Assistant Teaching Professor of Animation
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Job Location:
Lawrence, KS - USA
Monthly Salary:
Not Disclosed
Posted on:
30-10-2025
Vacancies:
1 Vacancy
Job Summary
1.0 full-time equivalent appointment will be distributed as follows:
Disclaimer
The University of Kansas prohibits discrimination on the basis of race color ethnicity religion sex national origin age ancestry disability status as a veteran sexual orientation marital status parental status gender identity gender expression and genetic information in the universitys programs and activities. Retaliation is also prohibited by university policy. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies and is the Title IX coordinator for all KU and KUMC campuses: Associate Vice Chancellor for the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Room 1082 Dole Human Development Center 1000 Sunnyside Avenue Lawrence KSTTY.
Jeremy Shellhorn Chair of the Department of Design
Position Overview
The Department of Design at the University of Kansas is seeking a faculty member at the Assistant Teaching Professor level to work with undergraduate students in its newly established program in Animation.
We are looking for an enthusiastic and engaging design thinker and maker with a passion for visual storytelling character animation and the development and exploration of animation tools and techniques who is interested in working closely with our faculty to build this new program. Candidates with experience in teaching curriculum development and robust professional practice will stand out. We also encourage recent masters degree graduates eager to launch a career in animation education or education and mentorship minded industry professional to apply.
Candidates must be able to demonstrate professional level skills in 2D or 3D animation practice with a focus on narrative and character animation complemented by a strong historical familiarity with the medium and a passion for educating students in these areas.
Candidates should also have a strong background in industry standard production tools and methods and current professional practice standards.
Ideal candidates will also demonstrate a proficiency in one or more of the following areas: 3D modeling rigging texturing or lighting for animation and games; visual storytelling directing for animation storyboarding for animation visual development for animation and games acting for animation animation production and project management.
The Department of Designhoused in Chalmers Hallprepares animators illustrators experience designers graphic designers marketing creatives motion designers photographers product designers UX/UI developers and other multidisciplinary communicators to thrive as innovative practitioners and socially engaged leaders in an ever-changing professional students have access to studio spaces computer labs a letterpress lab a Riso lab a robust photography area and digital fabrication labs. Students gain insights from lectures and workshops with world-renowned designers collaborations with industry partners and opportunities to participate in short-term study abroad programs and semester-long internships in the US and abroad.
Students earn a BFA in Designwith programs inAnimationIllustrationIndustrial DesignVisual Communication Designand Interaction Design. The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Design is a four-year 120-credit-hour degree program. All design students spend the first semester in general design foundation courses and in the second semester begin taking foundation courses in their chosen major.
KU Design also offers minorsinDesign Design Entrepreneurship and Certificates in Book Arts.
Our Graduate programsoffer an M.A. in Interaction and User Experience Design and an M.A. in Design Management and Strategy. The Master of Arts in Design is 31 credit hours of coursework a thesis that documents independent discovery and research and an oral examination.
KUs excellence is a result of the rich tapestry of experiences perspectives and backgrounds of our faculty staff students and colleagues from across our nation and the globe. At KU we invest in continuous learning and growth by creating a climate where people engage in respectful dialogue and debate and support each others success. We foster a culture of care where each person is seen heard and valued. When people feel a true sense of belonging we believe they are better able to reach their full potential and achieve remarkable things. This is a non-tenure position with up to a 3-year limited term contract which has the possibility of renewal based upon a comprehensive evaluation.
The successful candidate must be eligible to work in the U.S. by the effective date of the appointment.
#LI-HR1
Additional Candidate Instruction
A complete application will include the following items:
- Teaching/Advising (60%) Teach required courses in animation program as well as animation courses open to all other majors at the undergraduate level. The typical teaching expectation for this position is a 3/3 course load. Participate in the planning and integration of existing and new course work & technologies in the Animation undergraduate program. Candidates must also meet department expectations in terms of student advising.
- Research and/or Applied Professional Practice (20%) Conduct research creative and/or professional work that focuses on animation and its application. Collaborate with clients on the application of this work and/or disseminate this work through peer-reviewed publications and conferences.
- Service (20%) Serve the department university state and the profession. This includes attending departmental meetings participating in committees and boards and performing select administrative departmental functions.
Disclaimer
The University of Kansas prohibits discrimination on the basis of race color ethnicity religion sex national origin age ancestry disability status as a veteran sexual orientation marital status parental status gender identity gender expression and genetic information in the universitys programs and activities. Retaliation is also prohibited by university policy. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies and is the Title IX coordinator for all KU and KUMC campuses: Associate Vice Chancellor for the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Room 1082 Dole Human Development Center 1000 Sunnyside Avenue Lawrence KSTTY.
