TT Assistant Professor position in Digital Film/Video

https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/15789

The University of Connecticut (UConn) is pleased to invite applications for a tenure-track faculty position in the Department of Digital Media & Design (DMD) in the School of Fine Arts specializing in Digital Film/Video Production at the rank of Assistant Professor.

Our ideal candidate has significant professional experience in media production, with a preferred focus in documentary form and an interest in emerging, time-based storytelling practice, including mobile and social media, immersive and emergent technologies, installation art, and/or distribution platforms. Additional experience in sound design, color grading, distribution, and/or client-based video production are a plus. The department values non-fiction from a variety of perspectives, including human rights / social justice, anthropological, environmental, and cinema verité through short, feature, and episodic approaches. Acknowledging a lack of diversity in the film industry, DMD embraces an inclusive environment and is particularly interested in receiving applications from members of under-represented groups and strongly encourages women, persons of color, LGBTQ and gender-nonconforming individuals to apply.

The successful candidate will be expected to contribute to research and scholarship through extramural funding, high quality publications, impact as measured through citations, performances and exhibits, and national recognition such as honorific awards. In the area of teaching, the successful candidate will share a deep commitment to effective instruction at the undergraduate and graduate levels, innovative courses and instruction methods, and mentoring of students in research, outreach, and professional development. Successful candidates will also be expected to broaden participation among members of under-represented groups; demonstrate through research, teaching, and/or public engagement the richness of diversity in the learning experience; integrate multicultural experiences into instructional methods and research tools; and provide leadership in developing pedagogical techniques designed to meet the needs of diverse learning styles and intellectual interests. Candidates will also be expected to participate in departmental and university service to support curricular and program development and advise undergraduate and graduate students in the department.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The successful candidate will teach existing and create new documentary-oriented courses including courses in non-fiction storytelling, production, editing, and new forms of digital media. They will also have a role in developing curriculum, facilities, and outreach initiatives for our new Digital Film/Video Production concentration, which was established this fall. The successful candidate will be expected to maintain an active creative research agenda that indicates high likelihood of future success at the national and international levels consistent with a tenure-track position.

The position has a 2/3 teaching load, comprised of five 3-credit courses per year – at all levels of Film/Video Production, from freshman to senior capstone to graduate courses – as well as additional independent studies, supervised internships, and student advising. The candidate is also expected to participate in service activities for the department, college, and university. Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Terminal Degree (MFA or Ph.D.) in Film, Video, Art, Digital Media, New Media, Communications, or other appropriate fields. Equivalent foreign degrees are acceptable.
At least 3 years of professional short and/or feature documentary film / video production experience (broadcast, theatrical, exhibition, and/or film festivals).
Demonstrated teaching experience (may include TA, guest lecture, master classes, etc.)
A strong artistic portfolio.
Expertise in NLE video editing software such as Premiere Pro, Avid, DaVinci Resolve and experience with other Adobe Creative Cloud software (After Effects, Photoshop, Audition, etc.)
Ability to contribute to the diversity and excellence of the learning experience through innovative research, teaching, and public engagement.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

At least 3 years of university teaching experience, with demonstrated ability to teach at various levels of curriculum from foundation to advanced.
Demonstrated leadership in curriculum / course development in documentary film production.
Demonstrated proficiency in a variety of production processes, including producing, planning, research methods, scheduling, lighting, sound recording, supervising, and delivery.
Knowledge of other forms of time-based media (e.g., animation, motion graphics, etc.) and an interest in social media and how it challenges the traditional way that an audience engages with visual content.

APPOINTMENT TERMS

This is a full-time, 9-month, tenure-track position with an anticipated start date of August 23, 2020. The successful candidate’s primary academic appointment will be at the Storrs campus with the possibility of travel to regional campuses on occasion. Faculty may also be asked to teach at one of UConn’s regional campuses as part of their ordinary workload.

TO APPLY

Please apply online to Academic Jobs Online (https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/15789) and submit the following application materials.

