Assistant Professor in Games and Human Values

Utah; Salt Lake City (UT); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Utah invites applications for a tenure-line Assistant Professor in Games, focusing on games and human values, to begin July 1, 2027. The successful candidate will build an externally recognized program, teach undergraduate and graduate courses, and collaborate with the Division, Philosophy, computing, and other colleges.

The ideal candidate will advance research in aesthetics and the philosophy of games, mentor students, and contribute to curriculum development across the

Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent terminal degree in philosophy, aesthetics, or related field by start date.
• Broad knowledge of games as a medium and of game development practice to teach across curricula on Salt Lake City campus.
• Demonstrated depth of expertise in games and human values, aesthetics, and philosophy of games.
• Evidence of research productivity appropriate to career stage and progression.
• Commitment to teaching and mentoring undergraduate and graduate students.
• Potential to contribute to university and professional service.

Responsibilities

• Teach undergraduate and graduate courses on games, including aesthetics, ethics, philosophy of games, and/or critical play.
• Mentor graduate students and collaborate with Division leadership to strengthen the study of games as a cultural and human practice across the curriculum.
• Develop externally recognized research programs and engage with related departments and partners.

Skills

Game studies

Aesthetics of games

Philosophy of games

Teaching experience

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Research productivity

Education

PhD in philosophy or aesthetics

Job description

Assistant Professor in Games and Human Values

Details

The Division of Games at the University of Utah invites applications for a tenure-line Assistant Professor in Games, with a focus on games and human values, to begin July 1, 2027.

This hire is part of the PRESS PLAY Initiative (https://games.utah.edu/pressplay/), a $25 million, multi-year investment by the University of Utah in the faculty, facilities, and programs of the Division of Games. PRESS PLAY is growing both our teaching faculty and our research faculty, and new colleagues will help shape the next stage of games education and research at the U.

We seek a scholar whose research examines the nature and value of games and play. We are especially interested in candidates working in the aesthetics and philosophy of games: the ontology of games, the value of play in individual and social contexts, and how games relate to other art forms, including digital and interactive art. Relevant approaches include aesthetics and the philosophy of art from the analytic tradition that complement our existing strengths in that area.

The successful candidate will build an externally recognized research program and will teach undergraduate and graduate courses on games, which may include topics in aesthetics, ethics, the philosophy of games, and/or critical play. They will mentor graduate students and work with Division leadership and faculty to strengthen the study of games as a cultural and human practice across our curriculum. We welcome candidates whose work connects with our collaborative efforts with the Department of Philosophy, the Kahlert School of Computing, the College of Fine Arts, the other units within the College of Architecture and Planning, or the University’s planned Institute for Digital Experience.

Necessary Qualifications

• A PhD or equivalent terminal degree in philosophy, aesthetics, or a related field related to the philosophy of games, by the start date
• Broad knowledge of games as a medium and of game development practice, sufficient to teach in-person courses across the Division’s undergraduate and graduate curricula on the Salt Lake City campus
• Demonstrated depth of expertise in games and human values, the aesthetics of games, and the philosophy of games
• Evidence of research productivity appropriate to career stage and progression, such as publications in leading games, philosophy, or aesthetics venues
• Demonstrated commitment to teaching and/or mentoring undergraduate and graduate students in lectures, seminars, and/or studio simulations
• Demonstrated potential to contribute to university and professional service, such as collaborative curriculum development, outreach to local industry and government partners, or recruitment

Preferred Qualifications

• Research in the aesthetics of games, the philosophy of art, the nature of play and interactivity, or the value of games
• An understanding of game development practice, or experience making games
• Experience using games as objects of critical analysis in the classroom
• Ability to develop new courses in emerging areas of games scholarship

About the Division

The Division of Games, in the College of Architecture + Planning, is a world leader in games education, with consistently top-ranked programs at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. The Utah Games faculty includes artists, philosophers, games studies scholars, designers, and computer scientists who collectively work together on the mission to push the boundaries of what is possible in games. This plurality of backgrounds is one of the core elements within our identity. We strongly value inter- and transdisciplinary approaches to research and education, and seek to foster collaboration across the University of Utah. Currently, our faculty sustain ongoing collaborations with other departments within our College of Architecture and Planning, as well as the School of Medicine, the Colleges of Education, Humanities, Science and Engineering, and other campus partners. The University of Utah has remarkable strengths between the Division of Games and the Department of Philosophy targeting scholarship in the philosophy of games. Additionally, we maintain strong collaborations with the vibrant local game development community and other significant game industry-wide partners.

About the College of Architecture and Planning

The University of Utah College of Architecture and Planning (CA+P) is a community of award-winning faculty, entrepreneurial students, and support staff that together form a creative community unlike any other. The College is home to four academic units: the School of Architecture, the Department of City and Metropolitan Planning, the Division of Games, and the Division of Multi-Disciplinary Design, and multiple research centers and collaboratives.

Across these units are top-ranked academic programs, outstanding researchers with a strong commitment to addressing defining issues of our time, and a record of unsurpassed societal impact. As part of a campus that values innovation and interdisciplinarity, the College is transforming its disciplines and training graduates to become leaders and changemakers in the built and virtual environments globally. More information is available at cap.utah.edu.

About the University of Utah

The University of Utah is a Carnegie Research I institution located in Salt Lake City, nestled in the breathtaking foothills of the Wasatch Mountains. With thriving arts and culinary scenes, and an exploding high technology sector, Salt Lake City offers a unique mix of urban life juxtaposed with access to remarkable national parks, ski resorts, hiking and climbing, and more, just minutes away from campus.

City: Salt Lake City, UT

Track: Tenure Track

The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education.

Veterans' preference is extended to qualified applicants, upon request and consistent with University policy and Utah state law. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities.

Consistent with state and federal law, the University of Utah does not discriminate based upon race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, or protected veteran's status. The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and 34 CFR part 106. The requirement not to discriminate in education programs or activities extends to admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and its regulations may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, to the Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, or both.

To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability or if you or someone you know has experienced discrimination or sexual misconduct including sexual harassment, you may contact the Director/Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX (OEO). More information, including the Director/Title IX Coordinator's office address, electronic mail address, and telephone number, can be located at https://www.utah.edu/nondiscrimination/.

Online reports may be submitted at https://oeo.utah.edu.