Jeremy Shellhorn Chair of the Department of Design
- Masters degree in animation illustration entertainment design film visual communications or a related field.
- Candidates with a bachelors degree in animation or a related field with 5 years demonstrated professional experience will also be considered. Industry professionals with an interest in academia are encouraged to apply.
- A strong portfolio demonstrating expertise in teaching research and/or industry experience specifically in the areas of 2D/3D animation and related fields.
- Ability to demonstrate a commitment to collaborate and support faculty colleagues develop curriculum and help expand animation studio offerings.
- Demonstrated excellent written and oral communication skills and a strong collaborative spirit for teamwork and service.
Position Overview
The Department of Design at the University of Kansas is seeking a faculty member at the Assistant Teaching Professor level to work with undergraduate students in its newly established program in Animation.
We are looking for an enthusiastic and engaging design thinker and maker with a passion for visual storytelling character animation and the development and exploration of animation tools and techniques who is interested in working closely with our faculty to build this new program. Candidates with experience in teaching curriculum development and robust professional practice will stand out. We also encourage recent masters degree graduates eager to launch a career in animation education or education and mentorship minded industry professional to apply.
Candidates must be able to demonstrate professional level skills in 2D or 3D animation practice with a focus on narrative and character animation complemented by a strong historical familiarity with the medium and a passion for educating students in these areas.
Candidates should also have a strong background in industry standard production tools and methods and current professional practice standards.
Ideal candidates will also demonstrate a proficiency in one or more of the following areas: 3D modeling rigging texturing or lighting for animation and games; visual storytelling directing for animation storyboarding for animation visual development for animation and games acting for animation animation production and project management.
About the Department of Design
The Department of Designhoused in Chalmers Hallprepares animators illustrators experience designers graphic designers marketing creatives motion designers photographers product designers UX/UI developers and other multidisciplinary communicators to thrive as innovative practitioners and socially engaged leaders in an ever-changing professional students have access to studio spaces computer labs a letterpress lab a Riso lab a robust photography area and digital fabrication labs. Students gain insights from lectures and workshops with world-renowned designers collaborations with industry partners and opportunities to participate in short-term study abroad programs and semester-long internships in the US and abroad.
Students earn a BFA in Designwith programs inAnimationIllustrationIndustrial DesignVisual Communication Designand Interaction Design. The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Design is a four-year 120-credit-hour degree program. All design students spend the first semester in general design foundation courses and in the second semester begin taking foundation courses in their chosen major.
KU Design also offers minorsinDesign Design Entrepreneurship and Certificates in Book Arts.
Our Graduate programsoffer an M.A. in Interaction and User Experience Design and an M.A. in Design Management and Strategy. The Master of Arts in Design is 31 credit hours of coursework a thesis that documents independent discovery and research and an oral examination.
KUs excellence is a result of the rich tapestry of experiences perspectives and backgrounds of our faculty staff students and colleagues from across our nation and the globe. At KU we invest in continuous learning and growth by creating a climate where people engage in respectful dialogue and debate and support each others success. We foster a culture of care where each person is seen heard and valued. When people feel a true sense of belonging we believe they are better able to reach their full potential and achieve remarkable things. This is a non-tenure position with up to a 3-year limited term contract which has the possibility of renewal based upon a comprehensive evaluation.
The successful candidate must be eligible to work in the U.S. by the effective date of the appointment.
#LI-HR1
Additional Candidate Instruction
A complete application will include the following items:
- Cover letter addressing qualifications
- Resume/CV
- Statement of teaching philosophy
- References: the names addresses and phone numbers of at least three references qualified to evaluate your professional experiences and achievements.
- A representative visual on-line portfolio of creative work and/or personal work.
- A representative on-line portfolio of student work.
- Supporting materials such as links to websites videos research blogs prints books etc. can be submitted as links in addition to on-line portfolios.
Key Skills
- Experience Working With Students
- Classroom Experience
- Medical Management
- Library Services
- Pharmacy Residency
- Research Experience
- Teaching
- Higher Education Teaching
- Curriculum Development
- Grant Writing
- Mentoring
- Research Laboratory Experience
About Company
Thank you for your interest in employment with the University of Kansas. If you need assistance with the application process please contact Human Resources at [email protected] or 785-864-4946.
