Department: School of Digital Arts

Campus Location: Wichita, KS-WSU Shocker Studios (Harry Street)

Hire Type: Full Time

Pay: Commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8am-5pm: Varies depending upon teaching schedule

Export Compliance Requirement: No export control requirement.

Job Story

Come strut your stuff for the animation department at Shocker Studios! The Assistant Professor of Animation will be tasked with creating and altering curriculum, instructing digital arts students, and fostering industry connections with partners in and out of Wichita. In between mentorship and professional development opportunities, the Assistant Professor will also be afforded the opportunity to collaborate with their peers and students on extracurricular, professional-grade projects. They’ll offer instruction, expertise, and advice for compositing with NUKE, lighting in 3D software like Maya or Unreal Engine, and virtual production. Our new colleague will elevate the animation department through the application of skills they’ve learned in the industry. By contributing to a one-of-a-kind Bachelor of Applied Arts program, they will also grow the burgeoning animation community in Wichita by interacting with community partners, coordinating internships, and fostering connections at Wichita State and in the city at large.

The Assistant Professor of Animation is a full-time tenure track faculty position that will teach, advise, mentor and recruit undergraduate digital arts students with a focus in animation. This instructor would greatly benefit the Filmmaking concentration considering these disciplines are closely intertwined across both film and animation. The academic appointment for this position will be effective August 2, 2026.

About the School of Digital Arts (SODA)
Offering a Bachelor of Applied Arts (BAA) in Media Arts with concentrations in Acting for Digital Arts, Animation, Audio Production, Collaborative Design, Filmmaking, and Game Design, the School of Digital Arts stands out as the fastest growing school within the university. Its enrollment and programmatic expansion are outpacing initial projections and contributes to the institution’s record-breaking growth. The School of Digital Arts at Wichita State University is deeply connected to industry partners, giving students first-hand, applied learning experiences that bridge the classroom and real-world practice. These opportunities prepare students to enter their chosen fields with practical skills, professional networks, and clear career pathways: https://www.wichita.edu/digitalarts

About the College of Fine Arts (CFA)
Wichita State University’s College of Fine Arts includes four schools: Art, Design and Creative Industries, Digital Arts, Music, and Performing Arts. The college is a beacon for arts leadership and economy in the city, state, and region. Learn about the CFA arts and cultural impact: https://www.wichita.edu/about/strategic_plan/documents/2021-WSU-Impact-report-digital.pdf

Job Summary

Teach courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels using various instructional deliveries (e.g., traditional (face-to-face), hybrid, and fully online). To foster applied learning into the course design and engage with industry and local business community applied projects. To advance knowledge through scholarly activities (e.g., active involvement in committees, student mentorship, recruitment and retention initiative, outreach activities, etc.)

Essential Functions

Meet expectations for research, teaching, and service as set forth by the department and college.

Job Duties

Provide instruction for the Compositing & VFX I and Compositing & VFX II Courses. Provide additional instruction to Lighting and Materials, Texturing and Shading, or Digital Sets as is necessary. Develop and improve the existing curriculum for relevant courses. Mentor and advise students for enrollment and capstone projects. Recruit potential undergraduate students. Provide feedback for the degree tracks pertaining to all Media Arts concentrations. Develop projects for Shocker Studios as part of research and creative activity.

Required Education and Experience:

• Terminal degree in direct field
• Teaching experience

Faculty Requirements

• MFA in Animation or related field (must have completed terminal degree by time of application)
• 3+ years professional experience with compositing, lighting, and virtual production.
• Experience with NUKE and other industry-standard compositing/VFX tools.
• Willingness to accommodate a variety of learning styles and strategies in instructional delivery and learning activities, including online and blended learning, flexible teaching methods, and applied learning approaches.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to use and teach industry standard software.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 3+ years professional experience as an animator
• Professional experience with Unreal Engine for film and/or virtual production workflows.
• Prior college-level teaching experience in animation, VFX, or digital arts.
• Knowledge of lighting and rendering pipelines (e.g., Arnold, Redshift, or similar).
• Demonstrated ability to develop new curricula and contribute to program growth.
• Record of creative scholarship or industry projects with regional, national, or international impact.
• Commitment to applied learning and mentoring students in professional, collaborative environments.
• Ability to work across disciplines (film, game design, acting, audio production) and foster industry partnerships.
• Demonstrated ability to teach undergraduate courses in animation.

Additional Information:

REQUIRED APPLICATION MATERIALS:
Cover Letter/Letter of Application
Teaching Philosophy
Portfolio of Creative and/or Scholarly Work (URL): include up to 15 examples of your artistic, creative, or scholarly achievements.
Course Syllabi or Sample Syllabus

For more information, contact Jalen Cooper, Animation Program Coordinator, Chair, Animation Search Committee, jalen.cooper@wichita.edu

Physical Requirements:

Ability to remain in a stationary position – Frequent 60-90%; Ability to operate a computer and other office equipment including but not limited to phone, printers, copiers, and calculators – Frequent 60-90%

Additional Physical Requirement: