Religious Studies Professor Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Position: Assistant Professor of Communications (Digital Media: Game Design/3D Animation)

Type: Tenure-Track                  Academic Year: 2026-2027                  Available: Fall 2026 

Location:         Department of Communications

                        College of Arts and Humanities

                        California State University, Bakersfield

                        9001 Stockdale Highway

                        Bakersfield, CA  93311-1099

Contact: Requests for information about the position and application process should be directed to: 

Prof. Mary Slaughter, Search and Screening Committee Chair

     Email: mslaughter@csub.edu

     Tel: (661) 654-2152 

Deadline: Full consideration will be given to complete applications submitted by February 4, 2026. Applications submitted after the deadline may be reviewed at the discretion of the committee until the position is filled. 

University Background: CSU Bakersfield, founded in 1970, is a regional, comprehensive university serving the southern San Joaquin Valley of California. CSU Bakersfield's service area covers nearly 25,000 square miles and is home to a socially and ethnically diverse population. CSU Bakersfield is the only four-year degree granting institution within a 100-mile radius. Due to this, CSU Bakersfield has a vital role in educational obtainment, economic development, and quality of life within the region. The campus serves 9,800 undergraduate students and 1,750 graduate, credential, and post-baccalaureate students. CSU Bakersfield is a federally designated Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI).

The accolades recently received by CSU Bakersfield include: #18 in Top Public Universities in the West (U.S. News and World Report, 2025), #17 in Best Bang for the Buck for Western Colleges and #8 in Best Master's University (Washington Monthly, 2025), #9 in Economic Mobility Index (Third Way, 2024), and #4 in California Mobility Index (College Future Foundation, 2024).

Commitment to Diversity: The Department of Communications within the College of Arts and Humanities at CSU Bakersfield is committed to academic and inclusive excellence and diversity within the faculty, staff, and student body. 

College Information: Comprised of seven departments (Art & Art History, Communications, English, History, Modern Languages & Literatures, Music & Theatre, and Philosophy & Religious Studies), the College of Arts & Humanities at California State University, Bakersfield, provides thriving academic degree programs to approximately 1,000 students as well as core areas of General Education for the approximately 11,000 students at the university. In addition to classroom instruction, the departments in the College host art exhibits, dramatic productions, and concerts, as well as "The Runner" (the Student Newspaper) and student broadcasting programs. Departments often invite distinguished visiting artists and speakers to present to university-wide audiences. Students benefit from high-impact practices in the College, including direct experience with the arts and humanities in public cultural settings through the Beyond the Classroom program. The College also offers three M.A. programs (English, History, and Spanish). Lastly, the College houses the Institute for Basque Studies, the Public History Institute, and the Institute for Religion, Education, and Public Policy (all of which also link to the broader community in Kern County).

Department Information: The Department of Communications has approximately 200 majors and is growing. Professors come to know students well and mentor them for success. We offer a B.A. degree with concentrations in in Digital Media, Journalism, and Public Relations. For more information, please visit our website at http://www.csub.edu/comm. 

Position Description: Applications are invited for a tenure-track position in Digital Media with an emphasis on Game Design and 3D Animation at the Assistant Professor level, beginning in August 2026. We are looking for a creative practitioner who brings dedication to craft, deep technical skill, and the agility to adapt to evolving production pipelines, ensuring students gain real-world, industry-aligned experience. 

Minimum Qualifications: The successful candidate will possess an M.F.A., D.F.A. or Arts/Practice PhD degree in game design, animation, media arts or a closely related field. The successful candidate will also have extensive experience with real-world and hands-on production with one or more of the following:

Game Development Production Skills

• Game engines (Unreal Engine, Unity) and/or virtual production
• Level design and world-building
• Gameplay prototyping
• Asset integration and optimization
• Experience contributing to a playable project

3D Modeling & Animation Skills

• Character or environment modeling
• UV mapping and texturing
• Rigging and animation
• Lighting and rendering (real-time or offline)
• Experience with production pipelines (model texture rig animate engine)

Teaching: Candidates should demonstrate:

• Ability to teach software
• Ability to design assignments and develop courses based on real-world production workflows
• Strong communication and critique skills
• Ability to support diverse learners and emerging artists
• Commitment to maintaining industry-relevant skills
• Commitment to teaching undergraduate students from diverse socioeconomic, cultural, and academic backgrounds, including first-generation students 

Creative Research: The successful candidate will also have an identified program of creative research that aligns with studies and/or practice in game design, audio/video production, 3D animation, motion graphics, VR/AR, and/or immersive environments. Candidates should also have teaching and/or professional experience in game design and 3D animation.

