Below are job announcements for two newly-approved faculty positions at UConn. I’m sending them to you in hopes you might know qualified candidates who would be interested. Both Digital Media and Communication programs are growing rapidly. Digital Media is a new program with a just-approved B.A. degree program that is still assembling a full faculty. Communication is an established and highly rated program offering B.A, M.A., and Ph.D. degrees that has been identified for growth by the UConn administration. Both programs will be adding 4-5 new positions over the next three years. Both the positions described below are excellent opportunities for a new faculty member to join a very interesting and rapidly growing multidisciplinary group and to influence the development of academic programs and research that are on the leading edge of media and communication.
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Assistant/Associate Professor
Game Design and Development
School of Fine Arts, Digital Media & Design Program
University of Connecticut
The University of Connecticut School of Fine Arts Digital Media and Design Program invites applications for a full-time nine-month, tenured or tenure-track faculty position at the level of Assistant or Associate Professor in the area of Game Design and Development. The successful candidate will teach undergraduate and graduate-level classes within the context of a new BFA/MFA digital games program, in addition to supporting faculty collaborations in game design and implementation through the Digital Media Center (http://dmc.uconn.edu/).The position begins 8/26/2013.
The successful candidate will have working knowledge of the underlying academic disciplines and professional practices involved in game design, including graphic design and animation, artificial intelligence, theater, narrative development, human cognition, computer programming, and human-computer interaction. This candidate will develop and deliver core courses in game studies and game design. These courses may include “History and Culture of Games,” “Introduction to Game Design,” “Advanced Game Design and Mechanics,” and “Narrative Design.” The candidate will participate in building collaborations across the disciplines intersecting with game studies, including the fields within the humanities and social sciences; art; design; education; engineering; and business. Excellent communication skills and a collaborative predisposition are essential.
Minimum Qualifications
The following are the minimum qualifications for a successful candidate:
- BFA, BS, BA, or equivalent foreign degrees are acceptable.
- Significant professional game creation experience;
- Demonstrated expertise in developing engaging and dynamic digital games;
- Familiarity with major game engines, game programming languages, and game platforms;
- Familiarity with a range of game genres including single and multi-player, role playing, simulation, and alternate or mixed-reality games;
- Knowledge of the complete process of game creation and implementation, including character development, game narrative structures, and associated game mechanics;
- An understanding of the game project management process;
- Familiarity with supporting graphics and animation software applications;
- A strong portfolio demonstrating ideation, design, final project implementation in the field of digital games.
Preferred Qualifications
- MFA or Ph.D. degree;
- Experience working on published commercial games, especially AAA titles,
- Production experience in one or more major game engines such as: Unreal, CryEngine, Unity, or Source;
- Experience in developing games in an academic setting;
- Strong ability in at least one or more programming language: JavaScript, C++, C#, Python, PHP, Actionscript, or other language commonly used in game implementation;
- Experience with major middleware, Game Engines, and asset management software.
- Experience with game development processes including 3D and 2D workflow, play testing, and post-mortem project evaluation techniques;
- AI experience with a full understanding of the core concepts;
- Game modification experience;
- Experience creating a complete Game Design Document;
- Experience with Serious Games as well as Entertainment Games;
- iOS publishing experience;
- The ability to contribute to the diversity and excellence of the learning experience through innovative research, teaching, and public engagement;
- A record of distinguished teaching and mentoring at the undergraduate/graduate level.
Salary is competitive and based on qualifications and professional experience. The successful candidate’s primary academic appointment will be at the Storrs campus with the possibility of work at UConn’s Stamford campus.
Applications must be submitted to Husky Hire: http://jobs.uconn.edu/cg_
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATION
Position Available: The Department of Communication at the University of Connecticut invites applications for a tenured or tenure-track professor, at the Advanced Assistant, Associate, or Full Professor level in the area of new communication technology. The successful candidate will conduct socially meaningful empirical research, seek grant funding, teach both undergraduate and graduate courses, and perform professional service commensurate with rank.
The University is ranked among US News and World Report’s top 20 public institutions. The Department of Communication is ranked Number 1 in New England, according to the National Research Council and ranks among the six most research-productive nationally. The program serves approximately 500 undergraduate majors, 10 M.A. and 35 Ph.D. students. There are 13 faculty positions at the Storrs (main) Campus. The department is equipped with laboratory space and research equipment including facilities for investigating interpersonal/relational interaction, online interactions and human computer interaction as well as nonverbal/emotional communication. Facilities include laboratories equipped to study responses to media stimuli, interpersonal/relational interaction, online interactions and human computer interaction, virtual reality interventions, and some physiological responses; interactive voice response (IVR) technology is also available for phone-based interventions and surveys and some physiological measures. Candidates have the opportunity to affiliate with the Digital Media Center and contribute to the growth and development of the new interdisciplinary major in Digital Media as well as the Center for Health Communication and Marketing. The Storrs campus is located in Connecticut between Boston and New York City.
Qualifications:
Minimum Qualifications: Ph.D. in Communication or related field; evidence of research productivity; university teaching and administrative experience; evidence of grant activity; the ability to work in a collegial manner with a diverse faculty, staff and student population; the ability to teach quantitative research methods; and the ability to teach undergraduate and graduate courses in new communication technology. Additionally, the successful candidate must be able to teach in at least one of the following areas: social media, media effects, video game design and effects, e-commerce, health, human-computer interaction, computer-mediated communication, organizational communication, network analysis, or language and behavior in virtual communities or the study, design, and development of media and social networks.
Candidates must also possess the ability to conduct empirical research in new communication technology; to obtain external grant funding to support research; and the ability and experience performing professional service commensurate with rank.
Preferred Qualifications: It is preferred that candidates possess the ability to contribute through research, teaching, and/or public engagement to the diversity and excellence of the learning experience.
Appointment Terms: Tenured or tenure-track professor, at the Advanced Assistant, Associate, or Full Professor.
To Apply: Please use Husky Hire (http:/www.jobs.uconn.edu) and submit a cover letter, CV, copies of relevant publications, and evidence of teaching experience. Please submit three letters of reference to lauren.munyard@uconn.edu. The committee will begin reviewing applications at the end of November of 2012. Direct inquiries to Kristine Nowak (Kristine.nowak@uconn.edu). The University of Connecticut is an EEO/AA employer.