Tenure Track Position in Video Game Design and Development
TheCreativeSchool-RTA Media
| Posted: | February 22, 2023 |
| Deadline to Apply: | Posted until filled |
Located in downtown Toronto, the largest and most culturally diverse city in Canada and on the territory of the Anishinaabeg, Haudenosaunee and the Wendat Peoples, the RTA School of Media in The Creative School at Toronto Metropolitan University [formerly Ryerson University] invites applications for a tenure track position at the rank of Assistant Professor, effective January 1, 2024, subject to final budgetary approval. Applications from those belonging to one or more equity-deserving communities are particularly encouraged, and such candidates are encouraged to self-identify in our Applicant Diversity Self-ID at the time of application.
The School is particularly interested in candidates whose lived experiences can help further advance and shape the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) culture of the School.
The successful candidate will engage in a combination of teaching, scholarly research and creative activities (SRC) focused on video game design and development, and service duties, while maintaining an inclusive, equitable, and collegial work environment across all activities.
The School is looking for candidates who are leaders in their field. The successful candidate will establish a high-impact research program that will include externally funded projects and produce widely disseminated research related to video game design and development. Their contribution is expected to complement and expand existing research within The Creative School. The successful candidate is encouraged to work collaboratively within one of The Creative School’s labs or centres.
Teaching duties will entail teaching courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels, supervising students and developing curriculum focused on gaming design and development. The successful candidate must have the ability to teach RTA867 Game Engines and at least two of the following courses: RTA891 Game Industries and Trends, RTA997 Game Studio, RTA953 Mobility and Mixed Reality, RTA320 Interactive Storytelling or RTA886 Intro to Studio Practice.
The service responsibilities of RTA faculty members include serving on committees (such as curriculum, hiring, admissions, or EDI) and participating in other administrative activities related to the School’s undergraduate and graduate programs. The candidate will also help to ensure that the School maintains an inclusive, equitable, and collegial environment.
Candidates must demonstrate a legacy of professional practice in video game design and development (including significant experience building interactive 3D experiences in an engine such as Unity, Unreal Engine, Godot, or other equivalent software) and hold at least a Master's degree in Communications, Media or a related field.
The successful candidate must have the following:
- A record of successful and publicly recognised professional creative work involving significant experience building interactive 3D experiences in an engine such as Unreal Engine, Unity, Godot, or other equivalent software.
- Demonstrated hands-on knowledge and expertise in developing interactive 3D experiences, including experience with relevant programming languages, asset creation, and optimisation techniques;
- Proven capacity to synthesize and critically reflect on production practices, issues, and trends in the field of video gaming and 3D interactive experiences;
- A clear potential to produce current, innovative, and impactful research in video gaming. (Impact may be visible in peer-reviewed publications, working papers, public policy contributions, presentations at academic conferences, community-based or professional recognition or honours, grants or research-related awards that contribute to the visibility and prominence of the discipline.);
- Potential for teaching excellence in the undergraduate and graduate gaming curriculum, including the ability to teach interactive production courses (involving 3D development using engines such as Unreal Engine, Unity, Godot, or other equivalent software);
- Experience teaching studio-based and academic courses relating to video games is an asset;
- A commitment to EDI in service, teaching, and SRC activities, including a demonstrated ability to make learning accessible and inclusive for a diverse student population;
- Demonstrated leadership capacity in video gaming, including experience leading the development of interactive 3D experiences;
- Willingness and ability to contribute to the life of the RTA School of Media and the University through collegial service.
Our committee recognises that scholars have varying career paths and that career interruption can be part of an excellent academic record. Candidates are encouraged to provide any relevant information about their experience or career interruptions.
This position falls under the jurisdiction of the Toronto Metropolitan University Faculty Association (TFA, previously RFA) (www.tfanet.ca). The TFA collective agreement can be viewed here, and a summary of TFA benefits can be found here.
Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU)
Serving a highly diverse student population of over 45,000, with 100+ undergraduate and graduate programs built on the integration of theoretical and practical learning and distinguished by a professionally focused curriculum with a strong emphasis on excellence in teaching, research and creative activities, TMU is a vibrant, urban university known for its culture of innovation, entrepreneurship, community engagement and city-building through its award-winning architecture.
Working at TMU
At the intersection of mind and action, TMU is on a transformative path to becoming Canada’s leading comprehensive innovation university. At TMU, we firmly believe that Equity, Diversity and Inclusion are integral to this path; our current Academic Plan outlines each as core values, and we work to embed them in all that we do.
Dedicated to a people-first culture, TMU is proud to have been selected as one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers and Greater Toronto’s Top Employer. We invite you to explore the range of benefits and supports available to faculty and their families, including access to our diverse faculty and staff networks.
Visit us on Twitter: @torontomet, @VPFAtorontomet and @TorontoMetHR, and our LinkedIn company page.
TMU is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. To find out more about legal and policy obligations, please visit the Accessibility and Human Rights websites.
TMU welcomes those who have demonstrated a commitment to upholding the values of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion and will assist us in expanding our capacity for diversity in the broadest sense. In addition, to correct the conditions of disadvantage in employment in Canada, we encourage applications from members of groups that have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples, Indigenous peoples of North America, Black-identified persons, other racialized persons, persons with disabilities, and those who identify as women or 2SLGBTQ+.
How to Apply
Applicants must submit their application online via the Faculty Recruitment Portal by clicking on “Start Application Process” to begin.
For guaranteed consideration, applications consist of the following:
- a letter of application;
- a curriculum vitae;
- a statement of research interests;
- a teaching dossier and results of teaching evaluations;
- an EDI statement; and
- names of three individuals who may be contacted for references.
Review of applications will begin August 15, 2023. The position will remain open until filled.
Please note that all qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian and permanent residents' applications will be prioritized in accordance with Canadian immigration regulations. Candidates must therefore indicate in their application if they are permanent residents or citizens of Canada.
Contacts
Any confidential inquiries about the opportunity can be directed to the Departmental Hiring Committee Chair, Dr Kathleen Pirrie Adams, at kpirrie@torontomu.ca
Indigenous candidates who want to learn more about working at TMU are welcome to contact Tracey King, Miigis Kwe, the Indigenous Human Resources Lead and the Founding Co-Chair of the First Nations, Métis and Inuit Community Group at t26king@torontomu.ca.
Black-identified candidates who wish to learn more about working at TMU are welcome to contact Shurla Charles-Forbes, Black Faculty & Staff Community Network, at shurla.charlesforbes@ryerson.ca.
For any confidential accommodation needs to participate in the recruitment and selection process and/or inquiries regarding accessing the Faculty Recruitment Portal, please contact vpfa@torontomu.ca.
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