Assistant Professor (Game Design)

Title: Assistant Professor (Game Design)

Employee Classification: FA - Faculty 16 and 24 (Pay)

Pay Grade:

Division: Academic and Student Affairs

Department: ACA - AA-College of Arts & Science

Campus Location: Main Campus

General Summary

The School of Art & Design at Eastern Michigan University invites applications for a full-time, Assistant Professor, tenure-track position starting late August 2024.  Animation & Game Design students make up a significant portion of the school’s enrollment. EMU offers competitive salaries and a generous benefits package. This position carries an eight month appointment, September through April. The ideal candidate will have expertise in game design or a closely related field.  Artists/Designers from underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

In addition to instruction, the applicant will: advise students; develop and maintain curriculum; and participate in service to support the program, school, college, university, and/or the community.  The candidate is also expected to maintain an active record of professional engagement consistent with a research university.   Other opportunities may include teaching courses in an area of proficiency other than game design and mentoring MFA students.  As the primary faculty specialized in Game Design, the successful candidate will play an active role in shaping the program’s future. 

Minimum Qualifications:

• A terminal degree in game design, game development, or closely related fields. Closely related fields include but are not limited to: visual time-based media, digital media technology, emerging media arts, experimental media, and interactive media. 
• A high level of self-motivation and demonstrated potential for leadership.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills with a desire to engage in excellent teaching.
• Documented ability to learn and adapt to new teaching content areas and software applications.
• Outstanding research potential in terms of publications in scholarly journals, conference presentation, and exhibition. 

Preference will be given to the candidate who has experience in the following areas:
• A record of successful professional experience in gaming or closely related industries
• A record of successful teaching experience.
• High level of proficiency with Unity, Unreal, or equivalent including programming and development.
• Demonstrated skills in leading group/team projects.  
• Ability and willingness to assist in keeping the program current and aligned with accreditation and professional standards.
• Ability to work well in collaborative work environments.  

Special Instructions:

Application materials must include:
1) Letter of application (cover letter) of not more than one page.
2) Curriculum vitae (résumé)
3) Statement of teaching interest
4) Statement of research interest
5) Statement of diversity
6) A digital portfolio/demo reel - with breakdown of work (may be a link to personal website or hosting service - please include password, if protected)
7) Non-official transcripts of highest degree earned
8) Names and contact information of three professional references
----------- optionally -----------------------
9) Access to a portfolio of student work - with breakdown and password if protected
PDFs are preferred for all materials.
Priority consideration will be given to applications received by Jan 15, 2024. Review of applications will begin shortly thereafter and will continue until the position is filled.
Eastern Michigan University is an R2 Doctoral University, and is among the most diverse public universities in Michigan, with a strategic focus on equity and inclusion in its core mission. Founded in 1849, Eastern is the second oldest public university in Michigan. It currently serves more than 14,500 students from 50 states and 83 countries pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral, and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences, and professions. In all, more than 300 majors, minors, and concentrations are delivered through the University’s Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Engineering and Technology; Health and Human Services; and, its graduate school. In 2022, EMU was ranked by U.S. News and World Report in the category of social mobility. The ranking reflects Eastern’s core value of being a welcoming institution of opportunity. The EMU campus is located in the Ypsilanti/Ann Arbor community, five miles from downtown Ann Arbor and 35 miles west of Detroit, Michigan and Windsor, Ontario.

Eastern Michigan University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnic or national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, age, ancestry, disability, military status, veteran status or other non-merit reasons, in admissions, educational programs or activities, and employment.

EMU provides a collaborative, welcoming and supportive culture where differing ideas, behaviors and backgrounds contribute to the educational experience that includes a global and multicultural perspective enhancing the individual, society, and the world.

Appointment Percentage:

100%