Adjunct Faculty - Digital Animation; Digital Sculpting

Adjunct Faculty - Digital Animation (Digital Sculpting)

Missouri Western State University invites qualified candidates to apply for adjunct teaching positions for the Spring 2026 semester in our Digital Animation Program in the School of Fine Arts, located in the College of Liberal Arts. We are seeking experienced adjunct teaching faculty to teach one section of ART 455:
Advanced Digital Sculpting
, which introduces students to advanced modeling techniques for hard surface and organic modeling. The course focuses on proper modeling workflow, topology, retopology, exporting, and applying high‑fidelity models for real‑world applications, with an emphasis on Z‑Brush. It is offered 100% online and asynchronous.

Adjuncts are hired to teach on a per‑course basis, are contractual and part‑time, and are not on a tenure track. Each academic term may present the need to hire new or additional adjunct faculty. This position may require day, evening, face‑to‑face or online instruction and is limited to teaching a maximum of 9 hours per term.

Under general supervision, adjuncts will plan and implement curriculum for assigned courses; effectively communicate class content to students in an online or face‑to‑face environment; evaluate students’ progress; and assist in retention efforts.

• Adheres to all applicable university academic and employment policies identified in the University Policy Guide and academic catalogs.
• Develops course syllabus for each course assigned, including learning objectives and required university information; distributes the syllabus to campus administration and enrolled students.
• Creates, publishes, and maintains a Course Canvas shell, adhering to best practices for LMS use.
• Instructs the depth and scope of class materials as outlined in the syllabus and catalog, relating instruction to course and program outcomes.
• Prepares and grades exams based on course objectives and scheduled exams, and returns all assignments and graded work in a timely manner.
• Implements evaluation of outcomes assessments and achieves established results while maintaining university standards and student satisfaction.
• Works creatively in all assigned courses to keep students engaged and assist in increasing student retention.
• Submits grades at the appropriate time.
• Responds to student inquiries in a timely and professional manner.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the department chair or college dean.

• Bachelor’s degree
• Teaching experience
• Content area experience
• Authorized to work in the United States

• Master’s degree or higher in subject field
• Teaching experience in higher education
• Professional experience in subject area

• As Missouri’s designated applied learning institution, we seek a candidate who is collaborative, service‑oriented, and demonstrates a strong commitment to building real‑world active‑learning environments.

• Comprehensive knowledge of ZBrush, including its interface and core tools such as Dynamesh, ZModeler, and ZRemesher.
• Familiarity with ZBrush Core and ability to support students using that version at home.
• Ability to teach how ZBrush integrates into professional pipelines for games, film, and collectibles (retopology, UV creation, texturing, rendering, animation, or 3‑D printing).
• Proficiency in rendering and compositing workflows within ZBrush and via export to applications such as Maya or Unreal Engine.
• Strong problem‑solving skills to guide students through ZBrush’s learning curve and provide effective solutions.
• Strong foundation in anatomy, proportion, and form‑building (primary, secondary, tertiary) to teach students with limited prior training.
• Knowledge of design principles, composition, and shape language to guide creation of compelling characters, creatures, and models.
• Experience with traditional sculpting or drawing to deepen understanding of form, weight, and perspective.
• Ability to teach both realistic and stylized approaches to digital sculpting, adapting to diverse project needs and student interests.

• Commitment to consistent student engagement, ideally…