Assistant Professor of Communications (Digital Media)

Position: Assistant Professor of Communications (Digital Media: Game Design/3D Animation)

Type: Tenure-Track Academic Year: 2026-2027 Available: Fall 2026

Location: Department of Communications

College of Arts and Humanities

California State University Bakersfield

9001 Stockdale Highway

Bakersfield CA 93311-1099

Contact: Requests for information about the position and application process should be directed to:

Prof. Mary Slaughter Search and Screening Committee Chair

Email:

Tel:

Deadline: Full consideration will be given to complete applications submitted by February 4 2026. Applications submitted after the deadline may be reviewed at the discretion of the committee until the position is filled.

University Background: CSU Bakersfield founded in 1970 is a regional comprehensive university serving the southern San Joaquin Valley of California. CSU Bakersfields service area covers nearly 25000 square miles and is home to a socially and ethnically diverse population. CSU Bakersfield is the only four-year degree granting institution within a 100-mile radius. Due to this CSU Bakersfield has a vital role in educational obtainment economic development and quality of life within the region. The campus serves 9800 undergraduate students and 1750 graduate credential and post-baccalaureate students. CSU Bakersfield is a federally designated Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI).

The accolades recently received by CSU Bakersfield include: #18 in Top Public Universities in the West (U.S. News and World Report 2025) #17 in Best Bang for the Buck for Western Colleges and #8 in Best Masters University (Washington Monthly 2025) #9 in Economic Mobility Index (Third Way 2024) and #4 in California Mobility Index (College Future Foundation 2024).

Commitment to Diversity: The Department of Communications within the College of Arts and Humanities at CSU Bakersfield is committed to academic and inclusive excellence and diversity within the faculty staff and student body.

College Information: Comprised of seven departments (Art & Art History Communications English History Modern Languages & Literatures Music & Theatre and Philosophy & Religious Studies) the College of Arts & Humanities at California State University Bakersfield provides thriving academic degree programs to approximately 1000 students as well as core areas of General Education for the approximately 11000 students at the addition to classroom instruction the departments in the College host art exhibits dramatic productions and concerts as well as The Runner (the Student Newspaper) and student broadcasting programs. Departments often invite distinguished visiting artists and speakers to present to university-wide audiences. Students benefit from high-impact practices in the College including direct experience with the arts and humanities in public cultural settings through the Beyond the Classroom program. The College also offers three M.A. programs (English History and Spanish). Lastly the College houses the Institute for Basque Studies the Public History Institute and the Institute for Religion Education and Public Policy (all of which also link to the broader community in Kern County).

Department Information: The Department of Communications has approximately 200 majors and is growing. Professors come to know students well and mentor them for success. We offer aB.A. degree with concentrations in in Digital Media Journalism and Public Relations. For more information please visit our website at Description: Applications are invited for a tenure-track position in Digital Media with an emphasis on Game Design and 3D Animation at the Assistant Professor level beginning in August 2026. We are looking for a creative practitioner who brings dedication to craft deep technical skill and the agility to adapt to evolving production pipelines ensuring students gain real-world industry-aligned experience.

Minimum Qualifications: The successful candidate will possess an M.F.A. D.F.A. or Arts/Practice PhD degree in game design animation media arts or a closely related field. The successful candidate will also have extensive experience with real-world and hands-on production with one or more of the following:

Game Development Production Skills

• Game engines (Unreal Engine Unity) and/or virtual production
• Level design and world-building
• Gameplay prototyping
• Asset integration and optimization
• Experience contributing to a playable project

3D Modeling & Animation Skills

• Character or environment modeling
• UV mapping and texturing
• Rigging and animation
• Lighting and rendering (real-time or offline)
• Experience with production pipelines (model texture rig animate engine)

Teaching: Candidates should demonstrate:

• Ability to teach software
• Ability to design assignments and develop courses based on real-world production workflows
• Strong communication and critique skills
• Ability to support diverse learners and emerging artists
• Commitment to maintaining industry-relevant skills
• Commitment to teaching undergraduate students from diverse socioeconomic cultural and academic backgrounds including first-generation students

Creative Research: The successful candidate will also have an identified program of creative research that aligns with studies and/or practice in game design audio/video production 3D animation motion graphics VR/AR and/or immersive environments. Candidates should also have teaching and/or professional experience in game design and 3D animation.

