Lecturer / Assistant Professor Lecturer In 3D Animation at United States International University - USIU Africa

Role Summary

The Department of Cinematic Arts at USIU-Africa invites applications for a full-time faculty position in 3D Animation. The successful candidate will teach introductory to advanced 3D courses, supervise student projects, contribute to curriculum development, and support the department’s production and research activities. The role emphasizes practical, hands-on instruction using industry-standard tools and workflows, and aims to prepare students for careers in animation, motion graphics, and related creative industries across Africa and the rest of the world.

Key Responsibilities

• Teaching: Deliver practical, project-based courses in 3D animation covering polygon modelling, UV unwrapping, texturing, basic rigging, lighting, and rendering using Autodesk Maya.
• Curriculum Development: Design and update course materials, syllabi, and assessment rubrics that align with industry standards and local context.
• Student Supervision: Guide students through project development, critiques, technical troubleshooting, and portfolio preparation.
• Assessment: Evaluate student work and provide clear, constructive technical feedback that supports learning outcomes.
• Production Pipeline Oversight: Teach and demonstrate the end-to-end 3D production pipeline from modelling to final render and presentation outputs.
• Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration: Integrate 2D animation and motion graphics concepts into 3D workflows and collaborate with colleagues across film, sound, and game design.
• Industry Engagement: Foster links with industry partners, support internships, and, where appropriate, contribute to commercial or community-facing production projects.
• Academic Service: Participate in departmental meetings, student recruitment, outreach, and quality assurance activities.

Required Qualifications

• Degree: A PhD in Animation or a Master’s degree in Animation, Digital Media, or a closely related field.
• Technical Proficiency: Demonstrable proficiency in Autodesk Maya, including polygon modelling, UV unwrapping, texturing, basic rigging, lighting, and rendering.
• Teaching Experience: Experience teaching or tutoring 3D animation or related subjects, with evidence of practical, hands-on course delivery.
• Production Knowledge: Clear understanding of the 3D production pipeline and basic rendering workflows and presentation outputs.
• Assessment Skills: Ability to assess student work and provide actionable technical feedback.
• Communication: Strong verbal and written communication skills in English.

Preferred Qualifications and Experience

• Industry Experience: Professional or studio experience in animation, motion graphics, or related production environments.
• 2D Background: Background in 2D animation and motion graphics with the ability to relate 3D concepts to 2D workflows.
• Software Breadth: Familiarity with complementary tools (e.g., Substance Painter, Arnold/RenderMan/Redshift, After Effects, Unreal Engine) is an advantage.
• Research and Supervision: Experience supervising undergraduate or postgraduate projects and contributing to applied research or creative practice.
• Contextual Awareness: Experience working in African higher-education contexts or with local creative industries.

Skills and Competencies

• Technical: Strong understanding of 3D modelling principles, clean topology, and efficient workflows.
• Pedagogical: Ability to design practical assignments and scaffold learning from introductory to intermediate levels.
• Problem Solving: Aptitude for diagnosing technical issues and guiding students through solutions.
• Collaboration: Team player who can work across disciplines and with external partners.
• Student-Centred: Commitment to inclusive teaching practices and mentorship.

Teaching Load and Assessment Expectations

• Teaching Load: Typically, 3 courses per semester, including lectures, labs, and supervision of practical projects.
• Assessment: Mix of project-based assessments, portfolios, presentations, and written reflections.
• Professional Development: Expectation to engage in continuous professional development and to contribute to departmental training workshops.