<p>Assistant Professor in Animation (2D/3D)</p> <p>Location: Lakewood, CO</p> <p>Salary: $65k - $68k per year</p> <p>Application Deadline: Open until filled. Applications received by April 27, 2026 will receive priority consideration.</p> <p>Rocky Mountain College of Art +Design is looking for a Full-Time Professor who has expertise in 2D Animation. The faculty member works with the Chair and Program Lead of the Animation program, working closely with students, faculty, and administrative staff to advance teaching, student clubs and activities, co-curricular experiences, and curriculum development. They will work closely with academic leadership with a focus on teaching, monitoring and improving student learning and success, and performing duties as assigned by the Chair and the Program Lead.</p> <p>RMCAD's Digital Arts + Media Department offers degree programs rooted in industry-aligned practices, emerging technologies, and interdisciplinary collaboration. The successful applicant will have demonstrated expertise in Animation workflows, with an emphasis on character motion studies, performance-based animation, and scene development using Toon Boom Harmony and Autodesk Maya. This includes both 2D animation pipelines (Harmony) and 3D animation pipelines (Maya), with a focus on performance, timing, and production-ready scene work. This position supports the continued design, development, and delivery of dynamic, studio-centered curricula and the advancement of learning outcomes to prepare students for leadership in an evolving digital landscape.</p> <p>Required Qualifications</p> <ul> <li>A graduate degree (MA, MS, MFA, MDes, or equivalent) in Animation, Game Art, Game Design, relevant Motion Graphics, OR a bachelors degree with a sustained record of professional or studio-based work in these areas. </li><li>Proficiency using and teaching industry-leading 2D + 3D Animation software, such as Toon Boom Harmony, Autodesk Maya, Toon Boom Storyboard Pro, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe After Effects, etc </li><li>Examples of pedagogical approaches that align with the institution's mission and values, along with evidence of effective and inclusive teaching that values a diverse student body. </li></ul> <p>Preferred Qualifications</p> <ul> <li>A terminal degree (MFA or PhD) in Art, Design, or a related discipline OR equivalent professional distinction recognized at a national or international level. </li><li>2+ years of teaching experience in an accredited post-secondary institution with proven expertise in teaching Animation or related digital media. </li><li>A sustained record of professional or studio-based work in Animation or related digital media, demonstrated through published short/feature films, series work, studio credits, freelance projects, portfolio, and/or client-based productions. </li><li>Ongoing engagement with contemporary, emerging industry practices and pipelines with demonstrated expertise in 2D and 3D animation production workflows. This includes character animation, scene development, and rigging/puppetry in Toon Boom Harmony, as well as 3D animation workflows in Autodesk Maya. Experience with storyboarding, motion graphics, or visual development pipelines is also valued. </li><li>Professional experience with visual development, including color, lighting, composition, and aesthetic design to support storytelling and animation production pipelines. </li></ul> <p>Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities</p> <ul> <li>Ability to teach and mentor students from a broad range of life experiences and educational paths. </li><li>Demonstrated commitment to serving and respecting all students, staff, and faculty. </li><li>Broad knowledge of the history of art, contemporary art and design. </li><li>Strong interpersonal and communication skills across multiple teaching modalities. </li><li>Ability to work autonomously, taking initiative on tasks, and meeting deadlines. </li><li>Outwardly contribute to a respectful, positive, and professional workspace. </li><li>Interest in emerging trends and technologies in design education and practice. </li></ul> <p>Primary Responsibilities</p> <p>Teaching + Instruction:</p> <ul> <li>Teach a full instructional load as defined by RMCAD and commensurate with rank. </li><li>Hold regular office hours. </li><li>Advise students. </li><li>Participate in and contribute to the development of co-curricular activities. </li><li>Responsibilities include instruction and student engagement across both on campus and online modalities. </li><li>Regularly give feedback and critiques with a combination of in person and/or online written and video formats. </li><li>Courses taught in this role are in the Animation and Game Art programs. They include but are not limited to: 2D Animation I - IV (motion studies through advanced scene work, puppetry and rigging in Toon Boom Harmony), 3D Animation I - III (motion studies through advanced scene work in Autodesk Maya), Drawing + Acting for Animation, Introduction to Animated Storytelling, Storyboarding (Storyboard Pro), Animation Layout and Production Design, Motion Graphics (After Effects) </li><li>Maintain a high standard of teaching effectiveness as evident by student evaluations, retention, and other pedagogical metrics. </li></ul> <p>Service to the Department:</p> <ul> <li>Support the Institutional Mission, Vision, and Value Statements, and the Department Mission. </li><li>Participate in institutional and Academic Division committees, program reviews, academic assessment, curriculum revision, and/or course development as needed. </li><li>Attend college events, meetings, and training sessions as determined by the Academic leadership and/or the Department Chair. </li><li>Engage with community organizations and associations that further and promote RMCAD. </li></ul> <p>Scholarship + Creative Work</p> <ul> <li>Maintain a practice of scholarship, professional achievement, and ongoing professional/creative research. </li><li>Contribute discipline-based, interdisciplinary, and multidisciplinary scholarship that advances knowledge and learning by producing new ideas and understandings (examples can include but are not limited to peer-reviewed articles, guest speaker events and presentations). </li><li>Produce and exhibit creative works. </li></ul> <p>Note: This position is on campus, requiring faculty to be on the Lakewood, CO campus as required by senior leadership at RMCAD.</p> <p>About RMCAD</p> <p>Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design (RMCAD) is an innovative, rigorous, and community-oriented global learning environment that inspires passion for critical thinking and prepares learners to be forces of change in the creative industries, our communities, and the world. RMCAD was established in 1963 by Philip J. Steele, who had a vision to provide students with a quality higher education in art and design. RMCAD continues to experience growth since its comparatively modest beginnings and now thrives on a lush, historic campus including more than 23 acres of land and 16 buildings. We are also pioneers in the online learning environment for art and design. RMCAD currently has over 2,000 students enrolled.</p> <p>RMCAD is dedicated to living its mission and values, specifically that "Our students come first." The college continuously works with faculty and staff towards developing an evolving student-ready paradigm. RMCAD is dedicated to diversity and inclusion and maintains a policy of inclusiveness that recognizes values and reflects the diversity of the community it serves. The college fosters a dynamic learning and working environment that encourages multiple perspectives and the free exchange of ideas. We welcome people from a multitude of backgrounds who are committed to creativity, academic excellence, societal and cultural evolution and betterment, civility, mutual respect, social justice, and the free and open exchange of ideas.</p> <p>Our Benefits:</p> <ul> <li>Time Off Package including paid vacation, sick and holidays </li><li>Flexible Spending Account (FSA) </li><li>Medical, Dental, & Vision Insurance </li><li>Basic Life & AD&D </li><li>Short & Long Term Disability </li><li>401k employer match </li><li>Tuition Assistance </li><li>Other Voluntary Benefits Offered </li></ul> <p>Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design is an Equal Opportunity Employer</p>