Assistant Professor, School of Creative Technologies

Title: Assistant Professor, School of Creative Technologies
Employee Classification: Asst Professor
Division Name: Academic Affairs
College/Unit: Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts
Department: School of Creative Technologies
Campus Location: Normal, IL

The Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts at Illinois State University invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track Assistant Professor position, beginning August 2025. The successful candidate will join a dynamic team of interdisciplinary faculty and teach on-campus courses within the newly formed School of Creative Technologies. ISU is a Carnegie R2 institution that values both teaching and research.

We seek candidates that are collaborative and possess a robust teaching, research, and creative-scholarly agenda in creative technologies, broadly defined. Responsibilities include effective undergraduate and graduate teaching, creative-scholarly research and publication in the appropriate field, and service including but not limited to committee work, departmental activities, recruitment, and curriculum development. Most Creative Technologies faculty have interdisciplinary expertise and may teach classes in other areas within the Creative Technologies major.

Areas of focus for this position could include, but are not limited to, virtual/ augmented/extended reality (VR/AR/XR), simulation, artificial intelligence (AI), user interface/user experience (UI/UX), 3D modeling, industrial design, graphics programming, game development and production, creative coding, projection mapping, sound design, and related theory and pedagogy. An ideal candidate leverages technical skills within their work to enhance our collective offerings of creative technologies courses, exploring how these technologies impact our lived experience, such as through activism, art, learning, accessibility, and more.

Because the School is in its foundational stages, we are seeking candidates who can quickly adapt, be flexible in terms of workload distribution, and serve as founding members of the School. We seek candidates that can teach a range of courses, such as Game Engine Development, Virtual/Augmented/Mixed Reality, Game AI, 3D Modeling, Simulation Development, UI/UX, Production Pipelines, as well as advanced courses aligned with research interests. Candidates for this position must be comfortable teaching cross-disciplinary courses to both undergraduate and graduate students.

We seek candidates that possess an emerging or established interdisciplinary research agenda that can be or is already focused on integrating VR/AR/XR into fields such as healthcare, engineering, education, business and insurance, and the applied sciences, with a current record of (or potential for a future) sponsored research, government contracts, or corporate sponsorships.

The position is a nine-month, tenure track appointment with the possibility of summer teaching. The locus of annual evaluation, tenure, and promotion in rank will be in the School of Creative Technologies.

University Benefit Highlights:
- Insurance benefits , including health, dental, vision, and life
- Retirement and supplemental retirement planning options
- Tuition waiver benefits available to staff as well as their eligible dependents
- Paid holiday/administrative closures during Thanksgiving and Winter Breaks
- Paid benefit time
For more University Benefit information: https://hr.illinoisstate.edu/benefits/
Information regarding eligibility for participation in the State Universities Retirement System and the State of Illinois Group Insurance program can be reviewed here https://hr.illinoisstate.edu/benefits/insurance/.

The Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts at Illinois State University is dedicated to the goal of building a culturally diverse and pluralistic faculty and student body committed to teaching and working in multicultural environments. ISU recognizes that a diverse faculty, staff, and student body enriches the educational experiences of the entire campus and greater community. Candidates who have experience working with a range of faculty, staff, and students, and who can contribute to the culture of openness, belonging, and mutual support are especially welcome to apply.

The School: The interdisciplinary School of Creative Technologies emphasizes design and practice in the integration of digital technologies and the fine arts. In addition to foundational study across the fine arts, the major provides training and experiences across a range of creative/technical fields including video, sound, electronic music, music production, gaming, motion graphics, interactivity, AR/VR, UI/UX, mobile, web, and computer programming concepts. Creative Technologies offers BA, BS, and MS degrees. Undergraduate majors can currently choose from three distinctive paths:
1. Sequence in Interdisciplinary Technologies - blending multimedia, technology, and fine arts training aimed at creative professional environments and the entertainment industry, along with developing the aesthetics, artistry, and technical skills of individuals looking for a broad range of career options.
2. Sequence in Game Design - integrating technical and creative capabilities, intentional design thinking, and player-centric awareness to craft engaging analog, 2D, and 3D games. This sequence equips students with the skills to develop immersive gaming experiences, while preparing them for a wide array of careers within the game and related industries. [SA1] [DS2] [CG3]
3. Sequence in Audio and Music Production - cultivating expertise in sound engineering, sound design & composition, and audio technology to prepare students for diverse roles in music production, recording, and the broader music industry.

