What are the responsibilities and job description for the Assistant Professor- Digital Animation Game Design (Tenure Track- Academic Year) position at Ferris State University?
| Position Title: | Assistant Professor- Digital Animation Game Design (Tenure Track- Academic Year) | |
| Location: | Multiple Locations | |
| Department: |
34700 - School of Digital Media |
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| Advertised Salary: | $65,000-$75,000. Salary commensurate with education, experience, and other requirements. | |
| Benefits: |
Comprehensive benefits package (health care, vacation, etc.). Please see the following link for a list of benefits offered with this position. Faculty Health Benefit Plans |
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| FLSA: | Exempt | |
| Temporary/Continuing: | Continuing | |
| Part-Time/Full-Time: | Full-Time | |
| Union Group: | Ferris Faculty Association (MEA-NEA) | |
| Term of Position: | Academic Year (faculty) | |
| At Will/Just Cause: | Just Cause | |
| Summary of Position: | Teaching will include undergraduate and graduate courses in Big Rapids & Grand Rapids. Candidates are expected to foster a meaningful learning experience for our students, be student-oriented, advise students, and integrate current technology into the learning environment. Additionally, faculty will participate in collaborative efforts to foster curricular development, assess student learning, and further programmatic enhancement. Specifically, we expect the candidate to engage students outside the classroom, support and expand our existing academic initiatives, and mentor students beyond a traditional academic advising role. In support of teaching, candidates will engage in scholarly/professional activities and participate in department, college, and university committees. Off-campus and online teaching may be required. Courses are to be taught in person on one of Ferris State University's Campuses. This position is based on the Ferris Grand Rapids campus but will also require instruction in Big Rapids and online. The candidate(s) selected for the position must reside in Michigan after acceptance of employment and will perform duties at a Ferris site. The anticipated start date for this position is August of 2027. However, this is an estimated date and can be revised if needed. The selected candidate for this position must be authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire without employer assistance or sponsorship now or in the future. The university will not assist with any F-1 EADs, OPT, H1B, etc. |
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| Position Type: | Faculty - Temporary & Continuing | |
| Required Education: | Master's degree in Computer Science OR Master's degree in Digital Media OR a Master's degree and 18 graduate credit hours in computer science, digital media, or a related discipline. |
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| Required Work Experience: | Three years of professional experience in Game Design and Development. Experience with game engines such as Unity3D and Unreal Engine, with a strong grasp of programming, mathematics, physics, level design, or interaction design. The successful candidate must demonstrate strong interpersonal and communication skills needed to work effectively with a diverse array of students and colleagues. |
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| Required Licenses and Certifications: | ||
| Physical Demands: |
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| Additional Education/Experiences to be Considered: | MFA/Terminal Degree preferred. Professional experience in Media, Game Design, programming, or equivalent. Familiarity with Unity3D, Unreal Engine 5, C , C#, Java, JavaScript, Git, UI/UX, and project management. The preferred candidate would demonstrate advanced understanding of game development topics such as Collision Detection, Pathfinding, Game Programming Patterns, AI, Shaders, Game Physics, Vector Algebra, and Trigonometry. Teaching experience, including experience teaching courses through blended or online instruction. |
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| Essential Duties/Responsibilities: | Teach full-time during the academic year. Recruitment of students (including Dawg Days, Admitted Student Days, visits to high schools or career tech centers, and other University outreach events) will occur throughout the academic year and will include some Saturdays. Serve on program committees and represent the program(s) on College and University committees. Collaborate with faculty on curriculum development, assessment, and quality assurance. The candidate is expected to teach at both the Big Rapids and Grand Rapids campuses. Teach and coordinate elective courses in areas of expertise. Collaborate in the design and implementation of additional undergraduate and graduate degrees. Maintain records and conduct assessments, advising, and all other administrative functions of the position in accordance with policies and procedures developed by the university, college, school, department, and/or program. Perform duties in accordance with established University policies. Act as liaison between the program and professional organizations through active, individual involvement and, potentially, as the program-appointed representative. Enthusiastically support student success through active involvement with individual students, student organizations, and student competitions, both within and outside of the classroom. Remain current in the profession. The position reports to the Department Chair or Director and the Dean. Support, promote, and develop University student enrollment and retention initiatives. Ferris State University's philosophy prioritizes excellence in teaching while encouraging involvement in scholarly activity. Work with colleagues to develop new curricular initiatives. Faculty members also have professional responsibilities which may include advising students, orientation and registration of students, participation in university committees, keeping regularly posted office hours (which are scheduled at times convenient for students), and participation in traditional functions which have academic significance (ex., reporting initial student participation data and submitting final grades on time). Faculty members may be required to teach off-campus or in an online environment. Serve as an academic advisor for the Digital Animation and Game Design (DAGD) program. Advise students on equivalent community college courses; assist with student registration; verify consortium forms; and review graduation audit requirements. Participate as a liaison with industry to promote the DAGD program. Operates a university or personal vehicle safely while carrying out job responsibilities. Will authorize, pursuant to university policies and procedures, a driving record check, and will meet the driving authorization requirements through the course of employment in a position where you are authorized to drive a vehicle as part of your duties. Carries out responsibilities in accordance with university policies and applicable laws. Responsible for maintaining confidentiality of information pursuant to university policies and/or state or federal laws. Cultivates an environment of belonging that values, respects, supports, and celebrates individual similarities and differences, allowing students, faculty, and staff to thrive authentically. Support, promote, and develop university student enrollment and retention initiatives. Any other duties assigned within the position classification area. |
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| Marginal Duties/Responsibilities: | Ability to create video tutorials for student review. Function and participate as a valued team member. Experience with various software development strategies and project management. |
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| Skills and Abilities: | Able to build and publish executables for developed games. Network development toward multiplayer and server-based software. Strong teaching ability, as documented through teaching tools such as syllabi, grading contracts, assignment sheets, and rubrics. Able to demonstrate and teach UI/UX and IxD skills. Utilize both 2D and 3D platforms for game development. Programming knowledge of topics such as Matrices, Projection, Emergence, and Procedural Generation and their application in game development contexts. Demonstrated successful experience working directly with people from diverse backgrounds, including cultural, educational, socioeconomic, and life experiences. |
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| Required Documents: |
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| Optional Documents: | ||
| Special Instructions to Applicants: | Unofficial Transcript 1 (REQUIRED): Applicants must attach a copy of an unofficial transcript of their Master's degree. Transcripts must include the institution name, applicant name, date degree attained, and the degree awarded. The individual hired will be required to submit an official transcript. Unofficial Transcript 2 (OPTIONAL): Applicants who have completed college coursework or attained an additional degree must attach a copy of their unofficial transcript. Transcript must include institution name, applicant name, date degree attained, and the degree awarded. The individual hired will be required to submit an official transcript. |
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| Initial Application Review Date: |
January 11, 2027 | |
| Open Until Position is Filled?: | Yes | |
| Posting Close Date: |
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| EEO Statement: | Ferris State University, an Equal Opportunity employer, is committed to cultivating an environment of belonging that values, respects, supports, and celebrates individual similarities and differences within its community, allowing students, faculty, and staff to thrive authentically. Ferris offers employment opportunities to qualified candidates seeking careers in a student-focused environment that values opportunity, collaboration, diversity and educational excellence. Learn more about the Ferris Mission and community at ferris.edu. For more information on the University's Policy on Non-Discrimination, visit: Ferris Non-Discrimination Statement. | |
| Click here to learn more about working at FSU. | ||
Salary : $65,000 - $75,000