Assistant Professor

Position Function:

The Department of Art at Mississippi State University invites applications for a full-time tenure track faculty position in Foundations, with additional illustration and/or animation classes. Candidates will report to the Head of the Department of Art and teach a 3/3 course load comprised of courses in Foundations and Illustration and/or Animation. The successful candidate, in collaboration with other faculty, will provide a strategic vision to further develop our animation and illustration curriculum. As part of a leading public, land-grant, research institution, a successful candidate will demonstrate a commitment to excellence in research, teaching, and service. In addition to their teaching duties, the candidate will be expected to maintain an active body of creative research and pursue exhibition, publication, and/or industry opportunities at the national level. Service responsibilities include student advising and departmental, college, and university-wide committee appointments. The anticipated start date for this position is Fall 2025.

Salary Grade:  UC

For salary grade UC, these positions are "Unclassified" and salary ranges are determined by the hiring department.

Department Profile:

Since its establishment in 1968, the Department of Art has grown to become Mississippi’s largest undergraduate Bachelor of Fine Arts program. We provide dynamic, hands-on studio instruction in the areas of graphic design, photography, and fine arts — covering ceramics, drawing, painting, printmaking, and sculpture. By balancing in-depth studio experiences with thorough art history, theory, & criticism, our students benefit from an immersive and rigorous learning environment. Our accomplished faculty lead inspiring and innovative courses in global contemporary art, video art, typography, furniture making, life drawing, among many other advanced techniques and topics. In addition to preparing students for professions in the fields of fine arts, graphic design, and photography, we are committed to fostering a collaborative and creative culture. We actively position the Department of Art in the service of the University, the community, and the region through our innovative gallery programming, a student-led design agency, and contributions to local public art. http://caad.msstate.edu

Recently, the College of Architecture, Art and Design has developed a flexible, interdisciplinary Bachelor of Arts degree designed to integrate the disciplines of our four units: Architecture, Art, Interior Design, and Building Construction Science. We have also welcomed several new faculty to the Department of Art who specialize in digital and multimedia processes. These changes reflect our dedication to keeping our program relevant and technologically current. As we expand our existing coursework in digital design, animation, digital painting, digital fabrication, and other media-based arts, we look forward to bringing on new talent. Ambitious artists and designers are invited to contribute to this dynamic period of growth and opportunity!

Area of Specialization:

Illustration - Animation

Anticipated Appointment Date:

August 16, 2025

Tenure Track Status:

Tenure-Track

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Teach drawing, 2D design, and digital design courses in accordance with Foundations curriculum.
• In addition to foundations courses, develop and teach courses relating to skill and expertise in illustration and/or animation. Possible course topics include digital tools and media, 2D animation, 3D animation, and digital illustration.
• Maintain an active body of creative research and exhibition activities or equivalent commercial, client-based work.
• Advise students and serve on undergraduate thesis committees.
• Help maintain drawing/design studios and equipment.
• Serve on departmental, college, and university-wide committees.

Minimum Qualifications:

• MFA or equivalent terminal degree by time of appointment.
• Familiarity with traditional drawing and design processes, methods, and materials.
• Proficiency with a variety of digital processes relevant to illustration and animation.
• Knowledge of the illustration and animation fields.
• A record of professional activity, including creative research, exhibitions, publications, and/or industry experience.
• Evidence of teaching experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• A distinguished academic and/or professional record of illustration and/or animation work at the national or international level.
• Teaching excelle