A cover letter specifically addressing your credentials relative to the minimum and preferred qualifications listed above,
A complete Curriculum vitae,
A digital portfolio of personal artwork with 3-5 films highlighted; and 3-5 student work samples, if available;
A one to two-page research and scholarship statement (innovative concepts that will form the basis of academic career, experience in proposal development, mentorship of graduate students, etc.);
A statement of teaching philosophy (including teaching philosophy, teaching experience, commitment to effective learning, concepts for new course development, etc.);
A one-page commitment to diversity statement (including broadening participation, integrating multicultural experiences in instruction and research and pedagogical techniques to meet the needs of diverse learning styles, etc.);
Names and contact information for three references.
Evaluation of applicants will begin January 15, 2020 and will continue until filled. If you have questions related to the search, please send a detailed inquiry to Stacy Webb,
Administrative Assistant for the Department of Digital Media & Design, at stacy.webb@uconn.edu, with #494185 DIGITAL FILM/VIDEO FACULTY SEARCH in the subject line. For more information regarding the Department of Digital Media & Design, visit http://dmd.uconn.edu. At the University of Connecticut, our commitment to excellence is complemented by our commitment to building a culturally diverse community.

Employment of the successful candidate is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background check.

This position will be filled subject the budgetary approval.

All employees are subject to adherence to the State Code of Ethics which may be found at http://www.ct.gov/ethics/site/default.asp.

The University of Connecticut is committed to building and supporting a multicultural and diverse community of students, faculty and staff. The diversity of students, faculty and staff continues to increase, as does the number of honors students, valedictorians and salutatorians who consistently make UConn their top choice. More than 100 research centers and institutes serve the University’s teaching, research, diversity, and outreach missions, leading to UConn’s ranking as one of the nation’s top research universities. UConn’s faculty and staff are the critical link to fostering and expanding our vibrant, multicultural and diverse University community. As an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity employer, UConn encourages applications from women, veterans, people with disabilities and members of traditionally underrepresented populations.

About

Founded in 1881, the UConn is a Land Grant and Sea Grant institution and member of the Space Grant Consortium. It is the state’s flagship institution of higher education and includes a main campus in Storrs, CT, four regional campuses throughout the state, and 13 Schools and Colleges, including a Law School in Hartford, and Medical and Dental Schools at the UConn Health campus in Farmington. The University has approximately 10,000 faculty and staff and 32,000 students, including nearly 24,000 undergraduates and over 8,000 graduate and professional students. UConn is a Carnegie Foundation R1 (highest research activity) institution, among the top 25 public universities in the nation. Through research, teaching, service, and outreach, UConn embraces diversity and cultivates leadership, integrity, and engaged citizenship in its students, faculty, staff, and alumni. UConn promotes the health and well-being of citizens by enhancing the social, economic, cultural, and natural environments of the state and beyond. The University serves as a beacon of academic and research excellence as well as a center for innovation and social service to communities. UConn is a leader in many scholarly, research, and innovation areas. Today, the path forward includes exciting opportunities and notable challenges. Record numbers of undergraduate applications and support for student success have enabled the University to become extraordinarily selective.

The Digital Media & Design (DMD) department is a uniquely interdisciplinary academic unit led by faculty from the fine arts, business, STEM, and humanities fields. Established in 2013, this innovative and evolving department currently has 20 full-time faculty members, 320 undergraduate and 14 graduate students (MFA and MA) and offers BFA and BA degrees in the following concentrations: Digital Film/Video Production (BFA), 3D Animation (BFA), Motion Design & Animation (BFA), Game Design (BFA), Web / Interactive Media Design (BFA), Digital Culture, Learning, & Advocacy (BA), and Digital Media Business Strategies (BA)

All of our concentrations place a strong emphasis on collaboration and experiential learning, best preparing our students for the challenges they may face when working in industry. The department has established strong working partnerships with large and small companies, start-ups, public institutions and charitable nonprofits, giving students hands-on, real-world opportunities that benefit the creative economy of the state.