Assistant Teaching Professor, Animation, Film, and Television

About the role

The BFA Animation & VFX program within the College of Communication and Media seeks a dynamic and innovative Assistant Teaching Professor (non-tenure track) specializing in Animation, Visual Effects (VFX), Gaming, and Virtual Reality (VR) to join our program. The successful candidate will update and enhance our curriculum to incorporate advancements in immersive media, VR production, and generative AI-ensuring alignment with industry trends and preparing students for emerging opportunities in creative and technical fields. This role includes the opportunity to collaborate with students in developing VR experiences for both Dreamscape Learn's free-roam and stationary platforms, integrating storytelling, animation, and interactive design into immersive environments. The ideal candidate will bring a combination of academic expertise, hands-on industry experience, and strong professional connections across animation, VFX, gaming, and virtual reality sectors. The University is committed to the success of teaching faculty through opportunities for promotion and professional development to support long-term success and flourishing at the University. Position is a two-year, ten-month, non-tenure track (NTT) appointment, with eligibility for reappointment based on established NTT procedures.

Responsibilities

• Teaching and Curriculum Development:
• Design and teach undergraduate and/or graduate courses in animation, VFX, and gaming, with emphases on:
• Gaming engines, specifically Unity.
• The latest workflows in the animation and VFX Industry.
• Industry-standard VFX software (e.g., Houdini, Nuke).
• Continuously update curriculum to reflect evolving technologies and methodologies, including AI-driven processes, real-time rendering, and virtual production pipelines.
• Mentor students in developing creative, technical, and professional skills.
• Industry Engagement:
• Build partnerships with industry professionals, companies, and studios to provide students with networking and internship opportunities.
• Serve as a bridge between academia and industry by maintaining professional practice and staying updated on trends and innovations.
• Service and Leadership:
• Participate actively in departmental, college, and university committees, including curriculum design and student success initiatives.
• Support success for all students through teaching, mentorship, and departmental activities.
• Collaborate on interdisciplinary projects within the institution and externally.

Requirements

• Education:
• Bachelor's in Animation, VFX, Game Design, or a related field. Preferred: Master's degree.
• Professional experience in the animation, VFX, or gaming industries.
• Demonstrated expertise in gaming engines (specifically Unity), industry-standard VFX tools, and generative AI.
• Experience teaching in higher education strongly preferred; experience teaching, training or mentoring in non-formal settings required.
• Skills and Competencies:
• Proficiency in Unity, Unreal Engine, and VFX software such as Houdini, Maya, Nuke, or similar.
• Strong knowledge of generative AI tools and their applications in animation, VFX, and gaming.
• Effective communication, collaboration, and mentorship skills.
• Ability to foster an inclusive and supportive learning environment.
• THE COLLEGE OF COMMUNICATION AND MEDIA

Benefits

Additional Information

IMPORTANT APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS: Upload Resume or Curriculum Vitae for automatic population of information to the application. The contact information, work experience, and education listed on your Resume/CV will be parsed and input into your Montclair application. Review information and double-check all fields containing information that the system parsed - the software is intelligent, but you need to verify that the data is accurate. In the "My Experience" section, you will find a Resume/CV upload option where you can submit your cover letter and all other supporting documents. Note: If you have an expansive CV, we recommend that you apply manually and only include the positions you have held in the last ten (10) years . You will then be able to attach your Resume/CV, as well as all other supporting documentation in the "My Experience" section of your application. Job Description

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