Description
i-DAT is a vibrant open research lab and teaching collective for playful experimentation with creative technology in the School of Art, Design and Architecture, situated within the Faculty of Art & Humanities. It is part of the school of Art, Design and Architecture, which includes connected programmes of study at both undergraduate and postgraduate level such as BA/BSc (Hons) Digital Media Design, BA (Hons) Game Arts and Design and BA (Hons) Virtual Reality Design.
BA/BSc (Hons) Digital Media Design and BA (Hons) Game Arts Design are now well established, the former (running for nearly twenty-five years as Media Lab Arts and more recently Digital Art and Technology) embedding the production of digital media and design within a framework of creative and experimental artistic practice. As an award, BA/BSc (Hons) Digital Media Design includes connected pathways of study – Game design, Interaction design, Information design and Live Media design with exciting new developments in planning.
These programmes also have a rich interaction with MRes Digital Art and Technology and MA Game Design as well as a substantial and established PhD community. They also have strong international connections with the Game Arts Design programme being delivered as a 3+1 at Nanjing University of the Arts and CODEX, an international Postgraduate Research network with Jaingnan University, Nanjing University for the Arts and Soochow University. You will be expected to contribute to this TNE activity.
You will be based within a friendly and dynamic team with plenty of development opportunities and a rich teaching, enterprise and research context. The position is based on the main University campus at the heart of the city of Plymouth. Course facilities include a unique 40 seat, 9m Full Dome digital projection environment and newly built Digital Fabrication and Immersive Media Labs on the ground floor of the Roland Levinsky Building.
We are seeking a Programme Leader for the BA (Hons) Game Arts and Design, and MA Game Design courses. You will manage a staff team, and deliver teaching and research at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, as well as contribute to the ongoing development of the subject group. You will contribute to practical and theoretical teaching and research in: environment, character and technical art; asset production pipelines; design theory; animation, modelling and texturing for 3D environments; storytelling / narrative development and speculative use of contemporary game engines
The position requires someone with academic critical skills combined with practical digital art & technology software, hardware and design experience. You will have HE teaching experience, and will have the necessary technical skills to teach and research in the field of immersive media technologies and their application to art and design practice.
The post will also involve teaching internationally with our TNE partners (e.g. Nanjing University of Arts) and in the UK, as well as input at a postgraduate level. You will contribute to the development and exploitation of digital media resources for research (PhD’s and post-doctoral) and innovation (commercialisation and public engagement) within the i-DAT research group.
You will hold a PhD (or have equivalent professional experience) in a relevant discipline and be able to demonstrate an established research track record and evolving profile appropriate to the role. Experience in supervising masters/doctoral students is desirable. We will also consider applicants with extensive practical or industrial experience in relevant areas.
Accountable to the Associate Professor in Digital Media Design and working closely with the Award leads, you will have strong communication and presentation skills and be expected to lead in curriculum development and course management as required. Key aspects of the role include programme leadership, delivery of teaching / lectures, module leadership, supervision of practical and theoretical study, personal tutoring, assessment and feedback, and maintaining quality of delivery. As part of a team you will contribute to the organisation of educational field trips/visits, visiting lectures, career spines, student work placements, student competitions and end of year shows as required.
You will be responsible for developing and maintaining good working relationships with all stakeholders in the University as well as in industry, to ensure the overall aims of programmes are met. Being highly motivated and an excellent communicator, you will actively contribute to aspects of a university academic position as well as contributing to external profile and recruitment events for the Awards and the School.
Every member of staff at University of Plymouth contributes to delivering the University’s mission to advance knowledge and transform lives through education and research.
At Plymouth, being an outstanding teacher involves being an outstanding scholar, so that delivery enhances the learning environment and contributes to a high-quality student experience. In this role, you will also enhance professional practice in the subject area as appropriate. You will ensure that innovations in learning practice are adopted and that methods of learning and delivery continuously develop, so that the University is at the forefront of teaching practice and innovation.
Please demonstrate how you meet the essential criteria outlined in the knowledge, qualifications, training and experience elements of the job description in your supporting statement.
Please include a PDF portfolio of practice with your application or a link to your personal website.
For an informal discussion to find out more about the role then please contact Andrew Prior by email or the School of Art, Design and Architecture by telephone on (01752) 585 150
Interviews are likely to take place on 29th-31st July and you will be notified if you have been shortlisted or not.
We offer a competitive salary package and a generous pension and holiday scheme. We also offer a range of other benefits, including ongoing development opportunities.
This is a full-time position working 37 hours per week on a permanent basis.
Please note, due to the COVID-19 pandemic the University is currently implementing a number of safety measures as per Government advice therefore the successful applicant may be required to work from home in the first instance.
The University of Plymouth is committed to equality of opportunity, promoting a diverse and inclusive culture, demonstrated through our commitment to the gender equality Athena SWAN Charter and as a Stonewall diversity champion. All applications will be judged solely on merit, however, we particularly welcome applications from groups currently under-represented in the workforce, for example black and minority ethnic groups.
University of Plymouth holds a TEF (Teaching Excellence and Student Outcomes Framework) Silver by the Office for Students.
The School of Art, Design and Architecture holds a Bronze Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment to advance gender equality in higher education.