Assistant Professor (3D Animation) (0070059)

University of Hawai'i; Honolulu (HI); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Hawai'i invites applications for an Assistant Professor (3D Animation) in the School of Cinematic Arts at Manoa. This 9‑month, tenure‑track position begins Fall 2027, contingent on funding.

Responsibilities include teaching and developing courses in 3D animation, and engaging with industry and community partners. Minimum qualifications include an MFA or equivalent by August 2027, substantial 3D animation work, college teaching experience, and proficiency with Unreal Engine,

Qualifications

• Terminal degree (MFA or equivalent) in Animation, Digital Arts, Film/Media Arts, or closely related field; by August 2027.
• Professional industry experience and accomplishment in 3D animation with projects including 3D animation.
• Experience teaching college level animation classes.
• Knowledge across the 3D animation production pipeline including modeling, texturing, rigging, animation, VFX, lighting, rendering; advanced in one or more areas.
• Proficiency in industry-standard software: Unreal Engine, Maya, Adobe Creative Suite; plus ZBrush, Substance Painter, Cinema 4D.

Responsibilities

• Teach beginning to advanced courses in 3D animation.
• Assist in development and teaching of animation curricular programs.
• Develop creative works or scholarship leading to screenings/presentations.
• Present at national professional conferences/workshops.
• Develop internship opportunities for students.
• Supervise animation labs.
• Contribute to department, university, and community service.
• Advise animation track majors.
• Perform other duties as assigned by Chair.

Skills

3D animation

Teaching collegeLevel

Collaboration

Education

MFA or equivalent

Tools

Unreal Engine

Maya

Adobe Creative Suite

ZBrush

Substance Painter

Cinema 4D

Job description

Posting number: 2026-01806

Department: University of Hawai'i at Manoa - CALL - School of Cinematic Arts

Job classification: ASST PROF, UHM, 9-MO

Posting type: Open

Categories: Higher Education, Arts, Design, Entertainment & Media, Faculty - Fine and Applied Arts

Summary

Title: Assistant Professor (3D Animation)

Position Number: 0070059

Hiring Unit: College of Arts, Languages & Letters, School of Cinematic Arts

Location: Manoa

Date Posted: 08/14/2026

Closing Date: Continuous - application review begins 10/15/2026

Salary Information: Salary commensurate with qualifications and experience

Monthly Type: 9 Month

Tenure Track: Tenure

Full Time/Part Time: Full Time

Temporary/Permanent: Permanent

Other Conditions: Full-time, tenure track position in 3D Animation to begin Fall 2027, pending position clearance and availability of funds.

As Hawai'i’s Film School, School of Cinematic Arts (SCA) is at the forefront of cinematic arts education in the Pacific. Located in Honolulu at the University of Hawai'i at Manoa, SCA is dedicated to academic and creative excellence through its bachelor of arts degree designed to encourage innovation and collaboration with an emphasis on Hawaii, Pacific, and Asia. Focused in the heart of a state with a robust film and television industry, SCA encourages professional development, mentorship and community engagement through a variety of programs, including internships, master classes, and industry screenings. SCA nurtures and empowers students to develop their own unique voice as storytellers. Exploring cinematic arts forms rooted in personal experience and place-based learning through animation, cinema studies, digital cinema production, and screenwriting.

Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Teach beginning to advanced courses in 3D animation;

2. Assist in the development, support, and teaching of a curricular program in animation, stressing multiple theoretical, critical, historical, and technical approaches in the study, design, application, and distribution of animation;

3. Development of creative works or scholarship in your field of specialization, leading to public screenings and presentations;

4. Involvement in and presentations at nationally recognized professional organizations/conferences in your field;

5. Work towards the development of internship opportunities for students;

6. Supervise animation labs;

7. Involvement in service to the department, university, and community;

8. Advise student majors in the animation track; and

9. Other duties as assigned by the Chair.

Minimum Qualifications:

1. Terminal degree (i.e., M.F.A. or equivalent) in Animation, Digital Arts, Film/Media Arts,or closely related field from a college or university of recognized standing (degree must be completed by August 2027);

2. Professional industry experience and accomplishment in 3D animation as demonstrated through the creation, direction, and collaboration of projects that include 3D animation;

3. Experience teaching college level animation classes;

4. Demonstrated knowledge and experience across the 3D animation production pipeline, including pre-visualization, modeling, texturing, rigging, character animation, visual effects (VFX), lighting, and rendering, with advanced expertise in one or more of these areas.

5. Proficiency in industry-standard software suites and specialized applications, including:

   • Unreal Engine, Maya and Adobe Creative Suite

   • ZBrush, Substance Painter, Maxon Cinema 4D or comparable software

6. Demonstrated ability to work effectively and collegially with students, faculty, staff, and administration.

Desirable Qualifications:

1. Proficiency in and knowledge of 2D animation as demonstrated through creative or professional work.

2. Advanced and comprehensive knowledge and understanding of:

   • 2D animation software including but not limited to ToonBoom Harmony, Storyboard Pro, Adobe Creative Suite, or comparable software.

   • Animation history.

3. Experience in community engagement.

Inquiries: Search Committee Chair: Laura Margulies, [e-mail]

Examples of duties

The University of Hawai'i is an Equal Opportunity Institution and is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination in employment, including on the basis of veteran and disability status. For more information, visit: https://www.hawaii.edu/offices/eeo/policies/

Employment is contingent on satisfying employment eligibility verification requirements of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986; reference checks of previous employers; and for certain positions, criminal history record checks.
In accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, annual campus crime statistics for the University of Hawai'i may be viewed at: https://www.hawaii.edu/titleix/help/campus-security/, or a paper copy may be obtained upon request from the respective UH Campus Security or Administrative Services Office.
Accommodation Request: The University of Hawai'i complies with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the EEO coordinator directly. Determination on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. For further information, please refer to the following link: https://www.hawaii.edu/offices/eeo/accommodation-request/