The Opportunity
The Film and Media Production Management programs at the University of Central Florida (UCF) invite applications for a full-time, nine-month, tenure-earning assistant professor position, anticipated to begin in August 2024.
We seek scholars or practitioners of film, television, visual effects, or related disciplines whose work engages social, creative, or discipline-relevant issues and encourages and challenges students to increase critical fluency in various film and media forms. Candidates must show strong potential for a sustained scholarship or creative production with a demonstrated record of publications or creative work at the regional or national levels. This position requires the ability to teach multidisciplinary, hands-on production skills. Applicants whose professional experience is limited to screenwriting or producing will not be considered.
The ideal candidate will have both a research interest and professional experience making creative work in a virtual production environment. We are looking for media makers experienced in both the industrial and independent budget paradigms and who have directed a variety of creative projects, including films, studio television programs, sports broadcasts, music videos, and commercials. Candidates must be able to work with our undergraduate and graduate students on their post-production processes involving both conventional nonlinear editing and virtual production/visual effects.
The ideal candidate will show potential to teach graduate courses by providing evidence of experience in having previously taught graduate courses, or specialized or upper-level undergraduate courses. Candidates should have strong communication skills and experience in collaborating on academic initiatives with colleagues or peers. We are especially interested in individuals who can contribute through their research, teaching and service to the diversity and excellence of our academic community and foster an environment in which faculty, staff, and students from a variety of backgrounds, cultures and personal experiences are welcomed and can thrive.
The UCF Film and Mass Media degrees require courses that provide students with both a theoretical/critical studies foundation and an applied knowledge of film and media production and business practices.
The Nicholson School of Communication and Media (NSCM) is a large, student-centered school with a collegial and friendly faculty and staff. NSCM strives to be a premier academic program known for excellence in research, teaching and service to students and the community. The NSCM Film and Mass Media program offers a B.A. in film production that emphasizes collaborative skills in filmmaking, a B.F.A. in film production that emphasizes creative directorial skills (limited access), and an M.F.A. in feature film production that offers students creative opportunities in fiction, nonfiction, or experimental cinematic modes. In addition to the Film degrees, the Film and Mass Media program includes journalism and media production management (formerly radio-television) degrees. For more information, visit https://communication.ucf.edu.
The College of Sciences (COS) houses most of the university’s natural, computational, and social sciences in eight departments, two schools, and several centers. The college’s programs play a key role in advancing UCF as a national research university that is determined to help students from all backgrounds achieve success. For more information, visit https://sciences.ucf.edu.
UCF is one of the nation’s largest universities, with a diverse student body of approximately 69,000 students and one of the few universities to receive the Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) designation. UCF has grown substantially in size, quality, diversity, and reputation in its first 50 years. Today, the university offers more than 240 degree programs. UCF is an economic engine, attracting and supporting industries vital to the region’s future while providing students with real-world experiences that help them succeed after graduation. For more information, visit https://www.ucf.edu.
Minimum Qualifications:
- An M.F.A. or doctorate in film production, media production, or a closely related applied field from an accredited institution with evidence of scholarly accomplishment is required by the time of hire.
- In addition, applicants must provide evidence of experience as an instructor of record in teaching at an accredited institution of higher learning, with a demonstrated ability to teach classes in foundational and advanced film production, a grasp of academic responsibilities, and demonstrated potential for active university service by the time of hire.
- Applicants must be able to document their creative work in film or media using the tools required for virtual production, such as Unreal Engine, Maya, Tracking Cameras, LED Volumes, etc.
- This position requires the demonstrated ability to teach multidisciplinary, hands-on production skills.
Applicants whose professional experience is limited to screenwriting or producing will not be considered.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Research interest and professional experience making creative work in a virtual production environment.
- Film industry experience in cinematography, post-production, and or visual effects.
- Experience in both industrial and independent microbudget paradigms.
- Ability to work with undergraduate and graduate students on the post-production processes involving both conventional nonlinear editing and virtual production/visual effects.
- Graduate teaching experience or specialized upper-level undergraduate teaching experience.
- Strong communication skills.
- Evidence of collaborative work on academic initiatives.
Additional Application Materials Required:
UCF requires all applications and supporting documents to be submitted electronically through the Human Resources employment opportunities website: https://www.ucf.edu/jobs/. In addition to the online application, interested candidates should upload the following:
- A letter of application that includes examples of diversity and inclusion initiatives in teaching or creative work.
- A curriculum vitae that includes teaching experience and exhibition record.
- A teaching philosophy statement of no more than 300 words that addresses the ability to teach using different delivery modes, including online and large classes.
- Two or three examples of creative work (specifying your role(s) in the work).
- A reference list of three academic or professional names and contact information, not reference letters.
NOTE: Please have all documents ready when applying so they can be simultaneously uploaded. Once the online submission process is finalized, the system does not allow applicants to submit additional documents later.
The selected candidate will be required to submit official transcripts (and, as applicable, U.S. degree equivalency evaluations) documenting the conferral of their qualifying academic credentials.
Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.
Questions regarding this search should be directed to: Debbie Doyle, Human Resources Generalist, at debbie.doyle@ucf.edu.