Instructor or Lecturer in Games and Interactive Media at the University of Central Florida

The Opportunity

The Nicholson School of Communication and Media (NSCM) in the College of Sciences (COS) at the University of Central Florida (UCF) invites applications for a nine-month, non-tenure-earning instructor or lecturer position with Games and Interactive Media, anticipated to begin in January 2025.

The UCF Nicholson School of Communication and Media’s undergraduate Games and Interactive Media program (GaIM) is now the #6 ranked game design program in the world, according to the Princeton Review. UCF opened the NSCM/GaIM Maker Space in November 2019 at the UCF Downtown campus. The Maker Space is designed for games and interactive media research, including games, mixed reality (augmented and virtual), physical computing, and web/mobile creation and research. It is outfitted, among many other items, with several high-performance gaming computers (for programming and playing games) and multiple VR equipment, including Oculus Rift and Quest headsets. Microsoft-donated computers for use with the headsets and eye-tracking equipment.

The selected candidate will contribute to the mission of the Games and Interactive Media program by teaching primarily web and interactive media-related courses, with a focus on upper-division web programming. Based on the current workload policy, the teaching load will be four courses each fall and spring semester.

Other typical responsibilities include providing appropriate service in student advising (academic and career) and actively participating in the academic life of the school. This includes attending faculty meetings, graduations, assessing student learning, and engaging in committee work. These activities are integral to our commitment to student success and academic excellence.

External service expectations include work with appropriate academic disciplinary bodies and professional organizations. This position has no research expectation, but research and scholarly activities may be supported.

NSCM is a student-centered school with a collegial and friendly faculty and staff. We strive to be a premier academic program known for excellence in research, teaching, and service to students and the community. Our students are active in internships and organizations on and off campus, making a significant impact on the local and global community. The curriculum emphasizes the theoretical and applied aspects of the field and encourages diversity in all aspects of communication. NSCM currently offers eight baccalaureates, four master’s degree programs, and a Ph.D. program in strategic communication. For more information about the school and its GaIM programs, visit https://communication.ucf.edu and https://communication.ucf.edu/games-and-interactive-media.

The College of Sciences (COS) houses most of the university’s natural, computational, and social sciences in eight departments, two schools and several centers. The college’s programs play a key role in advancing UCF as a national research university that is determined to help students from all backgrounds achieve success. For more information, visit https://sciences.ucf.edu.

Minimum Qualifications:

A master’s degree (for an instructor) or a terminal degree (for a lecturer) in an appropriate discipline from an accredited institution by the start of employment. Applicants with a bachelor’s degree as their highest degree will be considered for an instructor only if they can document five years or more of professional experience within the games and interactive media industry.

Must have some teaching experience, formal or informal (e.g., tutoring, holding workshops, creating tutorial videos, etc.).

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience with teaching or professional experience using one or more of the following technologies: HTML5, CSS, SASS/LESS/SCSS, Bootstrap, JavaScript and JS Libraries, FileZilla and server connection protocols, NodeJS, MongoDB, SQL, NoSQL, PHP, and PaaS.

Ability to teach additional courses within the Games and Interactive Media track, including Foundations and/or Game Design.

Additional Application Materials Required:

UCF requires all applications and supporting documents to be submitted electronically through the Human Resources website, https://www.ucf.edu/jobs. In addition to the online application, interested candidates should upload the following:

A letter of application (cover letter) indicating how you are prepared to join the faculty at UCF, highlighting teaching experience and other qualifications.
A curriculum vitae (CV) or professional resume highlighting teaching/training and professional experience.
Three academic or professional references (including address, phone number and email address). Do not include reference letters.

The selected candidate will be required to submit official transcripts (and, as applicable, U.S. degree equivalency evaluations) documenting the conferral of their qualifying academic credentials.

Note: Please have all documents ready when applying so they can be simultaneously uploaded. Once the online submission process is finalized, the system does not allow applicants to submit additional documents later.

Questions regarding this search should be directed to Dr. Sercan Şengün, Search Committee Chair, Sercan.Sengun@ucf.edu.

Job Close Date:

Open until filled.

Note to applicants: Please keep in mind that a job posted as ‘Open until filled’ may close at any time without notice. As such, we encourage you to submit your application and all required documentation as quickly as possible to ensure consideration for the posted position.

Are you ready to unleash YOUR potential?

As a next-generation public research university and Forbes-ranked top employer in Florida, we are a community of thinkers, doers, creators, innovators, healers, and leaders striving to create broader prosperity and help shape a better future. No matter what your role is, when you join Knight Nation, you’ll play an integral role at one of the most impactful universities in the country. You’ll be met with opportunities to connect and collaborate with talented faculty, staff, and students across 13 colleges and multiple campuses, engaging in impactful work that makes a positive difference. Your time at UCF will provide you with many meaningful opportunities to grow; you’ll work alongside talented colleagues on complex projects that will challenge you and help you gain new skills, and you’ll have countless rewarding experiences that go well beyond a paycheck.

Working at UCF has its perks! UCF offers:

Benefit packages, including Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Flexible Spending, and Employee Assistance Program. 
Paid time off, including annual (12-month faculty) and sick time off and paid holidays.
Retirement savings options. 
Employee discounts, including tickets to many Orlando attractions. 
Education assistance.
Flexible work environment. 
And more…For more benefits information, view the UCF Employee Benefits Guide click here.

Unless explicitly stated on the job posting, it is UCF’s expectation that an employee of UCF will reside in Florida as of the date the employment begins.

Additional Requirements related to Research Positions:

Pursuant to Florida State Statute 1010.35, prior to offering employment to certain individuals in research-related positions, UCF is required to conduct additional screening. Applicants subject to additional screening include any citizen of a foreign country who is not a permanent resident of the U.S., or who is a citizen or permanent resident but is affiliated with or has had at least 1 year of education, employment, or training in China, Cuba, Iran, Russia, North Korea, Syria, or Venezuela.

The additional screening requirements only apply to research-related positions, including, but not limited to faculty, graduate positions, individuals compensated by research grants or contract funds, post-doctoral positions, undergraduate positions, visiting assistant professors, and visiting research associates.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

The University of Central Florida is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer including Disabled/Vets. Click on UCF's Equal Opportunity Statement to view the President’s Statement.

The UCF affirmative action plans for qualified individuals with disabilities and protected Veterans are available for inspection in the Office of Institutional Equity, Monday through Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., upon request.

As a Florida public university, UCF makes all application materials and selection procedures available to the public upon request.

The University of Central Florida is proud to be a smoke-free campus and an E-Verify employer.