Instructor or Lecturer - Film, Production Design

The Opportunity 

The Nicholson School of Communication and Media (NSCM) in the College of Sciences (COS) at the University of Central Florida (UCF) invites applications for an instructor or lecturer position in the Film and Media Production and Management degree areas, anticipated to begin in August 2027. This job is a 9-month, non-tenure earning, annually renewable position that offers a clear career path with the possibility of promotion based on years of service and performance.   

The selected candidate will contribute to the mission of the Film and Mass Media program by teaching undergraduate courses and, depending on the highest degree attained, may teach at the graduate level and support the Film MFA degree by providing critiques, mentoring, and serving on graduate thesis committees. The successful candidate may be expected to teach in different modalities including face-to-face and online. The instructional duties and service assignments are in accordance with the department’s equitable workload policy. 

Other typical responsibilities include providing appropriate service in student advising (academic and career) and actively participating in the academic life of the school. This includes attending faculty meetings, graduations, assessing student learning, and engaging in committee work. These activities are integral to our commitment to student success and academic excellence.   

This position has no research expectation, but research and scholarly activities may be supported. 

Additionally, we are especially interested in a candidate who can contribute through their teaching and service to the excellence of our academic community and foster an environment in which faculty, staff, and students from a variety of backgrounds, cultures, and personal experiences are welcomed and can thrive. 

The UCF Nicholson School of Communication and Media (NSCM) is a student-centered experience at the exciting intersection of technology, media, film, advertising, communications and public relations. Our faculty and staff bring an impressive background of experience—from developing health communication to producing Super Bowl commercials—and connect our students to internship and career opportunities. As the premier academic program for communications and media in Central Florida with successful alumni around the globe, NSCM is known for excellence in research, teaching, and service to students and the community. The curriculum blends both the theoretical and applied aspects of the field, offering eight bachelor’s degree programs, four master’s degree programs, and a Ph.D. program in strategic communication. For more information about the school, visit https://communication.ucf.edu. 

The UCF College of Sciences (COS) is the largest college at the university and a powerhouse for the regional and national STEM workforce, spanning the natural, computational, physical, and social sciences and housing centers, institutes and initiatives that serve as hubs for research and innovation. Through sharing and applying knowledge, COS is cultivating pathways for students to solve our world’s most pressing and complex problems. With a mission to provide a world-class education in an environment where faculty, staff, and students thrive, research flourishes, and our community prospers; a number of COS academic programs are among those nationally ranked by U.S. News and World Report, Princeton Review, and others. For more information, please visit https://sciences.ucf.edu. 

UCF, named one of the most innovative public universities in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, is located in Orlando, Florida and is classified as a Very High Research Activity university by the Carnegie Foundation. With more than 70,000 students, UCF is one of the largest universities in the country, offering more than 240 degree programs. UCF is an economic engine, attracting and supporting industries vital to the region's future while providing students with real-world experiences that help them succeed after graduation. For more information, visit http://www.ucf.edu. 

Minimum Qualifications: 

• A master’s degree (for an instructor) or a terminal degree (for a lecturer) in Film Production, or a related field (e.g., Production Design, Film Arts, Technical Arts, Digital Media, Mass Communication, etc.) from an accredited institution at the time of hire. Applicants with a bachelor’s degree as their highest degree will be considered an instructor applicant only if they can document a minimum of seven years of professional experience in production design in film and/or television production. 

• Must have excellent communication and organizational skills and the ability to work effectively in a collaborative educational environment with faculty, students, and administrators.
• Proficiency in production design software such as Abode Creative Cloud, Unreal, DaVinci Resolve, Toon Boom Story Board Pro or relevant software.  

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Professional Experience (five years or more) of production design, directing, cinematography, editing or relevant disciplines in film and/or television.
• Professional experience in production design workflows and techniques.
• At least one year of college-level teaching experience in a relevant discipline.
• Experience working in virtual production and/or visual effects technologies.

• Experience teaching in different modalities including face-to-face and online. 

Additional Application Materials Required: 

UCF requires all applications and supporting documents to be submitted electronically through the Human Resources website, https://www.ucf.edu/jobs. In addition to the online application, interested candidates should upload the following: 

• A letter of application (cover letter) indicating how you are prepared to join the faculty at UCF. 

• A curriculum vitae (CV). 

• A teaching statement of no more than 300 words that addresses the ability to teach using different delivery modes, including online or large classes. 

• Links to preview work samples. 

Note: Please have all documents ready when applying so they can be simultaneously uploaded. Once the online submission process is finalized, the system does not allow applicants to submit additional documents later. 

The selected candidate will be required to submit official transcripts (and, as applicable, U.S. degree equivalency evaluations) documenting the conferral of their qualifying academic credentials. 

Questions regarding this search should be directed to Rich Grula, Search Committee Chair, [email protected].   

Special Instructions to Applicants: 

All applicants must be authorized to work for any U.S. employer. H-1B visa sponsorship is not available for this position, and the university cannot accommodate H-1B transfers or employment-based visa processing for individuals currently sponsored by another employer.

Note to applicants: Please keep in mind that a job posted without an end date may close at any time without notice. As such, we encourage you to submit your application and all required documentation as quickly as possible to ensure consideration for the posted position.

Are you ready to unleash YOUR potential? 

As a next-generation public research university and Forbes-ranked top employer in Florida, we are a community of thinkers, doers, creators, innovators, healers, and leaders striving to create broader prosperity and help shape a better future. No matter what your role is, when you join Knight Nation, you’ll play an integral role at one of the most impactful universities in the country. You’ll be met with opportunities to connect and collaborate with talented faculty, staff, and students across 13 colleges and multiple campuses, engaging in impactful work that makes a positive difference. Your time at UCF will provide you with many meaningful opportunities to grow; you’ll work alongside talented colleagues on complex projects that will challenge you and help you gain new skills, and you’ll have countless rewarding experiences that go well beyond a paycheck. 

Working at UCF has its perks! UCF offers: 

• Benefit packages, including Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Flexible Spending, and Employee Assistance Program.   

• Paid time off, including annual (12-month faculty) and sick time off and paid holidays.  

• Retirement savings options.   

• Employee discounts, including tickets to many Orlando attractions.   

• Education assistance.  

• Flexible work environment.   

• And more…For more benefits information, view the UCF Employee Benefits Guide click here. 

Unless explicitly stated on the job posting, it is UCF’s expectation that an employee of UCF will reside in Florida as of the date the employment begins. 

Additional Requirements related to Research Positions: 

Pursuant to Florida State Statute 1010.35, prior to offering employment to certain individuals in research-related positions, UCF is required to conduct additional screening. Applicants subject to additional screening include any citizen of a foreign country who is not a permanent resident of the U.S. or who is a citizen or permanent resident but is affiliated with or has had at least 1 year of education, employment, or training in China, Cuba, Iran, Russia, North Korea, Syria, or Venezuela. 

The additional screening requirements only apply to research-related positions, including, but not limited to faculty, graduate positions, individuals compensated by research grants or contract funds, post-doctoral positions, undergraduate positions, visiting assistant professors, and visiting research associates. 

Department

Nicholson School of Communication and Media (NSCM)

Work Schedule

Varies

Type of Appointment

Regular

Expected Salary

Negotiable

The University of Central 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.

As a Florida public university, the University of Central Florida makes all application materials and selection procedures available to the public upon request.  

UCF is proud to be a smoke-free campus and an E-Verify employer. 

For general application or posting questions, please email [email protected].

If an accommodation due to a disability is needed to apply for this position, please email [email protected].