Motion Design and Animation (Assistant Professor/Assistant Professor in-Residenc

INTRODUCTION

The Digital Media & Design Department (DMD) in the School of Fine Arts at the University of Connecticut (UConn) invites applications for a faculty position in Motion Design and Animation at the Stamford campus. This is a full-time, nine-month position at the rank of either Assistant Professor (tenure track) or Assistant Professor-in-Residence (non-tenure track), depending on qualifications. Acknowledging a lack of diversity in digital media industries, DMD embraces an inclusive environment and is particularly interested in receiving applications from members of underrepresented groups. The anticipated start date is August 23, 2025.

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 26 full-time faculty members, 375 undergraduate and 20 graduate students, and offers MFA, MA, BFA, and BA degrees with concentrations in Digital Film/Video Production (BFA), 3D Animation (BFA), Motion Design & Animation (BFA), Game Design (BFA), Web/Interactive Media Design (BFA), Digital Culture (BA), and Digital Media Business Strategies (BA). Our program has a strong emphasis on collaboration and experiential learning, preparing our students for the challenges they may face in the industry. The Department has established strong partnerships with various companies and organizations, providing students with hands-on opportunities that benefit the creative economy of the state.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

We seek a candidate with a strong professional record, a collaborative predisposition, and a commitment to teaching undergraduate students of diverse backgrounds at all curriculum levels. The successful candidate is active in the fields of motion graphics, design, and animation for entertainment, advertising, branding, filmmaking, fine art, scientific visualization, and other expanded areas of practice including 2D/3D/hybrid animation, motion design, graphic design, film/video production, visual effects (VFX), compositing, interactive and immersive media (AR, VR, XR), UX/UI design, projection mapping, storyboarding, and pre-visualization.

The successful candidate will teach courses with a creative focus in motion graphics, animation, design, visual effects, and time-based storytelling. The position has a 2/3 (tenure track) or a 3/3 (in-Residence) teaching load, comprising 5-6, 3-credit undergraduate courses per year, at all levels of motion design, from first-year design to senior capstone, as well as additional independent studies, supervised internships, and student advising. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to develop innovative courses related to motion design and animation studies and participate in building interdisciplinary collaborations. The successful candidate will also be expected to participate in departmental and university service.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Terminal Degree (MFA, Ph.D., etc.) in Motion Design, Motion Graphics, Animation, Digital Media, Graphic Design, Broadcast Design, Art, or other appropriate fields. Equivalent foreign degrees will be accepted.
• At least 3 years of professional experience in Motion Design and Animation (or closely related disciplines).
• A strong portfolio of professional work showcasing process, design, and creative work in the field of motion design and animation.
• Demonstrated teaching experience at the university level (may include TA, guest lecture, master classes, etc.).
• Demonstrated expertise in the full range of the Adobe Creative Cloud including Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects, and Premiere Pro; and 3D animation software.

Additional Minimum Qualification for Tenure Track position ONLY:

• Demonstrated established or emerging record of creative research and scholarship excellence.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• At least 3 years of professional art and design teaching experience at the university level, with demonstrated ability to teach at various curriculum levels from foundation to advanced.
• Demonstrated professional/commercial experience in the motion design and animation industry, including a commitment to establishing relationships with industry professionals and studios.
• Experience with 3D motion and animation using Cinema 4D.
• Experience in many aspects of production including Visual Effects (Nuke, Houdini, etc.), interaction design (Unity, Unreal), and/or emerging technologies.
• Demonstrated leadership in curriculum/course development in motion design, animation, and other emerging technologies.

APPOINTMENT TERMS

This is a full-time, 9-month, tenure-track position with an anticipated start date of August 23, 2025. The successful candidate’s academic appointment will be at the Stamford campus. Faculty may also be asked to teach at one of UConn’s regional campuses as part of their ordinary workload. Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.

TO APPLY

Please apply online to UConn Jobs at https://hr.uconn.edu/jobs Search #498843 to upload the following additional application materials:

• A cover letter,
• Curriculum vitae,
• Research and scholarship statement (innovative concepts that will form the basis of academic career, experience in proposal development, mentorship of graduate students, etc.);
• Teaching statement (including teaching philosophy, teaching experience, commitment to effective learning, concepts for new course development, etc.);
• Commitment to diversity statement (including broadening participation, integrating multicultural experiences in instruction and research, and pedagogical techniques to meet the needs of diverse learning styles, etc.);
• Sample journal articles or books
• Contact information for three (3) professional references

The evaluation of applicants will begin immediately. For more information regarding the Department of Digital Media & Design, please visit the department website at https://dmd.uconn.edu/.

All members of the University of Connecticut are expected to exhibit appreciation of, and contribute to, an inclusive, respectful, and diverse environment for the University community.