University of Derby s1

UNIVERSITY OF DERBY JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE Lecturer in Computer Games Modelling and Animation

DEPARTMENT / Electronics, Computing and Mathematics, College of Engineering COLLEGE and Technology

LOCATION Kedleston Road

JOB NUMBER 0214-16 R SALARY £31,076 - £32,958 per annum

REPORTS TO Deputy Head of Department, Head of Computing

Role Summary

The full-time position includes teaching on the successful undergraduate programme (BA Hons Computer Games Modelling and Animation). You will make a significant contribution to existing industry links and help further develop graduate employability. You will also contribute to the development of research activity and capacity in the team.

You will deliver the core 3D Game production curriculum. A willingness to engage in further developments in game art is also desirable.

Additionally, the post-holder will make an appropriate contribution to the management of the department’s programmes. In particular, the post holder will participate in activities carried out by the department’s research groups. The post holders will also be expected to develop their personal research output and esteem, or have the potential and willingness to establish a research profile.

The focus of the teaching is such that the post holder should have experience of the games industry. However, practical experience in film/TV production, animation or other relevant industries will also be considered.

The department requires digital artists with the following skillsets:

 Experience working in a games studio

 Awareness of character design/creation workflows

 Experience in the production of high and low polygon models for real time development

 Knowledge of industry standard 3D modelling packages e.g. Maya

 Life Drawing and 2D art skills to develop environments and the character concepts from 2D to 3D

 Experience in digital sculpture

1  Experience working in Unreal 4

 Awareness of a physically based rendering workflow

For informal enquires about the role, please contact Professor Yong Xue, Deputy Head of Department (Head of Computing) – [email protected]

Principal Accountabilities

 Teach an appropriate number of UG and/or PG courses.

 Take relevant module and programme leadership responsibilities that will include marketing, recruitment, delivery and on-going development for those programmes.

 Contribute to the department’s ambition to increase research output by publishing in appropriate esteemed journals and conferences.

 Contribute to the development of the department’s research esteem by organising scholarly activities such as edited books and workshops/conferences.

 Assist in the writing of bids for externally funded research projects.

 Supervise UG and PG research students.

 Participate in programme and subject developments and contribute to ongoing quality assurance, review and re-validation processes for the department’s programmes.

 Contribute to new initiatives as appropriate at programme, department, college and university level.

 Engage in continuing professional development in teaching, practice-based research and scholarly activity.

 Take on other responsibilities as required by the Deputy Head of Department, Computing, or the Head of Department.

2 Person Specification

1. Essential Criteria

• Qualifications

Honours degree, preferably in a design related subject or appropriate industrial experience

Fellowship of the HE Academy or willingness to work towards (within 18 months)

• Experience

Experience of the Computer Games industry

Subject expertise in the following: digital sculpture, game engines, life drawing, 3D modelling packages

Experience working with game engines (e.g. Unreal 4)

Awareness of a physics-based rendering workflow

Experience of teaching at HE level

• Skills, knowledge and abilities

Good communication skills

Excellent drawing skills in traditional and electronic media along with experience in developing professional presentation materials

An excellent ability to visually and verbally communicate games concepts and develop awareness of how these are created, using packages such as Adobe Photoshop to visualize characters, environment and vehicles

Excellent modelling skills in Maya and sculpting in Zbrush

An ability to effectively communicate with degree level students

Excellent organisational skills

Ability to work both individually and as part of a team

Ability to manage projects and people

• Personal qualities, values and behaviours

Effective team player with the ability to build effective relationships and interact with students, external clients and fellow professionals

An effective communicator with enthusiasm and a positive attitude

3 2. Desirable Criteria

• Qualifications

Evidence of continuing professional development

Membership of professional bodies

• Experience

Experience in preparing bids for external research funding

Experience of PhD student supervision

Knowledge and expertise in at least one other subject area (e.g. animation, environment art, film or TV production, special effects)

• Skills, knowledge and abilities

Experience with Substance Designer & Substance Painter

Experience working in Unity

Experience in mobile development

Experience developing real-time VFX

Experience of motion capture.

4 Benefits

35 days holiday plus statutory, concessionary and closure days. Opportunity to join the Teachers Pension scheme. For more information on the benefits of working at the University of Derby go to http://www.derby.ac.uk/hr

Staff appointed to a teaching post should hold a suitable teaching qualification or have relevant, recent teaching experience. This will normally be interpreted as having at least two years teaching experience in further or higher education. The expectation will be that you will be (or will become) a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (HEA) or have gained (or is working towards) an award from the HEA accredited course or some other recognised teaching award acceptable to the University. You will be expected to commence this programme within your first year of appointment and successfully complete within 18 months of starting the programme.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expect everyone who works for us to also share this commitment and to treat people with courtesy and respect.