Assistant Teaching Professor of Digital Arts (3D Animation)
Call for JobsThe Digital Arts Program and School of Visual Arts in the College of Arts and Architecture at the Pennsylvania State University invite candidates to apply for an Assistant Teaching Professor position of Digital Arts and Media Design focusing on 3D Animation.
This is a full-time, 36-week, nine-month, non-tenure track appointment. The anticipated start date is August 2026. Full university benefits apply.
We are seeking qualified candidates whose creative practice and teaching interests are focused on 3D animation and related technologies. The ideal candidate is a 3D animator/generalist with considerable experience in 3D animation workflows that can instruct and mentor 3d animation students and who stays abreast of 3D professional practices, industry standard software, and emerging technologies and production pipelines. The successful candidate will teach courses in 3D modeling and animation as well as additional courses related to their experience and practice that may include, animation fundamentals, foundational design, experimental animation, emerging practices and technologies, or other related digital arts and design studio courses in the program.
We invite applications from qualified candidates with exceptional interpersonal skills and a strong commitment to collegiality and teamwork, who are prepared to contribute through teaching and creative activity at all levels of the Digital Arts Curriculum and majors.
Responsibilities:
The position will include teaching up to three courses in the Digital Arts and Media Design Program each semester, participation in program activities, and service to the school, college, and university committees as assigned.
Teach 3D courses covering animation previsualization, animation, motion capture, lighting, rendering, and compositing.
Teach production skills necessary to design, rig, animate, light, and render 3D assets for animated films and digital games.
Teach additional digital arts courses in the curriculum based on areas of expertise.
Be well-versed in teaching the principles of animation and effective visual storytelling.
Join with digital art faculty to cultivate a lively animation studio culture and help set production standards that enhance student creative outcomes.
Participate in the guidance and assessment of students, portfolio development, independent studies, internships, and capstone thesis projects.
Encourage and support our students in developing animated creative works as part of a socially and culturally engaged research university.
Required Qualifications:
Terminal degree in Animation, Digital Arts, New Media, Cinematic Arts, Film/Cinema Production, or a comparable terminal degree (such as a Master of Fine Arts - MFA, or a PhD) at the time of appointment.
Evidence of a commitment to a successful 3D animation digital arts practice, commensurate with experience.
Evidence of equitable considerations for all, awareness, and practice regarding curricula development, along with evidence of working collectively to cultivate a culture that encourages success and enables all members of a college community to thrive.
Preferred qualifications:
College-level teaching experience (one semester, minimum, including teaching assistantships or equivalent technical training/teaching).
Professional experience working in 3d animation for films, games, TV or creative industries.
Considerable experience working with Autodesk Maya and Motion Builder
Experience with related animation, visual effects, and compositing tools: Blender, Houdini, Substance 3D Painter, ZBrush, Nuke.
To Apply
To be assured of full consideration, all materials should be submitted via Penn State’s online application system and include the following:
a letter of application stating teaching and creative interests, and qualifications for the position
a curriculum vitae
an artist or designer statement (or statement of practice and creative activity)
a statement of teaching philosophy, addressing how they create an inclusive learning environment for all
a representative portfolio of creative work in animation and demo reel
a representative portfolio of student work and teaching portfolio (in 3D modeling and animation, if available)
Name and contact information for three professional references
All documents above must be submitted in pdf file format, with external links (to portfolio materials and reels) included as needed/relevant.
NOTE: Only five files (5 mb per document) can be uploaded. Please combine smaller files to accommodate this restriction.
Screening of applications will begin on May 1 and will continue to be received until the position is filled.
Inquiries should be addressed to:
Woohun Joo, Chair, Assistant Professor of Art and Digital Arts & Media Design, Digital Arts Faculty Search Committee
wxj5122@psu.edu