The College: The Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts includes the School of Creative Technologies, the Wonsook Kim School of Art, the School of Music, and the School of Theatre, Dance, and Film -all of which have a rich and varied curriculum including drawing, animation, video, music composition, music business, voice acting, fight choreography, dance and movement, performance, production and lighting design, and text/script analysis.

Illinois State University: IllinoisState.edu , was founded in 1857 as Illinois' first public university. We enroll approximately 21,000 students in six colleges. Our new strategic plan, Excellence by Design: 2024-2029, lists our seven core values: Excellence in Teaching, Learning, and Scholarship; Individualized Attention; Equity, Diversity, Access, and Belonging; Collaboration; Community and Civic Engagement; Respect; and Integrity. By acting on these values, we create a learning environment that results in our university being the first-choice public university in Illinois for high-achieving, motivated students who seek an individualized educational experience combined with the resources of a large university. Learn more about Illinois State's Metrics of Excellence at IllinoisState.edu/PointsofPride.

Bloomington-Normal Community: Illinois State University is located in the growing twin cities of Bloomington and Normal, with a metro population of approximately 172,000. The community is also home to Illinois Wesleyan University, Heartland Community College, St. Joseph Medical Center, Carle BroMenn Medical Center, COUNTRY Financial, State Farm Insurance's International Headquarters, Central Illinois Regional Airport, and electric truck manufacturer Rivian Motors. The community has distinguished itself for its outstanding school systems, and its citizens' high level of educational attainment, as well as its parks and recreation, health care, vibrant fine arts scene, job growth, economic opportunity, historic sites, and low crime rates. Bloomington made Livability's top 100 Best Places to Live (2024) and ranked No. 3 on College Values Online's list of Best Small College Towns in America (2024). Bloomington-Normal is conveniently located about three hours from Indianapolis; two hours from both Chicago and St. Louis; and an hour from Peoria, Champaign-Urbana, Decatur, and Springfield. Many of these locations are accessible from Bloomington-Normal via Amtrak, which is located one block from Illinois State's campus. For more information on our community, visit visitbn.org

$64,000-$72,000

1. Appropriate terminal degree or ABD or international equivalent in the candidate's field of study, with the degree completed no later than the second year of hire.
2. An established or emerging body of creative-scholarly work that can extend creative technologies beyond disciplinary boundaries.
3. A proven track record of effectively organizing and delivering cross-disciplinary courses to both undergraduate and graduate students.
4. Ability to effectively organize and deliver instructional content.
5. The ability to demonstrate oral proficiency in the English language as a requirement for this position, as mandated by state law.

Varies

8/16/2025

1. Letter of application
2. Curriculum Vitae
3. A list of three references with contact information
4. Links to your work and, if available, examples of your student's work
5. A 2-3 pages statement describing your teaching and research/creative philosophy
6. A 1-2 pages statement demonstrating your commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion in teaching, research, and/or service (service can be both within the university or in the larger community)

Please Note: These documents are required to be submitted online in order to complete the application process. Please have these documents ready prior to clicking on "Apply"

Initial review of applications begins November 30, 2024 , and continues until the position is filled.

Jody Decremer
Assistant Director, Creative Technologies
decremer@ilstu.edu

This position is subject to a criminal background investigation and if applicable, an employment history review, based on University Policy 3.1.30 and any offer of employment is contingent upon you passing a satisfactory criminal background investigation and/or an employment history review. You may not begin work until the criminal background investigation results have been received and cleared by Human Resources.

Illinois State University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or other state or federal law you may request an accommodation by contacting the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access at (309) 438-3383. The Office of Equal Opportunity and Access will hold any confidential information you provide in confidence.

If you are having difficulty accessing the system, please call Human Resources at (309) 438-8311.