Assistant Professor of Instruction, Animation (Non-Tenure Earning)

University of South Florida•Tampa, FL

35d

About The Position

The School of Art & Art History at the University of South Florida (USF) invites applications for a full-time, non-tenure-earning position at the rank of Assistant Professor of Instruction in Animation, with an anticipated start date of August 2026. The successful candidate will teach in support of the Animation and Digital Modeling concentration within the School of Art & Art Design's BFA in Studio Art. We are seeking an animator and educator prepared to teach 2D Animation, 3D Animation Fundamentals, Visual Storytelling, and related subjects central to the animation curriculum. Candidates must have a minimum of two (2) years of full-time teaching experience by August 2026. We welcome applicants who demonstrate a wide-ranging understanding of contemporary animation practices and who can support students working across traditional, digital, and emerging animated media. The successful candidate will teach a 4/4 course load during the fall and spring semesters, with the possibility of course releases for specific service projects. Teaching responsibilities primarily support the Animation and Digital Modeling concentration but may include courses that serve the School's programs more broadly. Additional duties include participation in school, college, and university service, mentoring students, and contributing to curricular development. The USF School of Art & Art History serves as the visual arts and design educational hub in a dynamic, diverse region of over 3 million residents, with over 600 majors and more than 30 full-time faculty across two campuses (St. Petersburg and Tampa). We offer undergraduate and graduate degrees in studio art, graphic arts, and art history, along with minors and interdisciplinary certificates for non-majors. Located in a vibrant metropolitan setting, our school provides graduate students with exceptional studio space, technical facilities, and opportunities to collaborate with distinguished faculty. We immerse students in visual culture, encouraging critical thinking and a strong sense of citizenship within a global context. Our nationally ranked Master of Fine Arts program fosters creativity and experimentation, offering an environment for students to push boundaries while working with cutting-edge resources. Additionally, the Kennedy Family Artist and Scholar program invites recognized artists and scholars to develop interdisciplinary projects and teach, fostering dialogue and outreach that enrich academic research and community engagement. As the creative center of the University of South Florida, the College of Design, Art & Performance provides an enriched, creative, and professional environment for tomorrow's leaders in architecture, design, art, art history, dance, music, and theatre. The college is home to the university's arts district, Contemporary Art Museum, Graphicstudio and the Florida Center for Community Design. The college embraces opportunities to embed new and existing arts programming in the rapidly growing regional communities and serves as an integral engine for socioeconomic progress through its research, advocacy, and engagement. With approximately 16,000 employees, the University of South Florida is one of the largest employers in the Tampa Bay area. We are dedicated to cultivating a talented, engaged and driven workforce that strives to be bold. Employees excel in USF's rich academic environment, which fosters their development and advancement. In 2025, Forbes recognized USF as one of Florida's best large employers, ranked No. 1 among the state's 12 public universities. Our first-class benefits package includes medical, dental and life insurance plans, retirement plan options, employee and dependent tuition programs, generous leave, and hundreds of employee perks and discounts. The University of South Florida is a top-ranked research university serving approximately 50,000 students from across the globe at campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota-Manatee and USF Health. USF is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top 50 public university and the best value in Florida. U.S. News also ranks the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine as the No. 1 medical school in Florida and in the highest tier nationwide. USF is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), a group that includes only the top 3% of universities in the U.S. With an all-time high of $738 million in research funding in 2024 and as a top 20 public university for producing U.S. patents, USF uses innovation to transform lives and shape a better future. The university generates an annual economic impact of more than $6 billion. USF's Division I athletics teams compete in the American Athletic Conference. Learn more at www.usf.edu. This position may be subject to a Level 1 or Level 2 criminal background check. Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws: The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws. Applicants for USF employment are entitled to request reasonable accommodation(s) in the application process. A request is to be made at least five (5) working days prior to the time the accommodation(s) is needed. Visit the Central Human Resources ADA Accommodations webpage for more information on requesting an accommodation during the application/interview process. The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains affirmative action programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws. This job description does not constitute an employment contract.

Requirements

MFA or terminal degree in Animation, Digital Media, Digital Arts, Computer Animation, or a closely related field.
Minimum of two (2) years of full-time teaching experience at the college level by the start date (August 2026).
Demonstrated expertise in 2D animation, 3D animation fundamentals, and/or related animated media.
Experience using contemporary animation tools or pipelines (e.g., Adobe Animate, After Effects, Maya, Blender, or comparable software).
Evidence of an active creative practice in animation or related digital media.

Nice To Haves

Experience teaching a range of animation courses, including story development, visual storytelling, or digital modeling.
A record of professional, creative, or scholarly activity in animation.
Experience with interdisciplinary or collaborative projects.
Ability to contribute to a collegial academic environment that values mentorship, experimentation, and adaptability.

Responsibilities

Teach undergraduate courses in 2D Animation, 3D Animation Fundamentals, Visual Storytelling, and related areas supporting the Animation and Digital Modeling concentration.
Teach a 4/4 course load, unless course releases are granted for specific service or program responsibilities.
Contribute to curriculum development across the animation sequence and support School-wide initiatives when needed.
Provide supervision and mentorship to students, including guidance on large-scale or long-form animation projects and directed studies.
Engage in School, College, and University service, including participation in committees, reviews, and community outreach.

Benefits

first-class benefits package includes medical, dental and life insurance plans, retirement plan options, employee and dependent tuition programs, generous leave, and hundreds of employee perks and discounts

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