Assistant Professor of Media Arts in 2D animation

FAC00156PO24

Assistant Professor of Media Arts in 2D animation

Columbia

College of Arts and Sciences

CAS School of Visual Art and Design

We offer a competitive salary and benefits package

Full Time

40

Full-time Equivalent (FTE)

9 months

Richland

Tenure-Track/Tenured

Faculty

From the Upstate to the Lowcountry, the University of South Carolina system is transforming the lives of South Carolinians through the impact of our eight institutions and 20 locations throughout the state. More than 50,000 students are enrolled at one of eight institutions, including the research campus in Columbia and comprehensive four-year universities in Aiken, Upstate and Beaufort. In addition, our Palmetto College campuses in Salkehatchie, Union, Lancaster and Sumter enable students to earn associate or bachelor’s degrees through a combination of in-person, online or blended learning. All of our system institutions place strong emphasis on service — helping to build healthier, more educated communities in South Carolina and beyond.

At the University of South Carolina, we strive to cultivate an inclusive environment that is open, welcoming, and supportive of individuals of all backgrounds. We recognize diversity in our workforce is essential to providing academic excellence and critical to our sustainability. The University is committed to eliminating barriers created by institutional discrimination through accountability and continuous process improvement. We celebrate the diverse voices, perspectives, and experiences of our employees.

The faculty of the School of Visual Art and Design (SVAD) at the University of South Carolina, Columbia campus, invites applications for a 9-month, full time tenure-track faculty position in Media Arts at the rank of Assistant Professor to begin August 16, 2025.

The faculty member will teach 4 courses per year (2 per semester) and develop new courses in 2D animation that create synergy with existing courses in 3D animation, game design, new media, and manga. The position’s location in an art and design school means that courses and curriculum can intersect in exciting ways with school disciplines such as drawing, graphic design, and illustration. The faculty member’s teaching contributions will accentuate student skills and career readiness so that they can enter industries of multiple kinds where animation is applied (entertainment, industrial, medical, etc.). The faculty member will also provide service and leadership to the Media Arts program, school, college, and university. Expectations include maintaining a high level of research accomplishment and exhibition record, active pursuit of professional opportunities in the field, and strong and engaged teaching.

The School of Visual Art and Design employs 38 full-time faculty members who teach classes for approximately 650 majors in four disciplines: art education, art history, media arts, and studio art and design. The school, which is accredited with NASAD and NCATE, offers BA, BFA, MA, MAT, and MFA degrees. For more information about the School of Visual Art and Design visit our website at http://artsandsciences.sc.edu/art.

The position requires an MFA or PhD in film, media or closely related field by the start date of employment, plus research expertise in 2D animation, and either the potential for or a demonstrated record of excellence in teaching.

The successful candidate will have a research profile in media production with a focus on 2D animation and demonstrate the potential for ongoing contributions to the field as an artist-researcher. We are especially interested in candidates who use a wide range of 2D animation concepts and techniques in their work to produce novel and exciting contributions to industry and/or arts and culture. While the research profile must align with the Media Arts program’s existing focus on the media industries (video game production, 3D animation, film production, and manga), it may also expand upon it through interdisciplinary research with other fields. For example, the research profile could interface with storytelling-based animation production for entertainment or could extend to other industries such as engineering and biomedical fields (i.e., simulations, visualization, and generative AI).

08/16/2025

09/05/2024

Yes

Review of applications will begin on November 22, 2024. Inquiries about this position may be directed to the Chair of the search committee, Prof. Northrop Davis, DAVISNF@mailbox.sc.edu

1. A cover letter that describes research and teaching expertise and interests
2. Curriculum Vitae
3. Portfolio of animation production and work samples with brief narrative that clearly describe the applicant’s contributions. The portfolio may be provided either as a URL link to a website or online file. If a password is needed to view, please remember to include it.
4. Names and contact information for 3 professional references, including current email address. Letters will be solicited from referees at the semi-finalist stage

Positions are advertised for a minimum of five (5) business days on our job website. After five (5) business days, positions can be closed at the discretion of the department at any time. This position is open until filled. This employment site is updated on a regular basis. The length of the recruitment and screening process may vary from position to position, depending upon a variety of factors. Should review of your qualifications result in a decision to pursue your candidacy, you will be contacted by phone or email.

https://uscjobs.sc.edu/postings/175009

The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in educational or employment opportunities or decisions for qualified persons on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender (including transgender), gender identity or expression, genetic information, HIV/AIDs status, military status, national origin, pregnancy (false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, childbirth, recovery therefrom or related medical conditions, breastfeeding), race, religion (including religious dress and grooming practices), sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other bases under federal, state, local law, or regulations.