Assistant Teaching Professor of Animation

Position Information

Forbes has ranked Ball State University as the fourth-best midsized employer—and the only recognized education institution—in the State of Indiana. Learn More

Position TitleAssistant Teaching Professor of AnimationAbout this OpportunityThe School of Art invites applications for an Assistant Teaching Professor of Animation beginning August 2025.

Salary and benefit packages for this position are competitive, with salaries for this opportunity beginning at $50,000 annually.

Ball State University and Our Pledge for the FutureDestination 2040: Our Flight Path establishes Ball State University’s ambitious goals for our second century:

• We pledge to provide a premier educational experience for every student.
• We pledge to partner with the community to improve the lives of our neighbors.
• We are dedicated to having a lifelong presence in the lives of our alumni.

And when we complement these promises with our commitment to our enduring values, we define that which makes our University and its culture distinctive.

Our faculty are collegial, collaborative, innovative, inclusive, and adaptive, both within and beyond one’s home unit. These attributes include commitments to collaborative discourse, interdisciplinary inquiry, and enterprising learning practices.

Our faculty are expected to be innovative, adaptive, engaging teachers across modalities; producers of impactful creative and/or scholarly work; leaders in meaningful service activities to multiple communities. We seek faculty members who are strategic thinkers, engaging our dynamic communities. We are committed to student and faculty success, impact, and access, within an environment that prioritizes inclusive excellence. We inspire each other to be critical thinkers and responsible citizens, so that we can pursue fulfilling careers and meaningful lives.

Ball State University lives the values of Beneficence. We invite you to be part of our community.

Ball State University is located in Muncie, Indiana, on an attractive campus 45 miles northeast of Indianapolis. Approximately 20,000 graduate and undergraduate students enroll in one of eight academic colleges that offer 270+ undergraduate and graduate programs. Many of our master’s, doctoral, certificate, and specialist degrees rank among the best in the nation. We engage students in educational, research, and creative endeavors that empower our graduates to have fulfilling careers and meaningful lives enriched by lifelong learning and service, while we enhance the economic, environmental, and social vitality of our community, our state, and our world.

Our Statement on InclusivenessAt Ball State University, inclusiveness is one of the enduring values and informs all of our work. We define ‘inclusiveness’ as a commitment ‘to respect and embrace equity, inclusion, and diversity in people, ideas, and opinions.’ As such, this value incorporates a commitment to inclusive excellence and freedom of expression.

Benefits and Community

Ball State University offers an excellent benefits package for eligible positions. Click here to explore options.

• Affordable Healthcare
• Retirement
• Tuition Remission (For eligible employees, their dependents, and spouse)
• Paid Parental Leave
• Professional Development

To learn about other faculty opportunities at Ball State University, please visit the following link:Ball State Faculty Opportunities

Live Near Your Work – If you are considering living near the Ball State area, please visit the following link to learn more about relocation and living in east central Indiana:https://www.bsu.edu/about/live-near-your-workThere’s more to discover IN Indiana! Visit the following link to learn more:IN Indiana

Appointment TypeNon-Tenure-track/ContractLength of AppointmentFT Academic YearDescriptionThe School of Art invites applications for an Assistant Teaching Professor of Animation beginning August 2025.

• Instructional load will include all levels of course work:
• ART 150 Drawing for Animators
• ART 210 Introduction to 3D
• ART 211 Traditional Animation
• ART 311 3D Modeling, Texturing, Lighting, and Rendering
• ART 312 3D Animation, Rigging, and Simulation
• ART 313 Animation: Specialty
• ART 314 Experimental Techniques
• ART 315 Character Design
• ART 319 Compositing and Motion Graphics
• Other teaching duties based on programmatic need and the expertise of the faculty hired individual may be assigned, including advanced courses in Animation Production, Illustration, Game Art/Design, and/or Visual Effects

Additional responsibilities include:

• Demonstrated commitment to student success initiatives, including mentorship and curricular innovation
• Special projects and events (exhibitions/festivals, community events and workshops, student/alumni engagement, etc.)
• Service to the School of Art, College of Fine Arts, and university
• Minimum Qualifications
• MFA in Animation or related field from an accredited institution by date of appointment OR:
• Five years of documented industry experience in Animation or related field.
• Authorization to work in the USCandidates for searches must have current authorization to be employed in the U.S. without employer sponsorship.Preferred Qualifications
• Eight months (one academic year) of teaching experience at the college level
• Expertise in Autodesk Maya, Substance 3D Painter, Zbrush, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe After Effects, and/or Unreal Engine

Required Certifications/LicensuresPre-Employment ScreeningRequires successful completion of a background check and education verification. Position Title(s) SupervisedNone.

EEO StatementBall State University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer that is strongly and actively committed to diversity within its community. Women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and protected veterans are strongly encouraged to apply. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status or any other legally protected status.

DepartmentSchool of Art:600020College/Department InformationDepartment Email or Phone Number765-285-5838

Posting Detail Information

Posting Number202401387FNumber of Vacancies1Desired Start Date08/11/2025Position End DatePosting Date11/05/2024Applications Accepted Through DateOpen Until FilledYesConsideration Date: to ensure full consideration, applications must be received by the date indicated here. (Applications will continue to be accepted after the full consideration date, until a sufficient applicant pool has been achieved or the position is filled. The closing date is subject to change without notice to applicants.)01/03/2025Information regarding transcriptsThe option to upload transcripts is available. Original, official transcripts showing the highest related degree earned is required at the time of hire (even if obtained at BSU). Degree verification will be conducted.Special Instructions SummaryPlease include in the Required Applicant Documents section:

• Cover letter
• Curriculum vitae (including a URL of applicant’s website, if applicable)
• Syllabi for an introductory Animation course and an upper-level course in the candidate’s area of expertise
• Portfolio of up to 10 images of applicant’s creative work (saved as a single PDF with links to time-based work). If document size exceeds 10 MB, a link to portfolio may be provided
• Under the “Other” document, a Portfolio of up to 10 images of student projects (saved as a single PDF with links to time-based work). If document size exceeds 10 MB, a link to portfolio may be provided

Information for Applications Requiring a Cover LetterIn support of your application for this position, please prepare and submit a cover letter that describes how your qualifications and experiences align with the elements of the position description (or leadership profile). In your cover letter, please also describe how you have demonstrated a commitment to our University’s enduring values, including inclusiveness, which we define as a commitment ‘to respect and embrace equity, inclusion, and diversity in people, ideas, and opinions.’

Search Committee Chair Name and Contact InformationJohn Ludwick

jbludwick@bsu.edu

Read Full Description