Tenure-Track Position, Inclusive Practices in Film Animation

Job title:  Tenure-Track Position, Inclusive Practices in Film Animation
Position code: 20_T_CINE
Date posted: October 4, 2022
Application deadline: December 15, 2022
Advertised until: Position is filled

Position Description

The Mel Hoppenheim School of Cinema in the Faculty of Fine Arts invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track position at the rank of Assistant Professor in Inclusive Practices in Film Animation to begin August 1, 2023.  Exceptional candidates at the Associate level may also be considered. Duties include teaching undergraduate courses in animation filmmaking while mentoring students in a broad range of techniques and practices, as well as the possibility of supervising students at the MFA level. The incumbent will teach a 2/2 load of film animation production courses, centering inclusive teaching practices within a core curriculum that includes introductory, intermediate, and advanced animation filmmaking, technical aspects of animation, and analytical drawing for animation and storyboard. The successful candidate will be expected to fully participate in academic life through contributions in program administration and stewardship, curriculum development, departmental and university-wide committee work, and other relevant service duties. In addition to teaching and service, faculty members are expected to maintain an active practice of animation filmmaking, research-creation, and dissemination. 

Qualifications and assets 

The successful candidate will have a demonstrated commitment to teaching and research-creation that centers diversity within animation practices. Preference will be given to candidates whose animation interests include Indigenous animation, African and Black diasporic animation, global diasporic animation, and/or decolonization and the impact of colonization in animation practices. Other possible areas of focus may include disability in animation, neurodiversity in animation, LGBTQ2S+ animation, activist- or community-based animation, expanded animation, and/or contemporary animation and visual cultures and subcultures. 

We are seeking applicants with an established independent animation filmmaking practice (including festival screenings, gallery exhibitions, conferences and/or relevant professional experience in studio or auteur animation), demonstrating potential for independent research-creation and the securing of external research or research-creation funding. Candidates must have a completed MFA or equivalent terminal degree in Film Animation or a related field (or be near completion at the start date of the appointment). The main criteria for selection are artistic, cinematic, and teaching excellence. We especially welcome candidates with a passion for dynamic, creative teaching, lived experience mentoring diverse groups of students, and a clearly demonstrated commitment to fostering diversity within their working environment.  Candidates are encouraged to share any career interruptions or personal circumstances that may have had an impact on their career goals in their letter of application. These will be carefully considered in the assessment process. The School values diversity among its faculty and strongly encourages applications from women and members of underrepresented groups. Concordia University is an English-language institution of higher learning at which the primary language of instruction and research is English. Since this position supports academic functions of the university, proficiency in English is required. Working knowledge of French is an asset. 

Applicants’ filmmaking practice may include but is not limited to the following: stop-motion, traditional/hand-drawn animation, storyboarding, experimental animation, animated installation (gallery/site-specific installation), drawing/design for animation, under camera/direct animation, artistic/creative compositing, artistic use of 3-D (CGI), documentary/nonfiction animation, independent animation producing, visual music/sound for animation, and others. 

Additional assets may include: 

• evidence of critical engagement with animation as a research-creation-practice within an academic context;  
• experience in related areas of fine arts practices and pedagogy and/or interdisciplinary practices; 
• flexibility and creative thinking; 
• experience in practice and pedagogy of sound for animation;  
• knowledge of animation software such as Premiere Pro, Dragonframe, AfterEffects, Photoshop, ProTools, TVPaint, or similar software, as well as digital cameras. 

How to Apply 

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however Canadians and Permanent Residents will be given priority. To comply with the Government of Canada’s reporting requirements, the University is obliged to gather information about applicants’ status as either Permanent Residents of Canada or Canadian citizens. While applicants need not identify their country of origin or current citizenship, all applicants must include one of the following statements: 

Yes, I am a citizen or permanent resident of Canada 

or 

No, I am not a citizen or permanent resident of Canada

Applications should be submitted electronically to jobs.cinema@concordia.ca on or before December 15, 2022 but, will continue to be reviewed until the position is filled. Only shortlisted candidates will be notified and will be required to provide an attestation of their terminal degree(s). Submissions should consist of a single PDF file that is identified with the candidate’s name and position code, and includes the following items in the order specified below: 

• cover letter outlining past and current research, as well as excellence in teaching traditional, narrative, and/or experimental animation techniques and storyboard-based methodologies at the post-secondary level; 
• current curriculum vitae indicating artistic achievements (including awards and accolades), exhibitions and grants, and all relevant professional experience; 
• current portfolio of works demonstrating an active, professional practice as an independent animation filmmaker/practitioner. Please include and briefly describe any relevant research including films, exhibitions, festivals, galleries, conference presentations, articles, publications, reviews, etc. (For video files in the portfolio, please submit links to a professional website,  YouTube or Vimeo channel. If the link is private, please provide the password.);  
• evidence of teaching effectiveness—e.g. teaching evaluations (if applicable), assignments, and syllabi of courses taught. The successful candidate will offer evidence of experience working respectfully and collaboratively with diverse groups of students, staff and faculty; 
• statement on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) regarding filmmaking practice and pedagogy;
• statement of teaching philosophy that demonstrates a clearly open and supportive approach to pedagogy and a commitment to EDI and belonging;  
• statement of animation research interests and practice, and an outline of research or research-creation plans for the next three years;  
• names and contact information of three referees.

All inquiries regarding this position may be directed to Dr. Martin Lefebvre, Chair, Mel Hoppenheim School of Cinema at martin.lefebvre@concordia.ca. 

Concordia University is strongly committed to building a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community, and recognizes the importance of inclusion in achieving excellence in teaching and research. As part of this commitment to providing our students with the dynamic, innovative, and inclusive educational environment of a Next‐Generation University, we require all applicants to articulate in their cover letter how their background, as well as lived and professional experiences and expertise have prepared them to teach in ways that are relevant for a diverse, multicultural contemporary Canadian society. 

These ongoing or anticipated examples can include, but are not limited to: 

• teaching about underrepresented populations 
• mentoring students from underrepresented backgrounds 
• committee work 
• offering or organizing educational programming 
• participation in training and workshops 

All applicants will receive an email invitation to complete a short equity survey. Participation in the survey is voluntary and no identifying information about candidates will be shared with hiring committees. Candidates who wish to self-identify as a member of an underrepresented group to the hiring committee may do so in their cover letter or by writing directly to the contact person indicated in this posting.

Adaptive Measures 

Applicants who anticipate requiring adaptive measures throughout any stage of the recruitment process may contact, in confidence, Anna Barrafato, Accessibility Change Lead: anna.barrafato@concordia.ca or by phone at 514.848.2424 extension 3511.