Description

Assistant Professor, Games and Interactive Media

The Opportunity

The Nicholson School of Communication and Media (NSCM) in the College of Sciences (COS) at the University of Central Florida (UCF) invites applications for an assistant professor with Games and Interactive Media, anticipated to begin in August 2025. This job is a 9-month, tenure-track position.

The selected candidate will contribute to the mission of the Games and Interactive Media (GaIM) program by teaching graduate and / or undergraduate courses, doing research/creative work, providing services related to games and interactive media, and participating in school and university services, including committee work. The successful candidate may be expected to teach in different modalities including face-to-face and online. The ideal candidate will demonstrate creativity in the use of immersive technologies and a desire to share that knowledge in teaching and mentoring students. Furthermore, we are looking for a highly collaborative individual keen to develop partnerships across the university, from the Florida Interactive Entertainment Academy (FIEA) and the Modeling and Simulation programs to many other UCF “Space U” programs, open to the candidate’s imagination and interpretation.

Other typical responsibilities include providing appropriate service in student advising (academic and career) and actively participating in the school's academic life. This includes attending faculty meetings, graduations, and assessing student learning. These activities are integral to our commitment to student success and academic excellence. External service expectations may include work with appropriate academic bodies and professional organizations.

Additionally, we are especially interested in a candidate who can contribute through their research, teaching and service to the excellence of our academic community and foster an environment in which faculty, staff, and students from a variety of backgrounds, cultures and personal experiences are welcomed and can thrive.

The UCF Nicholson School of Communication and Media’s undergraduate Games and Interactive Media program (GaIM) is strategically located a few miles north of Disney and Universal Studios and about 45 miles west of NASA Space Coast. UCF opened the NSCM/GaIM Maker Space in November 2019 at the UCF Downtown campus next to EA Sports. The Maker Space is designed for games and interactive media research, including traditional games, mixed reality (augmented and virtual), physical computing, and web/mobile creation and UI/UX research. It is outfitted, among many other items, with several high-performance gaming computers, multiple VR equipment, computers for use with the headsets, and eye-tracking equipment. Our program aims to create innovative research at this intersection of entertainment, science, and technology to educate the next generation of graduates to be able to design, develop, and evaluate innovative immersive media experiences, stories, and applications and to enrich the human experience broadly. We value excellence in collaborative game development as well as creative research that goes beyond traditional entertainment. The Digital Media graduate program is selective and focuses on developing each student’s studio project or thesis. The 2024 Princeton Review ranked the GaIMs undergraduate program 5th worldwide.

NSCM is a student-centered school with a collegial and friendly faculty and staff. We strive to be a premier academic program known for excellence in research, teaching, and service to students and the community. Our students are active in internships and organizations on and off campus, making a significant impact on the local and global community. The curriculum emphasizes the theoretical and applied aspects of the field and encourages diversity in all aspects of communication. NSCM currently offers eight baccalaureates, four master’s degree programs, and a Ph.D. program in strategic communication. For more information about the school and its GaIM programs, visit https://communication.ucf.edu and https://communication.ucf.edu/games-and-interactive-media.

UCF is one of the most innovative public universities in the nation, as named by the U.S. News & World Report. UCF is a leading, metropolitan, research-intensive university with over 68,000 students. As part of our comprehensive traditional benefits, UCF offers support for expectant mothers, paid parental leave for both parents, on-site pre-school, and professional development and leadership training for all faculty at all career stages. The university offers more than 240- degree programs. UCF is an economic engine, attracting and supporting industries vital to the region’s future while providing students with real-world experiences that help them succeed after graduation. For more information, visit http://www.ucf.edu.

The UCF College of Sciences (COS) houses most of the university’s natural, computational, and social sciences in ten departments and schools, and several centers. Seven departments hold national rankings for best graduate programs. The college’s programs play a key role in advancing UCF as a national research university that is determined to help students from all backgrounds achieve success. For more information, visit https://sciences.ucf.edu.

Minimum Qualifications:

A PhD in computer science or a related degree in games and interactive media or an appropriate discipline such as information science (AI), software engineering, modeling and simulation, immersive digital media (AR/VR/XR), or game engine programming, from an accredited institution by the start of employment.

