Lecturer / Assistant Professor - 3D Animation

Key Responsibilities

• Instruction: Deliver practical, project-based courses in 3D animation, covering polygon modelling, UV unwrapping, texturing, basic rigging, lighting, and rendering using Autodesk Maya.
• Curriculum Design: Design and update course materials, syllabi, and assessment rubrics to align with industry standards and the local context.
• Student Mentorship: Guide students through project development, technical troubleshooting, and portfolio preparation.
• Production Pipeline: Demonstrate the end-to-end 3D production workflow from initial modelling to final render and presentation outputs.
• Collaboration: Integrate 2D animation and motion graphics concepts into 3D workflows and collaborate across disciplines including film and sound design.
• Academic Engagement: Participate in departmental meetings, recruitment, outreach, and quality assurance activities.
• Industry Links: Foster connections with industry partners and support internship placements.

Qualifications and Experience

Required Qualifications:

• A PhD in Animation or a Master’s degree in Animation, Digital Media, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated proficiency in Autodesk Maya, specifically in polygon modelling, UV unwrapping, texturing, basic rigging, lighting, and rendering.
• Experience teaching or tutoring 3D animation with evidence of practical course delivery.
• Clear understanding of 3D production pipelines and basic rendering workflows.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills in English.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Professional studio experience in animation, motion graphics, or related production environments.
• Familiarity with complementary tools such as Substance Painter, Arnold/RenderMan/Redshift, After Effects, or Unreal Engine.
• Experience supervising undergraduate or postgraduate projects and contributing to creative research.
• Background in 2D animation with the ability to relate 3D concepts to 2D workflows.
• Experience working in African higher-education contexts.

Skills and Competencies

• Technical: Strong understanding of 3D modelling principles, clean topology, and efficient workflows.
• Pedagogical: Ability to design practical assignments and scaffold learning from introductory to intermediate levels.
• Problem Solving: Aptitude for diagnosing technical issues and guiding students through solutions.
• Collaboration: Team player capable of working across disciplines and with external partners.

Teaching Load and Expectations

• Typically 3 courses per semester, including lectures, lab sessions, and project supervision.
• Assessment involves project-based work, portfolios, and presentations.
• Expectation to engage in continuous professional development.

How to Apply

Submit your application as a single PDF to jobs-sccca@usiu.ac.ke with the subject line “3D Animation Faculty Application”. Your application must include a cover letter describing your teaching philosophy, a CV with software/production credits, a teaching portfolio with at least two work samples, and contact details for three referees. Applications close at 5.00pm, Friday, April 10, 2026.