academic
research agenda and engage in service activities consistent with the
position.
The position has a 2/3 teaching
load, comprised of five 3-credit courses per year - at all levels of Game
Art/3D Modeling, from freshman to senior capstone through graduate level - as
well as additional independent studies, supervised internships, and student
advising. Successful candidates are expected to broaden participation among
members of under-represented groups through research, teaching, public
engagement, and richness of diversity in the learning experience; integrate
multicultural experiences into instructional methods and research tools;
demonstrate leadership in developing pedagogical techniques designed to meet
the needs of diverse learning styles and intellectual interests. Other duties
as assigned.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- A strong artistic portfolio
- Expertise in character and/or environment modeling for
games
- Technical expertise of low-resolution game topology,
UV's in Maya, 3DStudio Max, Modo, Cinema4D or similar 3D software
- Ability to produce high-quality textures for PBR
workflows utilizing software such as Adobe Photoshop, 3D Coat, or
equivalent
- Proven ability to integrate and optimize 3D art in
Unity, Unreal, or similar professional-level game engine
- Demonstrated interest or experience in broad
applications of 3D modeling, including collaborations with the sciences
and design applications
- Ability to contribute to the diversity and excellence
of the learning experience through innovative research, teaching, and
public engagement
- FOR TENURE TRACK: Terminal Degree (MFA or Ph.D) in Game
Art, Game Design, Digital Media, New Media or other appropriate fields.
Equivalent foreign degrees are acceptable
- FOR NON-TENURE TRACK: BFA, BA, or BS in Art, Digital
Media, Game Art, or other related fields AND 10+ years of professional
industry experience
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- At least 5 years of professional game art experience
with at least two published credits
- At least 2 years of university teaching
experience
- Ability to realize concepts using drawing, sculpting,
or other analog mediums
- Production experience with Substance Painter/Designer
and Quixel Suite or equivalent
- Experience with realtime lighting and post-processing
techniques to develop atmosphere and mood
- Ability to create 3D files suitable for factory quoting
and 3D printing for form and fit testing utilizing software such as Rhino,
Solidworks, or similar 3D Package
- Experience with sculpting high-resolution props and
hard surface models in Zbrush, 3D Coat, Modo, or equivalent
APPOINTMENT TERMS
This is a full-time, 9-month
appointment with a start date of August 23, 2020. The successful
candidate’s primary appointment will be at the Storrs campus with the
possibility of travel to regional campuses on occasion. Faculty may also
be asked to teach at one of UConn’s regional campuses or online as part of
their ordinary workload. Salary is competitive and based on background,
qualifications, and professional experience.
TO
APPLY
Please apply online to Academic Jobs
Online (https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/15790) and submit the following application materials:
- A cover letter specifically addressing your
credentials relative to the minimum and preferred qualifications listed
above, and indicating which rank you are applying,
- A complete curriculum vitae,
- A digital portfolio consisting of personal
artwork, and student work samples, if applicable
- A one to two-page research/scholarship statement,
- A statement of teaching philosophy,
- A one-page commitment to diversity and inclusion
statement,
- Names and contact information for three professional
references.
Review of applications will begin on
January 15, 2020 and will continue until filled. If you have questions related
to the search, please send a detailed inquiry to Stacy Webb, Administrative
Assistant for the Department of Digital Media & Design, at stacy.webb@uconn.edu, with #494206 GAME ART FACULTY SEARCH in the subject line.
For more information regarding the Department of Digital Media & Design,
visit http://dmd.uconn.edu.
Employment of the successful
candidate will be contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment
criminal background check. (Search #494206)
This position will be filled subject
to budgetary approval.
All employees are subject to
adherence to the State Code of Ethics which may be found at http://www.ct.gov/ethics/site/default.asp.
The
University of Connecticut is committed to building and supporting a
multicultural and diverse community of students, faculty and staff. The
diversity of students, faculty and staff continues to increase, as does the
number of honors students, valedictorians and salutatorians who consistently
make UConn their top choice. More than 100 research centers and institutes
serve the University’s teaching, research, diversity, and outreach missions,
leading to UConn’s ranking as one of the nation’s top research universities.
UConn’s faculty and staff are the critical link to fostering and expanding our
vibrant, multicultural and diverse University community. As an Affirmative
Action/Equal Employment Opportunity employer, UConn encourages applications
from women, veterans, people with disabilities and members of traditionally
underrepresented populations.