The Center for Games and Playable Media at UC Santa Cruz is in search of a talented game designer with a portfolio of interesting games for a new position, the Game Designer in Residence. Like an Artist in Residence, the game designer will continue to work on personal projects as well as contribute to the academic environment with a mix of teaching duties, offering feedback and critique, collaborating on research opportunities, and providing design guidance.
The full job posting is here:
The Center for Games and Playable Media (CGPM) invites applications from outstanding game designers for the position of Game Designer in Residence at UC Santa Cruz. The Game Designer in Residence has two main roles: (1) individual game design research developing innovative interactive works, and, (2) participation in the academic community of the Center at several levels, most notably by teaching undergraduate level courses focused on game design.
In research, the Game Designer in Residence creates original game design concepts which are then realized into working games. The Game Designer in Residence will also work collaboratively with faculty and graduate students on experimental research games. Activities may also include software engineering, as well as providing critical feedback and design guidance. The Game Designer in Residence may also contribute design ideas and provide feedback to games being developed as part of externally funded research projects
In teaching, the Game Designer in Residence is the primary instructor for one or more courses on game design. Viewed broadly, in this role, the Game Designer in Residence provides critical feedback and constructive suggestions to game designs made by students. Courses that may be taught include Foundations of Interactive Game Design (CMPS 80K), Game Design Practicum,(CMPS 179), and Game Design Studio I (CMPS 170). Foundations of Interactive Game design is a freshmen-level course providing an introduction to game design, and involves the construction of a small novel computer game. Game Design Practicum is a junior-level course focused on practicing design through rapid prototyping and game-making exercises and involves instructing
students on game technologies as well as design. Game Design Studio I is the first of a three-course sequence where senior game design majors work in teams to create substantial computer games. The initial course is focused on game concept development and refinement. In addition, he or she may provide feedback to the senior capstone course projects and to other student game design projects throughout the year. The Designer may also present lectures, talks, or one-off seminars at special events organized by the Center.
RANK: For those holding a terminal degree, appointment will be as a Visiting Assistant, Associate, or Full Professor. For others, appointment will be as a combination of Associate or Full Research Specialist (encompassing the game design research activities) and a Lecturer (for the teaching aspects of the position).
SALARY: Commensurate with qualifications and experience and subject to availability of funding.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: The successful candidate will have demonstrated background in game design, implementation, and production; and will be able to blend experimental design and technology ideas with practical application. Candidates must have a strong commitment to undergraduate teaching. Candidates must have demonstrated significant, original, and creative expressions of new ideas in working game designs, as well as demonstrated ability to communicate complex ideas and to work independently. For appointment as Research Specialist/Lecturer, B.A. or B.S. in Computer Science or equivalent in Computer Science, Digital Arts/New Media, New Media, or closely related or relevant field. Appointment in the Visiting Professor series requires a Ph.D. or
terminal degree.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: Five or more years research or industry experience in game design. Experience teaching courses, leading workshops, tutorials, or classes. A portfolio of experimental games.
TERM OF APPOINTMENT: The initial appointment is for the 2012/13 academic year, with the possibility of renewal for the 2013/14 academic year. Should the hiring unit propose reappointment, a review to assess performance will be conducted. In addition, reappointment is contingent upon availability of funding.
POSITION AVAILABLE: October 1, 2012.
TO APPLY: Applicants should send a letter of application, curriculum vitae, copies or URLs of game projects, and the names and contact information for three references who will be willing to provide letters of recommendation* to:
Associate Director Jane Pinckard (jpinckard@soe.ucsc.edu)
by the initial review date of August 17, 2012. Email applications are strongly preferred. Please refer to position #T13-02 in all correspondence and materials.
Alternate Mailing Address:
Associate Director Jane Pinckard
Baskin School of Engineering
University of California – Mail Stop: SOE2
1156 High Street
Santa Cruz, CA, 95064
*All letters will be treated as confidential per University of California policy and California state law. For any reference letter provided via a third party (i.e., dossier service, career center), direct the author to UCSC’s confidentiality statement at http://apo.ucsc.edu/confstm.htm
CLOSING DATE: This position is open until filled. Initial consideration of applications will begin on August 17, 2012. Applications received after the initial review date may not be considered.
