Adjunct Faculty - Digital Animation (Digital Sculpting) Job at Missouri Western

Adjunct Faculty – Digital Animation (Digital Sculpting)

Position for the Spring 2026 semester in the School of Fine Arts, College of Liberal Arts at Missouri Western State University. The instructor will teach one section of ART 455: Advanced Digital Sculpting, a 100% online, fully asynchronous course that introduces students to advanced modeling techniques for hard‑surface and organic modeling with an emphasis on Z‑Brush. Adjuncts are hired on a per‑course, contractual, part‑time basis and are limited to a maximum of 9 teaching hours per term.

Adjuncts will plan and implement curriculum for the assigned course; effectively communicate class content in an online or face‑to‑face environment; evaluate students’ progress toward learning outcomes; and assist in retention efforts under general supervision.

Essential Job Duties

• Adhere to all applicable university academic and employment policies identified in the University Policy Guide and academic catalogs.
• Develop a course syllabus for each assigned course, including learning objectives and required university information, and distribute the syllabus to campus administration and enrolled students.
• Create, publish, and maintain a Course Canvas shell, adhering to best practices for LMS use.
• Instruct the depth and scope of class materials as outlined in the syllabus and catalog, relating instruction to course and program outcomes.
• Prepare and grade exams based on course objectives, publish scheduled exams, and return all assignments/graded work in a timely manner.
• Implement evaluation of outcome assessments and achieve established results while maintaining university standards and student satisfaction.
• Work creatively in assigned courses to keep students engaged and assist in increasing student retention.
• Submit grades at the appropriate time.
• Respond to student inquiries in a timely and professional manner.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Department Chair or College Dean.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Teaching experience.
• Content‑area experience.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States.

Preferred Qualifications

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

Technical Skills in ZBrush

• Comprehensive knowledge of ZBrush, including its unique interface and core tools such as Dynamesh, ZModeler, and ZRemesher.
• Familiarity with ZBrush Core, the version available in our labs, and ability to support students using that version at home.
• Ability to teach how ZBrush integrates into professional pipelines for games, film, and collectibles, including retopology for various levels of detail (LOD), UV creation, texturing, and preparing models for rendering, animation, or 3D printing.
• Proficiency in rendering and compositing workflows, both within ZBrush and through export to applications such as Maya and Unreal.
• Strong problem‑solving skills to help students navigate ZBrush’s complex learning curve and provide efficient, effective solutions to common challenges.
• Strong foundation in anatomy, proportion, and form‑building, with the ability to teach students who may have limited prior training in these areas.
• Knowledge of design principles, composition, and shape language to guide students in creating compelling characters, creatures, and models.
• Experience with traditional sculpting or drawing, providing a deeper 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.

Teaching Practice

• Commitment to consistent student engagement, ideally including weekly meetings in an asynchronous format.
• Ability to provide clear critiques and constructive feedback to help students improve and meet expectations.
• Development of a structured plan that culminates in one or more portfolio‑ready projects suitable for inclusion in the university’s end‑of‑semester showcases.

Physical Demands

Sedentary work; may require occasionally lifting up to 10 pounds of force. The role is primarily seated.

Posting Detail Information

Posting Number: PT045P
Number of Vacancies: 1
Desired Start Date: 01/20/2026
Open Date: 10/09/2025
Priority Deadline: 11/09/2025
Open Until Filled: Yes