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California State University, Bakersfield · 2 weeks ago

Assistant Professor of Communications (Digital Media)

Bakersfield, CA

Full-time

Onsite

Mid Level

$75K/yr - $80K/yr

California State University, Bakersfield is a regional, comprehensive university serving the southern San Joaquin Valley of California. They are seeking an Assistant Professor of Communications with a focus on Digital Media, specifically Game Design and 3D Animation, to teach and mentor students while contributing to the department's creative research initiatives.

EducationHigher EducationUniversities

No H1B

Responsibilities

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

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

Qualification

Game Design3D AnimationGame EnginesProduction PipelinesTeaching SkillsCreative ResearchDiversity CommitmentCommunicationMentoring Students

Required

M.F.A., D.F.A. or Arts/Practice PhD degree in game design, animation, media arts or a closely related field

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)

Extensive experience with real-world and hands-on production with one or more of the following: 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))

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

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

Teaching and/or professional experience in game design and 3D animation