Assistant Professor of Immersive Media Technologies

Georgia State University is a national model for innovation and opening opportunities for all, among the top five most innovative by U.S. News & World Report, ranked 1st among public universities in undergraduate teaching, the number 1 nonprofit university to award bachelor's degrees to African American students, 4th in the country for its first-year student experience, and highly ranked for enabling the social and economic mobility of its students. Among the most diverse universities in the nation, Georgia State opens global perspectives as the number 1 U.S. public university sending African American students to study abroad.

A regional gateway to higher education, the five suburban Perimeter College campuses provide more than 30 associate degree pathways. The downtown Atlanta campus offers more than 250 degree programs in 100 fields of study at the undergraduate, graduate and first-professional degree levels.

With five university-wide research centers and numerous centers and institutes at the college and school levels, Georgia State's interdisciplinary, dynamic and productive research enterprises address major health and societal challenges. It is one of only 146 universities with an R1 designation from the Carnegie Foundation, an honor reserved for the nation's most active research institutions. Outgoing research expenditures have doubled in the last decade and topped $1.2 billion over the last six years, an indication of the University's rapid research growth.

Georgia State is vital to the regional economy, with a more than $2.9 billion economic impact, and is also a vital part of Atlanta's vibrant arts and entertainment community, with highly regarded programs in music, art, creative writing and film, the Rialto Center for the Arts, and the Creative Media Industries Institute that contributes to innovation and the workforce for interactive media and media entrepreneurship.

General information on faculty roles and responsibilities can be obtained from the Faculty Handbook https://faculty.gsu.edu/faculty-handbook/ and the Office of Faculty Affairs website https://faculty.gsu.edu/. All faculty at Georgia State are, as part of their essential job duties, expected to: (1) be physically present on-campus as needed to contribute to Georgia State's in-person educational experience, and (2) be able to teach in each of the following instructional modalities - in-person, online, or blended/hybrid - as determined by their Department Chair or Dean.

CMII has been organized as an interdisciplinary unit in the College of Arts and Sciences, for the purpose of developing workforce training to prepare students for work in the media and arts industries, programs in media entrepreneurship, and industry research partnerships. CMII coordinates programs of study in Game Design (BA), Game Development (BS), Media Entrepreneurship ( BIS), and an MFA in Virtual Production & VFX, that enroll roughly 800 students. CMII coordinates work in a new state-of-the-art content creation facility that includes a motion capture main stage ( LED virtual production wall equipped), maker spaces, and audio and digital editing suites.

The Creative Media Industries Institute ( CMII) at Georgia State University seeks an outstanding teacher and researcher to join its multidisciplinary faculty as a tenure-track Assistant Professor of Immersive Media Technologies. The successful candidate should come in with an active research program likely to result in grants and peer-reviewed publications. They will contribute to CMII's growing Game Development, Virtual Production, and Media Entrepreneurship academic programs through teaching, research, and service, and will more broadly connect to research activity focused on emerging technology to create new art forms, foster innovative interactivity, and deepen meaningful human connections through mediated experiences. This role emphasizes the exploration of creative and technical artistry, 3D worldbuilding, simulation design practices, user experience, spatial or human-centered computing, and the integration of AI to reimagine creative possibilities for storytelling, collaboration, and emotional engagement. The successful candidate will have access to an exceptionally rich environment for basic science collaborations, technology development, industry interactions, as well as collaborations with colleagues working in education, the broader social sciences, and the health professions.

This is a tenure-track position with a start date of August 15, 2025. Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience.

* Prior experience teaching as instructor of record at the college/university level, with an emerging track record of mentoring student success outcomes.

MFA or PhD in Animation, Game Development, Media or Film Studies, Computer Science, or a related field at the time of appointment. The terminal degree must have been granted by the start of the fall semester contract cycle.

Demonstrated ability to explore and articulate how AI can create new forms of artistic expression, interactivity, and human connection through mediated technologies.
* Entertainment industry-connected experience in a leading sector, especially film production or postproduction, game design and game development, social media influencing, animation, or audio applications.
* Experience researching and applying emerging technologies/AI in creative workflows, emphasizing its role in fostering new art forms and enhancing the emotional and narrative depth of immersive experiences.
*Proven record of peer-reviewed research publication, creative activity, and/or industry-recognized content creation in animation, VFX, VR/AR, or game development, and a clearly articulated strategy for connecting research to external funding sources.

Advanced knowledge of one or more of the main software packages used by content creators, including some experience in programming (e.g., Unreal Engine, Unity, Premiere, Final Cut Pro, Adobe CS, Maya, Blender, C#, C++, Java).

A criminal background check is required.

Position may require nonstandard hours, including day, evening, online, hybrid, and weekend.

Dr. David Cheshier
Director of Academic Programs
Creative Media Industries Institute
College of Arts & Sciences / College of the Arts
Georgia State University
Atlanta GA 30303

dcheshier@gsu.edu

Applicants should submit 1) a cover letter that describes teaching expertise, research focus, the ability to work with GSU's undergraduate and graduate students, and any interest or experience in outreach and service in campus, professional, or wider communities; 2) curriculum vitae and 3) research statement/portfolio.

Reference letters requested at on campus interview.

Georgia State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or pregnancy), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or protected veteran status in its programs, services, activities, employment, and/or admissions. Additionally, the University promotes equal employment opportunity for women, minorities, persons with disabilities and veterans through its affirmative action program.

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning, as well the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at
https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.