Careers at United States International University - USIU Africa

Role Summary

To deliver teaching, research, mentorship, and academic service in sound engineering, film audio production, and related fields. The role emphasizes technical mastery, creative practice, and integration of emerging technologies to strengthen USIU-Africa’s leadership in cinematic arts education.

Key Responsibilities

• Teaching Excellence
  • Teach undergraduate and postgraduate courses in sound engineering, film audio production, and post-production sound design.
  • Incorporate studio-based learning, live recording, and industry-standard workflows.
  • Develop blended and online teaching materials using advanced e-learning platforms.
• Research & Scholarship
  • Conduct research in sound design, immersive audio (Dolby Atmos, binaural sound), and film soundscapes.
  • Publish in peer-reviewed journals and present at international conferences.
  • Engage in creative practice research, producing soundtracks, audio installations, or experimental sound projects.
• Student Supervision & Mentorship
  • Supervise undergraduate projects, postgraduate theses, and dissertations in sound engineering and film audio.
  • Provide career guidance, portfolio development, and industry mentorship.
  • Support student participation in film festivals, competitions, and collaborative productions.
• Curriculum Development & Quality Assurance
  • Contribute to curriculum design and benchmarking against leading global programs (e.g., USC School of Cinematic Arts, NYU Tisch, Berklee College of Music).
  • Integrate emerging technologies such as spatial audio, AI-driven sound editing, and interactive media soundscapes.
  • Participate in accreditation, review, and continuous improvement processes.
• Academic & Community Service
  • Serve on departmental committees and contribute to university governance.
  • Lead workshops, masterclasses, and community engagement initiatives in sound and film.
  • Build partnerships with studios, broadcasters, and creative hubs to enhance student opportunities.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Sound Engineering, Audio Production, Film Production, Music Technology, or related field.
• Minimum of three (3) years of university-level teaching experience.
• At least 24 publication points (16 in refereed journals) per CUE Standards (2014), or equivalent peer-reviewed creative portfolio/industry awards.
• Registration with relevant professional body (where applicable).

Preferred Qualifications (Global Benchmark)

• PhD in Sound Studies, Film Production, or Audio Technology.
• Demonstrated international research collaborations and funded projects.
• Experience in curriculum development aligned with AES (Audio Engineering Society) and film school standards.
• Industry experience in film sound production, post-production, or immersive audio technologies.

Required Competencies

• Proficiency with Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs): Pro Tools, Logic Pro, Ableton Live, Reaper.
• Expertise in sound recording and mixing: studio, field, and live environments.
• Strong understanding of film sound pipelines: dialogue editing, Foley, ADR, sound effects, and final mix.
• Ability to integrate emerging technologies (spatial audio, VR/AR sound, AI-assisted editing) into teaching.
• Effective communication, supervision, and mentorship skills.
• Commitment to ethical practice, diversity, and inclusive pedagogy.

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Role Summary

To deliver teaching, practice-led research, student supervision, and academic service in cinematography and visual storytelling. The role emphasizes technical mastery, creative authorship, and integration of emerging technologies to prepare graduates for careers in film, television, streaming, commercials, and immersive media.

Key Responsibilities

Teaching and Learning

• Teach undergraduate and postgraduate courses in cinematography, camera operation, lighting design, lensing, colour science, and visual storytelling.
• Design project-based modules with studio labs, set-based shoots, and location exercises that replicate professional production pipelines.
• Develop blended and online learning resources including shot breakdowns, lighting diagrams, camera tests, and remote dailies review.
• Define clear learning outcomes and rubrics for technical competence, creative decision-making, and collaborative production.

Practical Production Leadership

• Lead cinematography for student productions, ensuring technical standards and creative mentorship.
• Manage teaching equipment including cinema cameras, lenses, lighting packages, grip, and monitoring systems.
• Establish and enforce safety, rigging, and on-set protocols for studio and location shoots.

Research and Creative Practice

• Conduct practice-led research in cinematography, colour science, virtual production, computational imaging, or related areas.
• Produce creative outputs such as short films, cinematography showreels, technical papers, or industry reports.
• Pursue external funding and industry partnerships for research, equipment, and student opportunities.

Student Supervision and Mentorship

• Supervise final projects, theses, and professional portfolios.
• Mentor students in career development, festival strategy, showreel curation, and industry networking.
• Facilitate internships, placements, and collaborative projects with directors, editors, and post houses.

Curriculum Development and Quality Assurance

• Lead curriculum design and periodic review to align with global best practice and industry standards.
• Integrate emerging technologies such as virtual production, HDR workflows, and computational cinematography.
• Contribute to accreditation, assessment design, and continuous improvement processes.

