Assistant Professor, Entertainment Art/Animation

California State University, Fullerton • Fullerton, CA

5d • $6,884 - $7,022 • Onsite

About The Position

California State University, Fullerton’s Department of Visual Arts seeks a tenure-track Assistant Professor in Entertainment Art/Animation, with an anticipated appointment date of August 2027. The successful candidate will teach introductory, core, and specialized courses in animation, potentially including Life Drawing for Animation, Principles of Animation, Introduction to Storyboard, 2D Animation Pipeline, Visual Storytelling for Animation and Games, Construction and Layout for Animation, Intermediate Character Animation, Storyboard Animatic Production, Animation Production, and an Entertainment Art/Animation capstone. Teaching may cover story and visual development, storyboarding, life drawing, character animation, digital tools, 2D animation pipelines, animatics, and animation film production. The candidate is expected to be familiar with standard industry software for 2D animation and emerging production technologies. Adobe Creative Suite, Toon Boom Harmony, Toon Boom Storyboard Pro, Procreate, TV Paint, and other animation and drawing software are specifically noted for special consideration.

The position also involves producing scholarship and creative work commensurate with tenure requirements; advising students; serving on departmental and university committees; participating in departmental development, recruitment, and outreach; and contributing to university and disciplinary communities. The successful candidate will support a student-centered animation program and teach thesis animation classes in which students develop personal 2D animated films for theatrical screening.

The position is in the Department of Visual Arts at California State University, Fullerton. The appointment is tenure-track and academic-year. The anticipated hiring range is $6,884–$7,022 per month, with a listed classification range of $6,221–$13,224 per month, paid in 12 monthly payments per academic year. Summer research grants, moving expenses, start-up funds, and a reduced teaching load may be available. The university offers a comprehensive benefits package. The application deadline for full consideration is December 15, 2026.

Requirements

• MFA or equivalent terminal degree from an accredited institution in animation or a related discipline, desired to be completed by Fall 2027. Accreditation may be from a university outside the United States.
• Demonstrated ability to teach animation principles, storyboarding, cinematic language, visual development, character animation/acting, industry-standard software, and thesis animation production.
• Sustained practice and presentation of creative, scholarly, or professional work in animation production.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively in culturally diverse settings, fostering understanding of and respect for unique experiences and cultural practices.
• Ability to teach student-centered thesis animation classes in which students express personal vision and voice through completed personal 2D animated films for theatrical screening.
• Knowledge of and commitment to achieving CSUF’s strategic plan and the College of the Arts’ mission and goals.
• Experience with standard industry software for 2D animation production, including Adobe Creative Suite, Toon Boom, or other high-end 2D animation software, and familiarity with current emerging animation production technologies.

Nice To Haves

• Willingness to examine and remediate instructional, relational, and classroom practices to better engage and support students.
• Demonstrated excellence in and commitment to teaching a highly diverse student population, including students with varied socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, disability, age, and gender identity.
• Ability to work with computers and technologies such as Adobe Creative Suite and Toon Boom Harmony/Storyboard for high-quality instruction and student support.
• Ability to adapt to emerging 2D animation production processes.
• College-level teaching experience in animation.
• Industry relations and knowledge that may support students’ academic success and career advancement.
• Evidence of leadership, communication, organizational, and management skills, potentially including successful recruitment and outreach efforts.
• Experience working in a professional animation production pipeline.
• Experience with Adobe Creative Suite, Toon Boom Harmony, Toon Boom Storyboard Pro, Procreate, TV Paint, and other animation production and drawing software.

Responsibilities

• Teach introductory, core, and specialized courses in Entertainment Art/Animation, including courses in drawing, animation principles, storyboarding, visual storytelling, animation pipelines, production, and capstone study.
• Develop courses in the candidate’s area or areas of specialization.
• Teach student-centered thesis animation classes supporting students in completing personal 2D animated films for theatrical screening.
• Produce scholarship and creative work commensurate with tenure requirements.
• Advise students.
• Serve on departmental and university-wide committees.
• Contribute to the life and development of the department.
• Participate in recruitment and outreach efforts.
• Contribute to the broader university and disciplinary communities.

Benefits

• Health, vision, and dental plans.
• Spouse, domestic partner, and dependent fee waiver.
• Access to campus child-care.
• Defined-benefit retirement through the state system, with optional tax sheltering opportunities.
• Summer research grants may be available.
• Moving expenses may be available.
• Start-up funds may be available.
• A reduced teaching load may be available.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior