Full-time Faculty in Game Design (Special Contract)

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Special Contract Faculty, AY 2026

Position: Full-time Faculty in Game Design (Special Contract Appointment)

Reports to: Area Head for Game Design/Chair of the Department of Animation and Media Arts

The Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) invites applications for a special contract full-time faculty position in the Game Design program within the Animation and Media Arts Department. MICA is a private art and design college nationally known for the high quality of its undergraduate programs, its dedication to student learning and teaching excellence, and its distinction in fine art and design at national and international levels. This is a faculty position with a one-year special contract with the potential for renewal for up to 3 years at a non-tenure institution. The preferred start date is August 2025.

Job Description:

Join the Game Design program at MICA, where we approach games from a unique perspective that can only be found at an art and design college. Our program explores the design and development of games, how they are used to entertain, educate, and create meaning, and the role of play in culture.

Game Design faculty teach 3 courses per semester, ranging from foundational non-digital game design courses to technical video game development courses using the Unity game engine. In addition, full-time faculty members at MICA participate in departmental and institution-wide committee service, and are expected to maintain an ongoing professional practice in the world of games or play.

We welcome applicants from a broad spectrum of creative disciplines related to games, from commercial AAA and independent game development, to experimental interdisciplinary art practices which explore/use/interrogate games. Regardless of the discipline, we are interested in applicants who are excited to work with an innovative new generation of game designers and media artists, and who can draw on their professional work to create engaging and effective educational experiences for our students.

MICA and the Game Design program are committed to enriching our faculty and pedagogical viewpoints. Candidates who demonstrate a commitment to forwarding the College's goals are encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities Include:

• Teaching six undergraduate studio classes per academic year, (3 Fall, 3 Spring).
• Partner with Game Design Area Head on curriculum development.
• Participation in departmental and institutional service.
• Student advising.

Minimum Qualifications:

• BFA or BA in Game Design, Game Development, or a related field.
• Active professional practice in one or more of the following areas:
  • Commercial or indie game development.
  • 3D modeling, technical art, or visual effects for games.
  • Game-related artistic or experimental work.
• Comprehensive experience developing games with Unity and coding in C#.
• Strong portfolio of work showcasing expertise in contemporary game design and development.
• Ability to teach across the Game Design curriculum, including introductory non-digital game design courses as well as technical video game development courses.
• Demonstrated interest in teaching, with preference for candidates with prior experience in college-level instruction, workshop leadership, or tutorial production related to games.

Preferred Qualifications (Not Required but Highly Valued):

• MFA or equivalent advanced degree in a related field.
• Industry experience with commercial or indie game development.
• Experience teaching in a related field at the college level.
• Ability to teach across areas within the Animation and Media Arts Department.
• Experience in 3D modeling using Blender or Maya, or technical art of visual effects production for games.
• Proficiency with Unreal Engine 5 and Blueprints.
• Experience with immersive technologies such as VR or AR.
• Background in narrative design for games.
• History of collaboration on projects that integrate game design with varied industries.

Additional Information:

This is a one-year full-time faculty appointment that may be renewed for up to three years. The faculty are represented by the SEIU Local 500.

Salary: Commensurate with experience and college policy ranging from $56,246 to 146,325. Excellent benefits package.

Apply: The College will review applications as received. The position will remain open until filled. All inquiries, nominations, and applications will be held in the strictest confidence.

*Applications MUST be initiated via the MICA website. During your application on MICA's website, you will be redirected to Slideroom to upload supporting materials as directed below. After you have uploaded your materials on Slideroom, please complete your application on MICA's website.

Slideroom: You will be asked to login or create a login and submit one multi-page PDF document.

The multi-page PDF document should include:

• A letter of application
• Comprehensive CV
• A portfolio consisting of 10 professional work samples
• Names and contact information including address, phone, and email for three references
• Please format the PDF document for screen resolution and viewing. No physical media are requested and sent materials will not be returned.

Conditions of Employment:

• Conditions: Satisfactory Background Check

Physical demands and work environment: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Physical Demands: While performing the duties of a job, the employee is occasionally required to stand, walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; balance; stoop; talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift up to (amt) pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. (may be adjusted depending on position)
• Work environment: While performing the duties of the job, the employee is exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time. The noise level in the work environment is usually (minimal, moderate, or high).
• Required training: Handbook orientation, Anti-Harassment, Hazard Communication, Emergency Plans & Fire Prevention, Personal Protection Equipment. (additional training may be added, SEE: EHS Manager training schedule)

Maryland Institute College of Art is committed to its policy of providing equal opportunity regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, age, disability, or veteran status (disabled, Vietnam-era, or otherwise). Furthermore, the College does not tolerate any form of sex discrimination, including sexual harassment or sexual violence. This policy applies to all programs, facilities, and activities provided by Maryland Institute College of Art, including but not limited to admission, educational programs, and employment.

Applicants must apply online for each job in which they are interested. You will not be considered for any job for which you have not specifically applied. We do not accept applications via email, U.S. mail, or fax. Successful candidates for any staff or faculty positions will be subject to a pre-employment background check.

MICA provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities on a case-by-case basis. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please contact Human Resources at 410-225-2363.