Must have some teaching or training experience, formal or informal (e.g., tutoring, teaching workshops, creating tutorial videos, etc.).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Expertise in AI, industry-standard game engines (Unreal Engine desired), APIs, Plug-ins, and programming is highly desired.
• Must have excellent communication and organizational skills and the ability to work effectively in a collaborative educational environment with faculty, students, and
• Experience or ability to teach game development and programming courses at undergraduate levels.
• Experience or ability to teach in different modalities, including face-to-face and

Additional Application Materials Required:

UCF requires all applications and supporting documents to be submitted electronically through the Human Resources website, https://www.ucf.edu/jobs. In addition to the online application, interested candidates should upload the following:

• A letter of application (cover letter) indicating how you are prepared to join the faculty at
• A curriculum vitae (CV) or professional resume highlighting teaching/training and professional experience.
• Research statement and portfolio (e.g., publications and/or links to games or applications developed).
• Teaching statement and portfolio if available (e.g., class syllabi, example assignments, and student perceptions surveys).
• A list with contact information (phone and email) for three (3) professional references (please do not submit a letter of recommendation).

The selected candidate will be required to submit official transcripts (and, as applicable, U.S. degree equivalency evaluations) documenting the conferral of their qualifying academic credentials.

Note: Please have all documents ready when applying so they can be simultaneously uploaded. Once the online submission process is finalized, the system does not allow applicants to submit additional documents later.

Questions regarding this search should be directed to Dr. Maria Harrington, Search Committee Chair, maria.harrington@ucf.edu.

Job Close Date:

Open until filled.

Note to applicants: Please keep in mind that a job posted as ‘Open until filled’ may close at any time without notice. As such, we encourage you to submit your application and all required documentation as quickly as possible to ensure consideration for the posted position.

Are you ready to unleash YOUR potential?

As a next-generation public research university and Forbes-ranked top employer in Florida, we are a community of thinkers, doers, creators, innovators, healers, and leaders striving to create broader prosperity and help shape a better future. No matter what your role is, when you join Knight Nation, you’ll play an integral role at one of the most impactful universities in the country. You’ll be met with opportunities to connect and collaborate with talented faculty, staff, and students across 13 colleges and multiple campuses, engaging in impactful work that makes a positive difference. Your time at UCF will provide you with many meaningful opportunities to grow; you’ll work alongside talented colleagues on complex projects that will challenge you and help you gain new skills, and you’ll have countless rewarding experiences that go well beyond a paycheck.

Working at UCF has its perks! UCF offers:

• Benefit packages, including Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Flexible Spending,

and Employee Assistance Program.

• Paid time off, including annual (12-month faculty) and sick time off and paid
• Retirement savings
• Employee discounts, including tickets to many Orlando
• Education
• Flexible work
• And more…For more benefits information, view the UCF Employee Benefits Guide click here.

Unless explicitly stated on the job posting, it is UCF’s expectation that an employee of UCF will reside in Florida as of the date the employment begins.

Additional Requirements related to Research Positions:

Pursuant to Florida State Statute 1010.35, prior to offering employment to certain individuals in research-related positions, UCF is required to conduct additional screening. Applicants subject to additional screening include any citizen of a foreign country who is not a permanent resident of the U.S., or who is a citizen or permanent resident but is affiliated with or has had at least 1 year of education, employment, or training in China, Cuba, Iran, Russia, North Korea, Syria, or Venezuela.

The additional screening requirements only apply to research-related positions, including, but not limited to faculty, graduate positions, individuals compensated by research grants or contract funds, post-doctoral positions, undergraduate positions, visiting assistant professors, and visiting research associates.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

The University of Central Florida is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer including Disabled/Vets. Click on UCF's Equal Opportunity Statement to view the President’s Statement.

The UCF affirmative action plans for qualified individuals with disabilities and protected Veterans are available for inspection in the Office of Institutional Equity, Monday through Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., upon request.

As a Florida public university, UCF makes all application materials and selection procedures available to the public upon request.

The University of Central Florida is proud to be a smoke-free campus and an E-Verify employer.