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 the following concentrations: 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, best preparing our students for the challenges they may face when working in industry. The Department has established strong working partnerships with large and small companies, start-ups, public institutions, and charitable nonprofits, giving students hands-on, real-world opportunities that benefit the creative economy of the state. The UConn Stamford campus, a federally eligible minority/Hispanic-serving institution, is located in a vibrant and exciting city – with over 400 restaurants, bars, and entertainment and art venues. With easy access to New York City and home to companies like NBC Universal, NBC Sports, Synchrony, and WWE, Stamford is a prime location for any practitioner of Digital Media.
Founded in 1881, UConn is a Land Grant and Sea Grant institution and member of the Space Grant Consortium. It is the state’s flagship institution of higher education and includes a main campus in Storrs, CT, four regional campuses throughout the state, and 13 Schools and Colleges, including a Law School in Hartford, and Medical and Dental Schools at the UConn Health campus in Farmington. The University has approximately 10,000 faculty and staff and 32,000 students, including nearly 24,000 undergraduates and over 8,000 graduate and professional students. UConn is a Carnegie Foundation R1 (highest research activity) institution, among the top 25 public universities in the nation. Through research, teaching, service, and outreach, UConn embraces diversity and cultivates leadership, integrity, and engaged citizenship in its students, faculty, staff, and alumni. UConn promotes the health and well-being of citizens by enhancing the social, economic, cultural, and natural environments of the state and beyond. The University serves as a beacon of academic and research excellence as well as a center for innovation and social service to communities. UConn is a leader in many scholarly, research, and innovation areas. Today, the path forward includes exciting opportunities and notable challenges. Record numbers of undergraduate applications and support for student success have enabled the University to become extraordinarily selective.
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 levels of the curriculum. The successful candidate is active in the fields of motion graphics, design, and animation for the purposes of entertainment, advertising, branding, filmmaking, fine art, scientific visualization, and other expanded areas of practice including but not limited to: 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, and other emerging practices.
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, comprised of 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 an opportunity to develop innovative courses that relate 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.
To be considered for a tenure-track position, a successful candidate must also maintain an active academic agenda of research and/or professional creative projects and engage in service activities.
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 levels of curriculum 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 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.
Additional Preferred Qualifications for Tenure Track position ONLY:
- Demonstrated outstanding record of creative research and scholarship excellence.
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.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
Employment of the successful candidate is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background check.
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/.
At the University of Connecticut, our commitment to excellence is complemented by our commitment to building a culturally diverse community.
This position will be filled subject the budgetary approval.
All employees are subject to adherence to the State Code of Ethics which may be found at http://www.ct.gov/ethics/site/default.asp.
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.
The University of Connecticut aspires to create a community built on collaboration and belonging and has actively sought to create an inclusive culture within the workforce. The success of the University is dependent on the willingness of our diverse employee and student populations to share their rich perspectives and backgrounds in a respectful manner. This makes it essential for each member of our community to feel secure and welcomed and to thoroughly understand and believe that their ideas are respected by all. We strongly respect each individual employee’s unique experiences and perspectives and encourage all members of the community to do the same. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.
The University of Connecticut is an AA/EEO Employer.