Specialist - Teacher-Fixed Term

Working/Functional Title

Professor of Practice - Games & Interactive Media

Position Summary

The Department of Media and Information (M&I) at Michigan State University (MSU) seeks to hire an in-person, full-time Professor of Practice in Games and Interactive Media at our beautiful and vibrant East Lansing, Michigan campus. We envision an experienced game developer with a compelling portfolio and vision of the contributions creative work can make to this exciting, evolving medium. Ideal candidates would have a background and experience in game programming. We welcome applications with relevant experience from disciplines such as interactive and immersive media, computer science, simulation, and animation. The expected start date is August 15, 2026.

Our undergraduate Game Design and Development program at MSU was ranked No. 1 in the Midwest (No. 3 among public universities) and the graduate program was rated No. 1 in the Midwest (No. 2 among public universities) by Princeton Review in 2025. M&I is part of College of Communication Arts and Sciences, which has a prestigious national and international reputation, reflected in consistent top-tier rankings — including No. 5 in Communication (Shanghai, 2024), No. 16 in Communication and Media Studies (QS, 2025), and No. 9 in Language, Communication and Culture (URAP, 2024) as well as through approximately 200 peer-reviewed publications annually and 34 elected Fellows of the International Communication Association.

This position involves developing and delivering curriculum for undergraduate and/or graduate courses in game programming, covering topics such as game engine architecture, rendering, physics, AI, and networking. There will be an opportunity to contribute to a broad range of undergraduate and graduate courses and develop new ones based on the candidate’s specific expertise. However, expert level experience and proficiency in either C# or C++, along with development experience with either Unity3D or Unreal game engines is a requirement, although experience with both are ideal. Additionally, professional experience making and publishing games or related interactive media products is essential. While not required of the position, Professors of Practice in M&I are supported and encouraged to work on creative projects and funded research. The typical teaching load is 4/3 with opportunities for course reductions based on extramural funding or special assignments.

An advanced degree, such as a MA, MS, MFA or Ph.D., or commensurate experience is required. We welcome applications from individuals from a broad range of disciplinary and methodological traditions who thrive in a vibrant academic environment.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Degree

Masters

Minimum Requirements

• An advanced degree, such as a MA, MS, MFA or Ph.D., or commensurate experience is required. We welcome applications from individuals from a broad range of disciplinary and methodological traditions who thrive in a vibrant academic environment.
• Expert level experience and proficiency in either C# or C++, along with development experience with either Unity3D or Unreal game engines is a requirement.
• Professional experience making and publishing games or related interactive media products.

Required Application Materials

1. A cover letter summarizing your game design experience and teaching qualifications
2. A curriculum vitae (CV) and/or portfolio
3. The names and contact information for three qualified individuals willing to serve as your recommenders to the search committee if letters are requested. 

Special Instructions

To apply, please visit the Michigan State University Employment Opportunities website (https://careers.msu.edu), refer to Posting #1076772, and complete an electronic submission. Review of applications will begin on October 1, 2025, and continue until the position is filled. We plan to begin campus interviews in mid-January. Please direct any questions to Brian Winn, Search Committee Chair, Department of Media and Information at Michigan State University, at

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As an institution of higher learning, Michigan State University is committed to providing a safe environment for its students, faculty, and staff in support of its educational mission. With this commitment, the University conducts criminal background checks and professional misconduct reviews of all applicants for employment in faculty, academic staff, and executive management searches.

Professional Misconduct Review

A professional misconduct review is a prerequisite for a candidate to be selected for this position. Applicants will be asked to disclose whether they are subject to any pending investigation, findings or sanctions related to professional misconduct. Professional misconduct includes misconduct related to a person’s employment, including, but not limited to, theft, embezzlement, research integrity, discrimination, or harassment under civil rights laws and policies, including protected identity harassment, sexual harassment, sexual misconduct (sexual assault, sexual exploitation, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, etc.), and retaliation. All applicants will be asked to sign an authorization and release, which authorizes the University to contact the candidate’s current and former employers, for a period of 7 years prior to the date of application, related to any pending investigations, findings of responsibility and/or sanctions related to professional misconduct. Nothing will be sent to current or former employers unless the candidate reaches the semi-finalist stage.

The existence of professional misconduct history does not automatically exclude a candidate from employment. The University will assess the information, including any information provided by the candidate, in determining whether the candidate is fit for the position. The University may decline to hire a candidate based on the professional misconduct review. All records obtained from external employers will be kept in a secure location, separate from personnel files. If an applicant fails to sign the authorization and release, the application will be deemed incomplete and will be withdrawn.

Review of Applications Begins On

10/01/2025

Website

https://comartsci.msu.edu/departments/media-and-information/media-and-information-degrees-and-programs

Department Statement

The M&I faculty, including tenure-stream, professors of practice, and fixed-term faculty, come from a range of disciplines, including communication, information science, media, human-computer interaction, management, psychology, sociology, economics, science and technology studies, and design to complement and create a unique intellectual energy. Our faculty advance theory and research, build human-centered technology, design traditional and interactive games and media experiences, work with policy makers, and pursue new forms of scholarship. Our department is a member of the iSchools consortium and has a top ranked program in communication, and game design and development.

The Department is housed in MSU’s world-renowned College of Communication Arts and Sciences at Michigan State University. Established in 1955, as the first of its kind in the country, “ComArtSci” is now one of the largest and most respected colleges of Communication in the world. The College of Communication Arts and Sciences combines a research-intensive faculty with a strong professional mission to prepare students for rewarding careers and to influence the professional practice of communication globally.

MSU is one of the nation’s largest and greenest campuses and is in East Lansing, a college town just three miles from Michigan’s capital, Lansing. Michigan, the Great Lakes State, offers countless things to do, see and experience — from art galleries, concerts and restaurants to gardens, parks, and trails. You needn’t venture far to discover sandy beaches or metropolitan life.

MSU Statement

Michigan State University has been advancing the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years. One of the top research universities in the world, MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges.