Description                        

The School of Design within the Jarvis College of Computing and Digital Media at DePaul University is seeking candidates for a full-time, non-tenure track Instructor of game design and development to begin in September 2025. Job responsibilities include teaching, service, and continued professional development. DePaul is on the quarter system, and the teaching load is up to 8 courses total per academic year taught across the fall, winter, and spring quarters along with student advising responsibilities throughout the academic year.

We invite individuals eager to continue building our school’s reputation as a regional and national leader in game design and development, which is ranked a Top 2025 Game Design School by Princeton Review (#23 of all graduate programs and #28 of all undergraduate programs).

The successful candidate will be appointed as a faculty member in the School of Design and will teach students in the BS in Game Design program alongside students from other related programs (such as BFA in Animation with a Game Art concentration and BS in Game Programming); the candidate may also have the opportunity to teach students from the MFA in Game Design program. Colleagues in the School of Design are dedicated to mutual success and growth, and we are interested in someone who will add new dimensions to our programs.

About the School of Design

Located in the heart of Chicago, the School of Design in the Jarvis College of Computing and Digital Media prides itself on nurturing a diverse body of over 500 students to become visionary designers who will become leaders in their fields. The School of Design offers nationally-ranked undergraduate and graduate programs in core and emerging design disciplines, encompassing game design, graphic design, industrial design, and user experience design, digital communication and media arts, and human centered design. You can learn more about the School of Design and its various programs here: https://www.cdm.depaul.edu/about/Pages/School-of-Design.aspx

Led by DePaul’s Vincentian mission, we are focused on developing designers, makers, researchers, storytellers, and world-builders who leverage design and technology to transform lives and create a positive impact in both local and global communities. You can read more about DePaul’s mission here: https://offices.depaul.edu/mission-ministry/about/Pages/mission.aspx.

In keeping with DePaul’s mission, our curricula invite students to participate in storytelling, research, innovation, and iterative making through digital modes, leading to creation of printed matter (e.g., posters, books), interactive systems (websites, mobile apps), objects (packaging, wearables, physical technology), games (video games, AR/VR experiences, simulations, table top games), and experience (exhibits, services, programs). Our faculty builds bridges within and outside DePaul and engages in community outreach that reflects DePaul's Vincentian Mission.

Faculty in the School of Design are given many forms of support to develop their careers, including funding opportunities for professional development activities. Faculty also have access to cutting-edge equipment and lab spaces, including several VR and AR production spaces, two well-equipped makerspaces with facilities for fabricating wood, metal, plastics, soft goods, and electronics; recording, film, stop-motion animation, and motion-capture studios; and a print lab. The Jarvis Student Center for Innovation and Collaboration brings together students and faculty from across the college and provides a media lounge for lectures and presentations, an XR creative studio, and private spaces and conference rooms for meetings. You can learn more here: https://www.cdm.depaul.edu/Student-Resources/Pages/Jarvis-Student-Center-for-Innovation-and-Collaboration.aspx

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Qualifications                        

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or a graduate degree (MFA, MDes, MS, MA, or equivalent) in a related field or professional equivalence in a related field.
• Experience and proven commitment to quality teaching.
• Ability to teach project-based game design and development courses at the undergraduate level and across various related majors.
• Demonstrated record of creative practice or professional experience in the field.
• Expertise in one or more areas related to game design, including but not limited to: game production, technical game development, user experience design (UX) for games, games with a purpose beyond entertainment (such as social impact games), iterative game design, narrative game design/storytelling, emerging technology, physical/alternative controllers, game studies, game accessibility, interdisciplinary design.
• Credited contributions on at least one published game and/or recognition in the field for a game.
• Working knowledge of and ability to mentor students in at least one of the following game engines: Unity, Unreal, or Godot.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Interest and experience working with faculty and students on mentorship and advising at the undergraduate and graduate level
• Interest and experience building community and contributing to school-wide initiatives (e.g., game showcases, playtest events, game jams).
• Evidence of effective mentorship and/or collaboration in a professional context.
• Established network in the games community and/or industry.

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Application Instructions                        

For priority consideration, apply by May 12, 2025. Applications will continue to be accepted until the position is filled.

To apply please submit the following application materials:

• cover letter describing your experience and interests
• curriculum vitae or resume
• statement of teaching philosophy
• annotated selection of research/creative work
• detailed syllabus from a prior course taught or a detailed syllabus for a proposed course
• diverse learning environment experience
• names and contact details of three references who have agreed to provide a reference letter
• additional materials (optional): Samples of student work and additional syllabi

General Compensation/Benefits Statement
DePaul University has provided a compensation range that represents its good faith estimate of what the University may pay for the position at the time of posting. The salary offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the qualifications, education, experience, and training of the selected candidate, the scope and responsibilities of the position, departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information.

DePaul University offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, and tuition benefit. Further information regarding benefits can be found here: https://offices.depaul.edu/human-resources/benefits/Pages/default.aspx.

About DePaul University's Academic Calendar
Except for the College of Law, DePaul University operates on a quarter system. Classes in Autumn, Winter, and Spring quarters are 11 weeks in length (including finals week) and Summer courses, in two sessions, are typically 5 weeks in length.  The College of Law operates on the semester system. Classes in the Fall and Spring semesters are 16 weeks in length (including finals week) and it offers a Summer Session of 7 weeks (including final exams).