Rank and Salary: Assistant Professor; salary based on qualifications and experience.

Anticipated annual salary range: $74,652 - $80,000

Application: The complete application package must include:

1) Cover letter

2) Curriculum vitae with evidence of a clear research program leading to exhibition/publication

3) Teaching portfolio with  a number of samples of student work and a statement of teaching philosophy

4) Three letters of recommendation, with contact information for reference checks

5) A statement about fostering an inclusive classroom OR a statement describing your contribution to diversity, equity and inclusion through your teaching, scholarly activities, and/or service.

6) Creative work/reel portfolio. Applicants should submit multiple samples of creative work. These samples shall include a mix of following:

• Completed or in-progress relevant creative work
• 3D models, animations, or game prototypes
• Breakdown of workflow and process
• Industry-level execution 

All video samples should be uploaded to a Vimeo or YouTube site. Please include the URL and password (if applicable) within the relevant portfolio PDF.

Benefits: Faculty employee benefits are very competitive for the higher education sector.  See the CSU Employee Benefits Summary for details about the CSU's excellent benefits package.

Background Check: A background check (including a criminal records check) must be satisfactorily completed.  Offers of employment are conditional and may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information.  Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current CSU employee who is conditionally offered the position.

Authorization to Work: Employment is contingent upon US residence and proof of eligibility to work in the United States. CSUB is currently unable to sponsor new H-1B employment visas which are subject to the $100,000 fee established by the "Presidential Proclamation: Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers" issued on September 19, 2025. Applicants are responsible for determining the applicability of the fee.

Out of State Employment: Per CSU-wide policy, all faculty who will begin initial employment (or return from a 12-month break in service) on or after January 1, 2022 are required to perform their work from within the State of California.  Faculty assignments include in-person duties that require an on-campus presence. 

Mandated Reporter: The person holding this position is considered a "mandated reporter" under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.  The person will also have a duty to report to the Campus Title IX Officer information pertaining to discrimination, harassment, sexual misconduct or exploitation, dating or domestic violence, stalking, and retaliation under the CSU Interim Nondiscrimination Policy. 

Clery Act: CSUB's annual crime report includes statistics for the previous three years concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus, in certain off-campus centers, such as our Antelope Valley Satellite Campus and on property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from CSUB. The report also includes policies concerning security on campus, such as alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, reporting crimes, sexual assault, and other subjects. Additionally, a daily log of offenses is maintained and can be reviewed at the front desk of the Department of Public Safety. You can obtain a copy of the annual report by contacting the Department of Public Safety/University Police at (661) 654-2111 or by logging on to their website at: https://www.csub.edu/compliance/Clery.

EEO Statement: All university programs and activities are open and available to all regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, CSUB provides equal opportunity in education and employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every student and employee has access to the resources and support they need to thrive and succeed in a university environment and in their communities.

CSUB complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California's Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws, and CSU's Nondiscrimination Policy. We prohibit discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all university programs, policies, and practices.

CSUB is a diverse community of individuals who represent many perspectives, beliefs and identities, committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and intellectually vibrant environment. We cultivate a culture of open dialogue, mutual respect, and belonging to support educational excellence and student success. Through academic programs, student organizations and activities, faculty initiatives, and community partnerships, we encourage meaningful engagement with diverse perspectives. As a higher education institution, we are dedicated to advancing knowledge and empowering individuals to reach their full potential by prioritizing inclusive curriculum development, faculty and staff training, student mentorship, and comprehensive support programs. At CSUB, excellence is built on merit, talent, diversity, accessibility, and equal opportunity for all.