Assistant Teaching Professor of Digital Animation

University of Colorado•Denver, CO

1d•$78,000 - $88,000•Onsite

About The Position

The University of Colorado Denver’s Visual Arts Department is hiring a full-time Assistant Teaching Professor of Digital Animation in the Teaching Professor track, an unclassified, non-tenure-track appointment. The position is based in the Digital Animation Center and supports the BFA in Fine Arts program’s 3D Graphics and Animation emphasis. The appointment is scheduled to begin in August 2027 and includes a 3-3 teaching load. Continuance is based on merit and performance, budget, and enrollment. The successful candidate will teach undergraduate courses across the Digital Animation curriculum in their area of expertise, maintain an active scholarly and/or creative practice, and contribute to departmental and community service. The program welcomes expertise beyond its current curriculum, including virtual production, real-time lighting and rendering, layout and previsualization, motion capture, visual effects, and technical art. The candidate may develop new courses in their area of strength. Digital Animation’s curriculum includes a three-semester capstone in which student teams produce an animated short through an academic simulation of a studio pipeline. The role includes course preparation and management, student evaluation and mentoring, collaboration with Digital Animation colleagues on curriculum, and participation in faculty and college meetings. On-campus presence is required for teaching, student mentoring, and departmental engagement. Occasional evening or weekend work may be required for events, screenings, or industry guest events.

Requirements

At the time of hire, either an MFA or other terminal degree in animation, film, digital arts, visual effects, game art, or a related field and at least 3 years of significant professional experience in the animation, film, game, or related industry; or a baccalaureate degree and at least 5 years of significant professional experience in those industries.
At least 1 year of successful college-level teaching experience, which may include animation, modeling, look development, post-production, pre-production, narrative development, or interactive, real-time, or game production.
Experience with industry-standard digital content creation applications, including Maya and Adobe Creative Cloud applications such as Photoshop and Premiere.
An online portfolio or demo reel showing professional-quality work in the applicant’s area of expertise, with the applicant’s role on each piece identified.
Knowledge of the 3D animation production pipeline, from story and previsualization through layout, lighting, rendering, and post-production.
Depth in at least one pipeline area, such as cinematography and layout, lighting and rendering, rigging, technical art, visual effects, or real-time production.
Working knowledge of industry-standard 3D software and real-time engines such as Unreal or Unity, or willingness to learn and teach them.
Ability to teach and work with a diverse student body and create equitable, positive experiences for all.
Ability to communicate positively and effectively across various modalities.
Proven ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a diverse population throughout the institution and community.
Willingness to explore and teach new tools and trends in animation and real-time production.
Broad knowledge of animation history, film, and contemporary visual storytelling.
Ability to contribute to a respectful, positive, and professional workspace and to work independently.

Nice To Haves

4 or more years of college-level teaching experience.
6 or more years of professional experience in animation, visual effects, games, virtual production, or a related field.
Professional credits on released film, television, game, or commercial productions, or another demonstrable record of creative research and practice, such as festival screenings or exhibitions.
Experience working in or teaching a collaborative studio production pipeline.
Expertise in virtual production, real-time lighting and rendering, layout and previsualization, motion capture, visual effects, or technical art.

Responsibilities

Teach three classes per semester (9 credit hours), for six classes per academic year (18 credit hours).
Teach required and elective undergraduate courses in the Digital Animation curriculum, including courses aligned with the candidate’s expertise.
Develop new or revised courses in the candidate’s area of expertise as curriculum and industry practice change.
Prepare course syllabi, lectures, presentations, and assignments; evaluate student work; track attendance and engagement; and manage courses in Canvas.
Maintain office hours.
Meet with Digital Animation colleagues to refine the curriculum in response to current industry practice.
Attend Visual Arts Faculty and College of Arts & Media meetings.
Maintain an active scholarly and/or creative practice in animation, film, games, or a related field.
Contribute to department functions and operations as defined by the department chair, in collaboration with the senior associate dean.
Represent the university, college, department, and students in the broader community.
Mentor student teams working toward shared production deadlines.
Perform other duties and projects as requested.