Job: Research Assistant Professor for Immersive Environments at Virginia Tech

Research Assistant Professor for Immersive Environments
Institute for Creativity, Arts and Technology
Virginia Tech University
Blacksburg, Virginia

Faculty Rank: Research Assistant Professor
Posting Number: SR0170329
Quick Link: http://listings.jobs.vt.edu/postings/79113

Employee Category: Research Faculty
If restricted or temporary, enter end date: Reviewed annually
Tenure Status: Non-Tenure Track
Academic Year or Calendar Year: Calendar Year
Percent Employment: Full-time
Pay Range: Commensurate with Experience

Job Posting Date: 08/18/2017
Review Begin Date: 09/11/2017

ABOUT VIRGINIA TECH:

Virginia Tech is a public land-grant university, committed to teaching and learning, research, and outreach to the Commonwealth of Virginia, the nation, and the world. Building on its motto of Ut Prosim (that I may serve), Virginia Tech is dedicated to InclusiveVT—serving in the spirit of community, diversity, and excellence. We seek candidates who adopt and practice the Principles of Community, which are fundamental to our on-going efforts to increase access and inclusion, and to create a community that nurtures learning and growth for all of its members. Virginia Tech actively seeks a broad spectrum of candidates to join our community in preparing leaders for the world.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Research Assistant Professor for Immersive Environments provides dynamic leadership for a growing body of programs in creative technologies and immersive environments within the Institute for Creativity, Arts, and Technology (ICAT). This position leads and participates in immersive and augmented reality environment research teams as full-scale project manager, collaborative contributor, and/or facility technical support. Using Maya, Zbrush, Unity, After Effects, Unreal Engine, Max/MSP, Autopano Video, and other emerging applications, the immersive environments specialist conducts research intended to use and advance ICAT’s world-leading immersive environment facilities, produces content for use in a variety of virtual and augmented reality applications, assumes limited instructional responsibilities, and produces peer-reviewed papers and technical documentation.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:

1. Immersive environment research and development

  • Design and execute independent departmental research projects and manage collaborative efforts of multidisciplinary research teams.
  • In collaboration with Collaborative Technologies + Experiences teaching faculty, design and execute research projects for incorporation into curricula and provide hands-on technology experience and research opportunities for CT+E students.
  • Lead research teams to implement immersive environments and simulations by integrating them into existing pipelines.
  • Interface with information technology staff and other researchers to maintain and expand the pipelines for immersive 360 video, virtual reality, augmented reality, and motion capture.
  • Help manage the use of the Cube and other related studios.
  • Rearrange and troubleshoot systems on a per-project basis and support a need-based dynamic research environment.

2. Sponsored research activity

  • Initiate sponsored research proposals, including establishing collaborative research teams, leading project design efforts, and serving as principal investigator.
  • Contribute to other faculty members’ project proposals by providing technical, budgetary, and execution expertise and serving as co-PI, senior personnel, or key personnel as appropriate; manage project execution and deliverables components requiring use of ICAT equipment or facilities.
  • Collaborate with other researchers to develop projects in Maya and Unity by creating assets in sound as well as visual, building environments, and programming simulation behavior.
  • Create and manipulate images and models using 2D and 3D computer graphics software, working closely with researchers to design assets for the immersive environment.
  • Create or modify animation of 3D models including the use of motion capture.

3. Author technical documents and publish peer-reviewed academic papers

  • Submit scholarly papers to academic journals and conference for presentations and publications on ICAT projects and facilities.
  • Create project plans that include storyboards, technical requirements analyses, and roles and responsibilities of parties involved.
  • Create, update, and maintain usage manuals for ICAT research equipment and processes.

4. Teaching and creative work

  • Teach one academic course per year.
  • Supervise 2-3 graduate students.
  • Instruct students in the use of ICAT facilities and equipment to develop multidisciplinary projects.
  • Lead workshops for faculty and staff on the use of ICAT facilities and equipment.
  • Produce creative work outputs at a national level.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

  • PhD or terminal degree in fine arts, industrial design, computer science, electrical engineering, or related discipline with an emphasis on new media or game development.
  • Strong programming experience and adaptability to a variety of programming languages.
  • Demonstrated record of applying creative and artistic aptitude to projects.
  • Record of successfully setting and meeting deadlines.
  • Experience in collaborative work environments requiring teamwork and well-developed ability to work well with others.
  • Strong communication skills.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

The ideal candidate will have some knowledge in all, and a proven track record in one or two, of the following areas:

  • Development in Unity, Unreal Engine, C#, and/or C++,
  • The motion capture production pipeline, preferably with Qualisys and/or Optitrack systems,- Modeling and animation within Maya and/or ZBrush as well as importing assets into Unity and/or Unreal Engine,
  • The Maya rendering pipeline using Renderman and/or for 360° video,
  • 360° video editing and encoding in AutoPano Video and After Effects.
  • Max/MSP Programming and Sound Design

HOW TO APPLY FOR THIS JOB:

For additional details and to apply, visit www.jobs.vt.edu and reference posting SR0170329. Review of applications will begin on September 11, 2017. The position will remain open for applications until filled.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION STATEMENT:

Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, or veteran status; or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees, or applicants; or any other basis protected by law.

For inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies, contact the executive director for Equity and Accessibility at 540-231-2010 or Virginia Tech, North End Center, Suite 2300 (0318), 300 Turner St. NW, Blacksburg, VA 24061.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION STATEMENT:

If you are an individual with a disability and desire accommodation please contact the hiring department.

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