Academic and Community Service

• Serve on departmental committees and contribute to SCCCA’s strategic planning.
• Deliver masterclasses, public screenings, and community outreach to raise the School’s profile.
• Build partnerships with production companies, rental houses, festivals, and equipment manufacturers.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Cinematography, Film Production, Cinematic Arts, Digital Imaging, or related field.
• Minimum three years of university-level teaching experience or equivalent professional training experience.
• Demonstrable creative or scholarly output equivalent to at least 24 publication points (16 in refereed outlets) per CUE standards, or a peer-reviewed professional portfolio of high-quality industry credits, awards, or consultancies.
• Professional registration or membership with relevant bodies where applicable.

Preferred Qualifications (Global Benchmark)

• PhD or practice-based doctorate in Cinematography, Film Studies, or Media Technology.
• Extensive industry credits as Director of Photography, camera operator, or lighting designer on feature films, TV drama, commercials, or streaming productions.
• Experience with virtual production workflows (LED volume, real-time compositing, camera tracking).
• Track record of funded research, international collaborations, or festival-recognised creative work.

Required Competencies and Technical Skills

• Camera Systems and Optics: Knowledge of cinema cameras, sensor characteristics, lens choices, anamorphic/spherical optics, and support systems.
• Lighting and Grip: Mastery of lighting design, fixtures, control systems, colour temperature management, and rigging.
• Colour Science and Post Workflow: Proficiency in RAW workflows, LUTs, colour grading pipelines, ACES, and collaboration with colourists.
• Virtual Production: Familiarity with LED volumes, real-time engines, HDR monitoring, and camera tracking.
• Production Management: Ability to plan shoots, manage budgets, and coordinate cross-disciplinary crews.
• Pedagogy and Assessment: Competence in project-based learning, formative feedback, and inclusive teaching practices.
• Collaboration and Communication: Strong interpersonal skills for directing on-set teams and mentoring students.

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Role Summary

To provide world-class teaching, research, mentorship, and academic service in gaming, animation, and interactive digital media. The role emphasizes curriculum innovation, industry collaboration, and integration of emerging technologies to position USIU-Africa as a leader in creative media education.

Key Responsibilities

• Teaching Excellence
  • Deliver undergraduate and postgraduate courses in gaming, animation, XR, and interactive media.
  • Incorporate project-based learning, studio practice, and industry-standard workflows.
  • Develop blended and online teaching materials using advanced e-learning platforms.
• Research & Scholarship
  • Conduct cutting-edge research in gaming, XR, animation, and digital storytelling.
  • Publish in high-impact journals and present at international conferences.
  • Engage in creative practice research, producing games, prototypes, or interactive installations.
• Student Supervision & Mentorship
  • Supervise undergraduate projects, postgraduate theses, and dissertations.
  • Provide career guidance, portfolio development, and industry mentorship.
  • Foster student participation in competitions, festivals, and hackathons.
• Curriculum Development & Quality Assurance
  • Contribute to curriculum design, benchmarking against leading global programs.
  • Integrate emerging technologies (AI in gaming, VR/AR, gamification) into teaching.
  • Participate in accreditation, review, and continuous improvement processes.
• Academic & Community Service
  • Serve on departmental committees and contribute to university governance.
  • Lead workshops, masterclasses, and community engagement initiatives.
  • Build partnerships with industry, NGOs, and creative hubs to enhance student opportunities.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Game Development, Interactive Media, 3D Animation, Computer Graphics, or related field.
• Minimum of three (3) years of university-level teaching experience.
• At least 24 publication points (16 in refereed journals) per CUE Standards (2014), or equivalent peer-reviewed creative portfolio/industry awards.
• Registration with relevant professional body (where applicable).

Preferred Qualifcations

• PhD in Game Studies, Interactive Media, or Digital Arts.
• Demonstrated international research collaborations and funded projects.
• Experience in curriculum development aligned with ACM/IGDA guidelines for game education.
• Industry experience in AAA or indie game production, XR development, or serious games.

Required Competencies

• Proficiency with game engines: Unity, Unreal Engine, Godot.
• Expertise in 3D production tools: Blender, Maya, Houdini, or equivalent.
• Strong understanding of game design pipelines, animation workflows, and digital production.
• Ability to integrate emerging technologies (XR, AI, procedural generation) into teaching.
• Effective communication, supervision, and mentorship skills.
• Commitment to ethical practice, diversity, and inclusive pedagogy.

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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.