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Job Description
The Department of Design at the University of Kansas is seeking a tenure-track/tenured faculty member at the Assistant or Associate Professor level for its newly established program in Animation. We offer the opportunity to work with award-winning students and nationally recognized faculty in a collegial, collaborative and energetic environment.
The candidate must have demonstrated professional level skills in either traditional, experimental or digital animation practice with a strong background in conceptually based narrative and character focused animation. Fine art and experimental approaches are also welcome. The candidate should also have a strong background in industry standard production methods and current professional practice standards, complimented by a strong historical familiarity with the medium and the ability to contextualize its multitude of approaches. The candidate should demonstrate proficiency in life drawing for animation, acting for animation, visual storytelling, storyboarding, and be conversant in and/or have an interest in the history of animation.
The candidate should have experience with the successful development, implementation and
management of effective contemporary animation curriculum. The Department seeks an active and open-minded design thinker and maker who will embrace working with a team of colleagues in the development of new curriculum for a new program. Special consideration will be given to applicants who can contribute to the University’s collaborative and multidisciplinary initiatives. An active research program, teaching experience, curriculum development, and professional experience will distinguish applicants, but we also encourage applicants recently graduating with their master’s degree and interested in launching a research and teaching career.
The candidate will be teaching a cross section of design students from freshmen level courses to advanced senior level animation courses. The candidate should demonstrate an ability to direct and empower students into becoming well-rounded animation professionals in a rapidly evolving field.
Exceptional candidates will additionally have an MFA in Animation, Illustration, or related areas and two to three years professional experience in Animation or related areas. They will have a documented record of research and/or teaching activity with an emphasis on animation and be able to demonstrate a broad understanding of the animation field, its varied media techniques, technologies and approaches, and be conversant with current professional practice standards.