Job Description

Dodge College of Film and Media Arts at Chapman University invites applications for a non-tenure track Artistic Assistant Professor in the Animation, VFX and Game Design program as well as the minor in Game Design, both in collaboration with Fowler School of Engineering, beginning August 1, 2027.

Chapman University is a nationally ranked, R2 Carnegie Classified, private institution offering traditional undergraduate and graduate programs in the heart of Orange County, one of Southern California’s most diverse and vibrant regions. Chapman’s campuses are home to nearly 10,000 students representing 50 states, 4 territories, and 76 countries. The 11 schools and colleges of Chapman, including Dodge College of Film and Media Arts, offer 50 bachelors, 29 masters, and 8 doctoral programs, along with nearly 75 minors and 19 accelerated and bridge programs. Classes are taught by the more than 1,100 dedicated faculty members who are leaders in their fields, including Nobel Prize recipients, MacArthur Fellows, National Medal of Science honorees, former U.S. Supreme Court clerks, and Emmy, Grammy, and Academy Award winners. 

The Animation and Visual Effects Program is embedded in the world-renowned Dodge College of Film and Media Arts, ranked the fourth Film school in the United States by The Wrap and The Hollywood Reporter. More information about Dodge College is available here.

Responsibilities:

• Instructing: Four 3-unit classes in Fall and four 3-unit classes in Spring Semester in the Animation, VFX and Game Design Program.
• Advising: Offer guidance on students' academic paths to graduation and placement in the video game industry.
• Emerging Technology: Advise the chair and program director on emerging workflows through industry outreach in areas such as the game engines Unreal, Unity, Autodesk, Adobe and ZBrush including integration of Machine Learning and AI (Artificial Intelligence) generative applications. 
• Software and Pipeline Integration: Assist in curating new software and integrating it into the curriculum and our thesis project pipeline.
• Administration: Actively participate in program operations and development.
• Industry Outreach: Actively contribute as an integral member of Dodge College of Film and Media Arts to the ongoing development, implementation, and assessment of our academic and degree programs.

Qualifications

 Required:

• Teaching experience in a university, educational program, or studio setting.
• Eight to ten years of industry experience in AAA video game development.
• Fluency in Unreal specifically importing and optimizing 3D assets in the engine for an interactive experience.
• Artist with experience in 3D environment creation, texturing and hard surface modeling.
• Moderate to advanced knowledge of design theory for video games, specifically level design.
• Must have a real passion for games and educating the next generation, as well as a vision for where the industry is going.
• Leadership experience in a supervisory or senior role.
• BFA or MFA in related fields or equivalent industry experience

Desired:

• Concept or character art experience, with organic modeling and lighting skills (Preferred)
• Experience in Unity or other equivalent game engine programs (Preferred)
• Experience as director of an independent game, DLC, or shipped AAA title (Preferred)
• Experience in UI, level design, area design, systems design, event scripting, and/or Blueprints (Preferred)
• Experience integrating emerging generative AI and machine learning tools into standard workflows (Preferred)
• Unreal Engine Authorized Instructor (Preferred)
• Independent or entrepreneurial game experience (Preferred)

Application Instructions

Qualified candidates are invited to electronically submit the following:

1. Cover Letter
2. Letters of recommendation, confidential (2)
3. Curriculum Vitae 
4. Portfolio of current 3D and relevant video game work.

Inquiries can be directed to search committee chair, Madeline Warren, ftvsearch@chapman.edu. Please use "FT Game Design Faculty Position" as the email subject line.

Application reviews will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Successful completion of a background check is required for the final candidate. The salary range for this position is $100,000-$110,000. Salary is competitive and will be commensurate with experience. This postition is contingent on final budget approval.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Chapman University is an equal opportunity employer that provides equal employment opportunities to all individuals, regardless of their protected characteristics. All qualified applicants and employees are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, military and veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law.