Assistant Professor of Instruction, Animation (Non-Tenure Earning)

The School of Art & Art History at the University of South Florida (USF) invites applications for a full-time, non-tenure-earning position at the rank of Assistant Professor of Instruction in Animation, with an anticipated start date of August 2026. The successful candidate will teach in support of the Animation and Digital Modeling concentration within the School of Art & Art Design’s BFA in Studio Art.

We are seeking an animator and educator prepared to teach 2D Animation, 3D Animation Fundamentals, Visual Storytelling, and related subjects central to the animation curriculum. Candidates must have a minimum of two (2) years of full-time teaching experience by August 2026. We welcome applicants who demonstrate a wide-ranging understanding of contemporary animation practices and who can support students working across traditional, digital, and emerging animated media.

The successful candidate will teach a 4/4 course load during the fall and spring semesters, with the possibility of course releases for specific service projects. Teaching responsibilities primarily support the Animation and Digital Modeling concentration but may include courses that serve the School’s programs more broadly. Additional duties include participation in school, college, and university service, mentoring students, and contributing to curricular development.

Organizational Summary

The USF School of Art & Art History serves as the visual arts and design educational hub in a dynamic, diverse region of over 3 million residents, with over 600 majors and more than 30 full-time faculty across two campuses (St. Petersburg and Tampa). We offer undergraduate and graduate degrees in studio art, graphic arts, and art history, along with minors and interdisciplinary certificates for non-majors. Located in a vibrant metropolitan setting, our school provides graduate students with exceptional studio space, technical facilities, and opportunities to collaborate with distinguished faculty. We immerse students in visual culture, encouraging critical thinking and a strong sense of citizenship within a global context. Our nationally ranked Master of Fine Arts program fosters creativity and experimentation, offering an environment for students to push boundaries while working with cutting-edge resources. Additionally, the Kennedy Family Artist and Scholar program invites recognized artists and scholars to develop interdisciplinary projects and teach, fostering dialogue and outreach that enrich academic research and community engagement.

As the creative center of the University of South Florida, the College of Design, Art & Performance provides an enriched, creative, and professional environment for tomorrow's leaders in architecture, design, art, art history, dance, music, and theatre. The college is home to the university's arts district, Contemporary Art Museum, Graphicstudio and the Florida Center for Community Design. The college embraces opportunities to embed new and existing arts programming in the rapidly growing regional communities and serves as an integral engine for socioeconomic progress through its research, advocacy, and engagement.

• Teach undergraduate courses in 2D Animation, 3D Animation Fundamentals, Visual Storytelling, and related areas supporting the Animation and Digital Modeling concentration.
• Teach a 4/4 course load, unless course releases are granted for specific service or program responsibilities.
• Contribute to curriculum development across the animation sequence and support School-wide initiatives when needed.
• Provide supervision and mentorship to students, including guidance on large-scale or long-form animation projects and directed studies.
• Engage in School, College, and University service, including participation in committees, reviews, and community outreach.

Minimum Qualifications

• MFA or terminal degree in Animation, Digital Media, Digital Arts, Computer Animation, or a closely related field.
• Minimum of two (2) years of full-time teaching experience at the college level by the start date (August 2026).
• Demonstrated expertise in 2D animation, 3D animation fundamentals, and/or related animated media.
• Experience using contemporary animation tools or pipelines (e.g., Adobe Animate, After Effects, Maya, Blender, or comparable software).
• Evidence of an active creative practice in animation or related digital media.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience teaching a range of animation courses, including story development, visual storytelling, or digital modeling.