Assistant Professor – Game Design

Assistant Professor – Game Design

Appointment Type: Faculty

Job Description:
Summary of Duties and Responsibilities:
College of Design at Iowa State University is seeking a dynamic and innovative individual to join our faculty as a tenure-track Assistant Professor of Game Design, to contribute to the development of a cross-college, cross-department Game Design undergraduate degree program. This position offers an exciting opportunity to shape the future of the newly implemented game design program while contributing to the growth and success of our institution.

The successful candidate will develop and teach a variety of courses in game design, development, theory, and related subjects at the undergraduate level, ensuring alignment with industry standards and emerging trends. We encourage applicants with scholarly activities related to (but are not limited to) character design and animation for game engines. The successful candidate will work with other diverse cross-disciplinary faculty including faculty from departments of Art and Visual Culture, Graphic Design, Community and Regional Planning, History, Religious Studies, Computer Science, Software Engineering, Business, and Music.

The exciting new game design program is the outcome of a partnership between the College of Design and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. The program plans to offer a Bachelor of Science in Game Design that integrates three focus areas of:

1. Art and Interactive Media Design


2. Game Computing


3. Game Worlds, Narrative Design, and Society.

The program will emphasize team-based learning across many disciplines and close collaboration with industry partners.

The credentials of the selected candidate will be considered to determine the proper home department for faculty rank status in one of the following academic departments in the College of Design:

• Architecture


• Art and Visual Culture (AVC)


• Community and Regional Planning (CRP)


• Graphic Design


• Industrial Design

ISU is responsive to the needs of dual-career couples, is dedicated to work-life balance through an array of policies, and is an NSF ADVANCE institution.

Required Minimum Qualifications:

• A terminal degree (MFA, PhD or equivalent) in game design, interactive media, digital arts, graphic design, or a related field.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Expertise developing 2D/3D assets, including 2D/3D characters, for game engines


• Experience with interdisciplinary collaboration and the integration of game design principles across different fields.


• Knowledge of emerging technologies and platforms in game design, including virtual reality, mobile gaming, etc.


• Evidence or promise of a strong publication record


• Experience publishing digital and/or analog games


• Professional experience in the game industry and/or teaching experience in game design

Preliminary Program Information: https://iowastatedaily.com/283566/news/exploring-game-design-major/

Proposed Start Date: August 16, 2025
Number of Months Employed Per Year: 09 Month Work Period
Time Type: Full time

Application Instructions:
Please apply online at https://isu.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/IowaStateJobs/job/Ames-IA/Assistant-Professor---Game-Design_R14823

To receive full consideration, applications should be received by October 18th, 2024. All interested, qualified persons must apply for this position online at http://www.jobs.iastate.edu/ to Job Requisition Number R14823.

The following documents are required to be submitted in PDF format:

1. Cover Letter


2. Curriculum Vitae


3. Research statement (max. 2 pages)


4. Portfolio showing professional work. Identify and Include student work if available.


5. Contact Information for three references

Why Choose ISU?
Our Iowa State Employees enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental; as well as:

• Retirement benefits, including defined benefit and defined contribution plans;


• Generous leave plans;


• Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa);


• Life insurance and long-term disability;


• Flexible Spending Accounts;


• Various voluntary benefits and discounts;


• Employee Assistance Program;


• Wellbeing program.

Job Requisition Number: R14823

About Us
By focusing on the future and providing the best student experience possible, Iowa State attracts students and faculty who want to make a difference. With a comprehensive?land-grant?mission of education, research, extension and outreach, we produce scholars whose ideas change the world. And through Innovate at Iowa State, we provide innovative and entrepreneurial opportunities for students of all backgrounds. Located just 30 minutes north of Des Moines, the city of Ames was recently named one of the Top 10 cities in the U.S. for campus life and career opportunities.

Iowa State University is a welcoming, global, and culturally diverse community of students, faculty, and staff. Campus community members have a wide range of backgrounds and experiences and are committed to engaging with each other respectfully as outlined in the university's Principles of Community. Iowa State recognizes that diverse intellectual and philosophical perspectives are vital to innovation, critical thinking skills, and a dynamic academic community that fosters the land-grant ideals of putting science, technology, and human creativity to work.

All offers of employment, oral and written, are contingent upon the university’s verification of credentials and other information required by federal and state law, ISU policies/procedures, and may include the completion of a background check and/or a consumer credit check.

Iowa State University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, marital status, disability, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against. Inquiries can be directed to the Office of Equal Opportunity, 3410 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, 515 294-7612, email eooffice@iastate.edu.