Assistant Teaching Professor

JOB DESCRIPTION SUMMARY

Interactive Media and Game Development (IMGD) at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) seeks to hire an Assistant Teaching Professor to support and grow our multidisciplinary, project-based curriculum. The successful candidate will shape and grow our offerings in both the technical and design areas of our undergraduate and graduate degrees. Applicants in all areas of IMGD are encouraged to apply; identified areas of interest include but are not limited to: creative coding, critical computing, tangible and embodied interaction, technical game development, and design for emerging creative technologies. IMGD is a highly collaborative community of learners, scholars, and creatives. We seek a new colleague who is passionate about both strengthening our existing community and building new collaborations within and beyond IMGD.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Interactive Media and Game Development (IMGD) at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) is a vibrant, growing, interdisciplinary program at the intersection of art, design, technology, play, and society. We offer degrees at both the undergraduate (BS, BA) and graduate (MS, MFA, PhD) levels. Students and faculty regularly collaborate across our degree programs through shared coursework, project collaborations, and community initiatives. IMGD is one of the oldest game development programs in the nation, consistently ranking as a top program for games in rankings such as the Princeton Review Games Rankings (#12 undergrad, #13 grad in 2025).

The program seeks a new Assistant Teaching Professor who will support and grow IMGD’s curriculum and community in their areas of expertise and professional experience. We are especially interested in applicants who can contribute to the technical and design areas of our degree. The current faculty have identified several potential areas of interest for growth in IMGD, including but by no means limited to: creative coding, critical computing, tangible and embodied interaction, technical game development, and design for emerging technologies (e.g. AR/VR, AI).

We are most interested in finding a colleague who complements our existing strengths and can collaborate to move us in new directions. Thus, all candidates—regardless of specialization—will be given equal consideration.

The successful candidate will teach undergraduate and graduate courses in the curriculum, with an expected teaching load of 5 courses per year. WPI’s academic calendar operates on four 7-week terms per year at the undergraduate level, meaning teaching faculty typically teach 1 or 2 courses at a time. Teaching faculty at WPI have secured, renewable contracts.

In addition to teaching courses, the successful candidate will be expected to advise undergraduate and graduate students in their project work. WPI’s project-based learning system provides a integrated framework for blending research, creative practice, and teaching. Undergraduate students complete intensive projects in their junior and senior year. The junior year project focuses on the intersection of technology and society; the senior year project is conducted within the team’s major(s). IMGD’s graduate programs also have required capstone projects or theses that are advised by faculty committees. Both advising and mentorship are critical responsibilities for all IMGD faculty.

IMGD faculty also engage in service in support of our creative community of students, alumni, and faculty. Such service work can include outreach, student development, event organization, pedagogical mentorship, and community-building activities. All faculty have undergraduate and graduate advisees who we mentor through their academics and early professional development.

Candidates should hold a terminal degree in an area closely related to IMGD (e.g. MFA or PhD). All candidates should provide in their application evidence of their potential for successful teaching and project advising experience with undergraduate and graduate students. Applicants should submit:

• Curriculum Vitae
• A letter of application that describes how the applicant’s teaching, research, creative work, and/or service experience can contribute to IMGD and WPI
• A statement describing the candidate’s teaching philosophy, experience, and interests
• A portfolio of technical, scholarly, and/or creative works supporting your application (link to website preferred)
• The names and contact information of at least three references. We will ask for letters for short-listed candidates only.

Founded in 1865, WPI is one of the nation's first technological universities. A highly selective private university located within an hour of Boston, WPI is newly an R1 institution and is consistently ranked among the top 70 research institutions by US News & World Report. The university is home to an innovative and intensive project-based curriculum that empowers students with the knowledge and skills to address real-world problems around the globe. WPI employees have competitive and comprehensive benefits, including health insurance, long-term care, retirement, tuition assistance, flexible spending accounts, good work-life balance, and much more. WPI has a strong commitment to supporting the careers of teaching-oriented faculty.

Application review will begin on January 5, 2025 and continue until the position is filled. The expected start date for this position is Fall 2026.

FLSA STATUS

United States of America (Exempt)

WPI is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or disability. It seeks individuals from all backgrounds and experiences who will contribute to a culture of creativity, collaboration, inclusion, problem solving, innovation, high performance, and change making. It is committed to maintaining a campus environment free of harassment and discrimination.