Tenure Track Faculty
9286BR
College of Art and Design
CAD School of Design
Detailed Job Description
The School of Design in the College of Art and Design at the Rochester Institute of Technology invites applicants to apply for a Tenure Track position to teach in the 3D Digital Design program. The School of Design offers a BFA in 3D Digital Design. The program enrolls approximately 140 students. A combination of full-time and adjunct faculty contributes a range of professional interests and expertise in a studio setting. Students work with 3D graphics software to develop game levels, virtual worlds, digital characters, visualizations, simulations, motion graphics, projections, and more. Join a vibrant faculty team engaged in exciting 3D research across various fields. Our students leverage their skills through internships and collaborations with top employers in games, entertainment, architectural visualization, simulation, and even space exploration!
Summary:
The 3D Digital Design program is seeking applicants to teach design courses using industry standard content creation software such as Maya, Blender, ZBrush and Adobe Creative Suite, as well as game engines such as Unreal and/or Unity. Expertise in other graphics software is important as well. The ability to teach a variety of techniques applicable to 3D projects including: research, ideation, modeling, materials and lighting is important. In addition to teaching, this position will also focus on creating scholarly and creative work that leads to peer-reviewed dissemination such as conference presentations, academic/professional publications, grants, industry collaborations, etc. Of particular interest is a candidate with expertise in digital character design and organic modeling and sculpting methods. As our field is rapidly changing and adapting, a commitment to continued professional development is key. By utilizing experimentation, critical thinking, creativity, interdisciplinary collaboration, and a range of problem-solving principles, students learn to solve complex visual problems within the constraints of time, space, budget, and technology. We are interested in candidates who bring a unique interest or experience in applying artificial intelligence tools and methods to design workflows as well as the delivery of content in immersive and augmented environments. In addition to teaching, other responsibilities include advising students, assisting in curriculum development, pursuing research/scholarship, and providing service to the program and school. The candidate will teach primarily in the BFA program but may also have an opportunity to teach in an MFA program and sit on MFA thesis committees.
Responsibilities include:
- Teaching 5-6 courses per year ranging from lower-division foundations to upper-division and graduate levels
- Engaging in scholarly activities/research within the arts, design, and media disciplines that lead to peer-reviewed dissemination and/or grant funding
- Working with School of Design faculty on program and curricular development
- Maintaining a high level of expertise in 3D graphics areas
- Advising students for capstone/thesis projects and providing professional mentorship
- Rendering service to the school, college, university, and community
- Career advising and mentoring students
Department/College Description
THE DEPARTMENT:
The internationally-recognized School of Design offers five undergraduate programs and three graduate programs. The undergraduate programs include 3D Digital Design, Graphic Design, Industrial Design, Interior Design, and New Media Design. The graduate programs include Visual Communication Design, Industrial Design, and Integrative Design. All programs are supported by the Vignelli Center for Design Studies. SOD provides a creative community where students have the opportunity to discover their unique talents and expressive potential, while at the same time developing the skills needed to fulfill any creative or technical role in the expansive fields of design. SOD has an enrollment of more than 800 undergraduate and 100 graduate students. The renowned alumni and faculty have been recognized as National Design Award recipients, design leaders at some of the most respected company brands in the world, and thought-leaders in the field of design and bettering the human condition. To learn more, visit https://www.rit.edu/artdesign/school-design.
THE COLLEGE:
RIT's College of Art and Design is the university's creative hub where art, design, science, and technology intersect in our 200,000+ sq. ft. facility. We are a dynamic and professional arts and design community comprised of 1,900 students (UG and Grad), nearly 140 full-time faculty, 60 creative staff, and a number of professional part-time faculty, all of whom contribute to our College’s ecosystem. The College’s four schools offer programs in Art, Design, Crafts, Film and Animation, Photography and Photographic Sciences. The range of innovative programs offers students a panoramic perspective from creating fine art using centuries-old methods to pushing the boundaries of digital creativity. The College of Art and Design also takes full advantage of RIT’s opportunities in technology, STEM, engineering, sustainability, and entrepreneurism programs, as well as our global campuses, https://rit.edu/artdesign.
Required Minimum Qualifications
- MFA degree or equivalent terminal degree. In certain circumstances, exceptional professional and creative experience in a design-related field may be considered.
- Minimum of two years of professional experience
- Minimum of two years of teaching experience at the university level beyond a teaching assistantship
- Progressive and innovative approach to teaching and learning 3D digital design
- Strong 3D digital design and aesthetic skills, as well as skills in areas such as scripting, imaging, interactive media, real-time design, or related areas
- Proficiency in related 3D software, for example, Unreal Game Engine, Unity, Maya, Blender, Zbrush, and Adobe Creative Suite. Will look favorably on candidates with character and sculpting knowledge.
- Competence in planning and organizing principles and strategies for developing, implementing and supervising creative and innovative projects using 3D software.
- Ability to contribute in meaningful ways to the college’s continuing commitment to cultural diversity, pluralism, and individual differences.
Required Minimum Education Level
MFA, MS, MA
Faculty Type (Tenure Status)
Tenure-Track
Faculty Discipline
3D Design
Faculty Rank
Assistant Professor
Employment Category
Fulltime
Anticipated Start Date
11-Aug-2025
Required Application Documents
Cover Letter, Curriculum Vitae or Resume, List of References, Portfolio of Students' Work, Portfolio of Work, Research Statement, Statement of Diversity Contribution, Statement of Teaching Philosophy
How To Apply
Apply online at http://careers.rit.edu/faculty; search openings, then Keyword Search 9286BR. Please submit your application; cover letter addressing the listed qualifications; your updated curriculum vitae; and upload the following attachments:
- A brief teaching philosophy
- A brief statement on research interests and/or activity
- Provide the names, addresses and phone numbers for three references
- A Contribution to Diversity Statement that addresses ways in which you approach diversity in your teaching process and incorporate elements of diversity into your design approaches
- Provide a link to 5 to 10 examples of professional work
- Provide a link to 5 to 10 examples of student work
You can contact the chair of the search committee, Gary D. Jacobs, with questions on the position at: gdjfaa@rit.edu.
Review of applications will begin on January 6, 2025, and will continue until an acceptable candidate is found.
Additional Details
In compliance with NYS's Pay Transparency Act, the salary range for this position is listed above. Rochester Institute of Technology considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, as well as, market and organizational considerations when extending an offer. The hiring process for this position may require a criminal background check and/or motor vehicle records check. Any verbal or written offer made is contingent on satisfactory results, as determined by Human Resources. RIT does not discriminate. RIT promotes and values diversity, pluralism and inclusion in the work place. RIT provides equal opportunity to all qualified individuals and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, age, marital status, sex, gender, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, veteran status or disability in its hiring, admissions, educational programs and activities. RIT provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities under the Rehabilitation Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the New York Human Rights Law, or similar applicable law. If you need reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please contact the Human Resources office at 585-475-2424 or email your request to hr@rit.edu. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.
Salary Minimum
60000
Salary Maximum
77066