Assistant Professor of Animation

Job Description

Champlain College seeks a highly experienced animation artist-educator to join our faculty as an Assistant Professor within the BFA in Animation. The successful candidate will teach a wide range of courses related to 2D and 3D animation, bringing extensive industry experience and deep expertise in animation production workflows. As an entrepreneurial, market‑driven institution, Champlain's academic programs respond to industry dynamics. The College particularly values industry and practical experience for its faculty.

We are seeking a collaborative faculty member capable of teaching introductory to advanced animation courses while contributing to interdisciplinary partnerships across other majors. Faculty members develop industry connections, mentor students, and contribute to Champlain College's creative community through service activities supporting the program and the College's mission. Central to this role is a genuine commitment to fostering a thriving animation community, one where students of all backgrounds feel welcome, supported, and inspired to grow alongside one another.

• Teach and develop curriculum:
  Deliver four courses per semester across the animation pipeline, from foundational principles through advanced performance and experimental techniques; develop and refine rigorous industry‑informed curriculum covering 2D & 3D fundamentals, character animation and performance, body mechanics, concept art, VFX and real‑time animation, experimental and stop‑motion animation, figure drawing, cinematography, and advanced seminars.
• Apply strong command of visual storytelling and cinematography to help students understand not just how to animate, but how to direct the eye, build tension, and tell a story through composition, camera, and movement.
• Integrate contemporary techniques, hybrid workflows, and emerging technologies into course content.
• Design hands‑on learning experiences that translate theory into professional practice.

• Actively nurture an inclusive animation community within the program, fostering a culture where students of all backgrounds feel welcome, engaged, and supported, and where every animator has a voice, a place, and peers to grow alongside.
• Advise students and provide individualized mentorship in animation professional development and career guidance.
• Create a classroom environment that embraces diverse learning styles and builds creative confidence and belonging.
• Supervise student teams and interdisciplinary animation projects.
• Help students navigate the transition from college to industry through portfolio development and professional practice.

• Maintain active connections with the animation and visual effects industry, through freelance work, professional networks, festival involvement, or ongoing personal projects.
• Stay current with evolving industry trends, tools, and techniques, bringing a genuine eagerness to keep learning and carry that energy back into the classroom.
• Serve on college committees and collaborate with faculty across disciplines.
• Contribute to program assessment, recruitment, and outreach initiatives.

• MFA in Animation, Computer Animation, or related field preferred; consideration given to candidates with a bachelor's degree plus significant animation/visual effects industry experience.
• Professional‑level expertise in one or more of the following: 2D Animation, 3D Animation, 3D Modeling/Textures/Lighting, Compositing, Visual Effects, Virtual Production, Visual Storytelling.
• Proficiency in cinematography and visual compositing workflows.
• Comprehensive knowledge of animation and film production pipelines across all stages.
• Technical proficiency with industry‑standard tools such as Toon Boom Harmony, Autodesk Maya, Houdini, Blender, Adobe Creative Suite, Unreal Engine, ZBrush, Nuke, or similar platforms.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills for effective student mentoring.
• College‑level teaching experience preferred.

• Full‑time, in‑person position based at our main campus in Burlington, Vermont.
• Comfortable office environment with…