Contract Indie Animation Studio Jobs in Florida (NOW HIRING)

Innovative Education Studios (InEd Studios) at the University of South Florida is seeking a Virtual Production & 3D Animation Student Assistant for our team to assist with the production of innovative videos for online courses and USF initiative. The position is ideal for a USF student looking to gain hands-on experience in multimedia production while working up to 20 hours per week.

Schedule: Flexible around class schedule, somewhat flexible within business hours of 8am - 5pm. Please attach class schedule and resume.

InEd Studios at USF creates engaging multimedia content to enhance learning in blended and online courses. From video and animation to podcasts and graphic design, the team collaborates with faculty and staff to produce high-quality, immersive educational media. With state-of-the-art facilities like a custom LED volume for virtual production, InEd Studios also partners on special projects, pushing the boundaries of educational and creative media.

Working at USF

With approximately 16,000 employees, the University of South Florida is one of the largest employers in the Tampa Bay area. We are dedicated to cultivating a talented, engaged and driven workforce that strives to be bold. Employees excel in USF's rich academic environment, which fosters their development and advancement. In 2025, Forbes recognized USF as one of Florida's best large employers, ranked No. 1 among the state's 12 public universities. Our first-class benefits package includes medical, dental and life insurance plans, retirement plan options, employee and dependent tuition programs, generous leave, and hundreds of employee perks and discounts.

About USF 

The University of South Florida is a top-ranked research university serving approximately 50,000 students from across the globe at campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota-Manatee and USF Health. USF is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top 50 public university and the best value in Florida. U.S. News also ranks the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine as the No. 1 medical school in Florida and in the highest tier nationwide. USF is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), a group that includes only the top 3% of universities in the U.S. With an all-time high of $738 million in research funding in 2024 and as a top 20 public university for producing U.S. patents, USF uses innovation to transform lives and shape a better future. The university generates an annual economic impact of more than $6 billion. USF's Division I athletics teams compete in the American Athletic Conference. Learn more at www.usf.edu.

Compliance and Federal Notices

This position may be subject to a Level 1 or Level 2 criminal background check.

Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws: 

The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law.  The University maintains programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws.

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

Applicants for USF employment are entitled to request reasonable accommodation(s) in the application process. A request is to be made at least five (5) working days prior to the time the accommodation(s) is needed. Visit the Central Human Resources ADA Accommodations webpage for more information on requesting an accommodation during the application/interview process.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law.  The University maintains affirmative action programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws.  This job description does not constitute an employment contract.  

Minimum Qualifications: Must be a degree seeking student in good academic standing at the University of South Florida.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with Unreal Engine (virtual production, nDisplay, Switchboard, or general real time rendering workflows is a plus).
• Enrolled in the College of Design, Art, and Performance or in the Zimmerman School of Mass Communications 
• Experience editing video with Adobe Premiere & After Effects.
• Experience creating with 3D modeling/sculpting tools (blender, Maya, ZBrush, or similar).
• Experience or interest in motion capture, character rigging, animation and rendering pipelines. 
• Curiosity about AI tools in a creative production pipeline (image/video generations, ML-assisted workflows).

Special Requirements:

• Must have an interest in virtual production, animation, and emerging 3D/AI workflows.
• Comfortable learning new, fast-changing tools and hardware in a live production environment.
• Excellent writing, researching, proofreading, and editing skills.

Standard Learning Objectives:

As a result of this position, student will be able to:

• Demonstrate basic employability skills such as: timeliness to work, appropriate dress, interpersonal communication, and time management
• Receive and solicit feedback from supervisor and effectively apply feedback on the job
• Assess workplace and demonstrate how personal talents, skills, and knowledge fit into the employer's goals, mission, and vision
• Demonstrate his or her professional brand (identity)
• Communicate transferable and functional skills to prospective employers

• Support the virtual production team on LED Volume/ICVFX shoots, including camera tracking, Unreal Engine scene operation, motion capture and on-set troubleshooting.
• Assist with 3D asset creation, 3D environment building for virtual sets, and animated content.
• Assist on productions both in studio and on location.
• Post-production/editing, rendering, animation, compositing, and motion graphics.
• Pre-production: scheduling, virtual production scouting, pre-light, previz, and script writing.