Rank and Salary: Assistant Professor; salary based on qualifications and experience.

Anticipated annual salary range: $74652 $80000

Application: The complete application package must include:

1) Cover letter

2) Curriculum vitae with evidence of a clear research program leading to exhibition/publication

3) Teaching portfolio with a number of samples of student work and a statement of teaching philosophy

4) Three letters of recommendation with contact information for reference checks

5) A statement regarding ones contribution to diversity equity and inclusion. This statement should include information on how the applicant currently or will potentially promote diversity equity and inclusion through their teaching research and service at CSU Bakersfield.

6) Creative work/reel portfolio. Applicants should submit multiple samples of creative work. These samples shall include a mix of following:

• Completed or in-progress relevant creative work
• 3D models animations or game prototypes
• Breakdown of workflow and process
• Industry-level execution

All video samples should be uploaded to a Vimeo or YouTube site. Please include the URL and password (if applicable) within the relevant portfolio PDF.

Please email the completed application materials in a single PDF file to: Prof. Mary Slaughter Search and Screening Committee Chair .

Benefits: Faculty employee benefits are very competitive for the higher education sector. See theCSU Employee Benefits Summaryfor details about the CSUs excellent benefits package.

Background Check: A background check (including a criminal records check) must be satisfactorily completed. Offers of employment are conditional and may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current CSU employee who is conditionally offered the position.

Authorization to Work: Employment is contingent upon US residence and proof of eligibility to work in the United States. CSUB is currently unable to sponsor new H-1B employment visas which are subject to the $100000 fee established by the Presidential Proclamation: Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers issued on September 19 2025. Applicants are responsible for determining the applicability of the fee.

Out of State Employment: Per CSU-wide policy all faculty who will begin initial employment (or return from a 12-month break in service) on or after January 1 2022 are required to perform their work from within the State of California. Faculty assignments include in-person duties that require an on-campus presence.

Mandated Reporter: The person holding this position is considered a mandated reporter under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment. The person will also have a duty to report to the Campus Title IX Officer information pertaining to discrimination harassment sexual misconduct or exploitation dating or domestic violence stalking and retaliation under the CSU Interim Nondiscrimination Policy.

Clery Act: CSUBs annual crime report includes statistics for the previous three years concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus in certain off-campus centers such as our Antelope Valley Satellite Campus and on property within or immediately adjacent to and accessible from CSUB. The report also includes policies concerning security on campus such as alcohol and drug use crime prevention reporting crimes sexual assault and other subjects. Additionally a daily log of offenses is maintained and can be reviewed at the front desk of the Department of Public Safety. You can obtain a copy of the annual report by contacting the Department of Public Safety/University Police at or by logging on to their website at: Statement: All university programs and activities are open and available to all regardless of race sex color ethnicity or national origin. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws CSUB provides equal opportunity in education and employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race sex color ethnicity or national origin. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every student and employee has access to the resources and support they need to thrive and succeed in a university environment and in their communities.

CSUB complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act the California Equity in Higher Education Act Californias Proposition 209 (Art. I Section 31 of the California Constitution) other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws and CSUs Nondiscrimination Policy. We prohibit discriminatory preferential treatment segregation based on race or any other protected status and all forms of discrimination harassment and retaliation in all university programs policies and practices.

CSUB is a diverse community of individuals who represent many perspectives beliefs and identities committed to fostering an inclusive respectful and intellectually vibrant environment. We cultivate a culture of open dialogue mutual respect and belonging to support educational excellence and student success. Through academic programs student organizations and activities faculty initiatives and community partnerships we encourage meaningful engagement with diverse perspectives. As a higher education institution we are dedicated to advancing knowledge and empowering individuals to reach their full potential by prioritizing inclusive curriculum development faculty and staff training student mentorship and comprehensive support programs. At CSUB excellence is built on merit talent diversity accessibility and equal opportunity for all.