About the job

Details

The Division of Games at the University of Utah invites applications for a tenure-line Assistant Professor in Games, with a focus on games and human values, to begin July 1, 2027.

This hire is part of the PRESS PLAY Initiative (https://games.utah.edu/pressplay/), a $25 million, multi-year investment by the University of Utah in the faculty, facilities, and programs of the Division of Games. PRESS PLAY is growing both our teaching faculty and our research faculty, and new colleagues will help shape the next stage of games education and research at the U.

We seek a scholar whose research examines the nature and value of games and play. We are especially interested in candidates working in the aesthetics and philosophy of games: the ontology of games, the value of play in individual and social contexts, and how games relate to other art forms, including digital and interactive art. Relevant approaches include aesthetics and the philosophy of art from the analytic tradition that complement our existing strengths in that area.

The successful candidate will build an externally recognized research program and will teach undergraduate and graduate courses on games, which may include topics in aesthetics, ethics, the philosophy of games, and/or critical play. They will mentor graduate students and work with Division leadership and faculty to strengthen the study of games as a cultural and human practice across our curriculum. We welcome candidates whose work connects with our collaborative efforts with the Department of Philosophy, the Kahlert School of Computing, the College of Fine Arts, the other units within the College of Architecture and Planning, or the University’s planned Institute for Digital Experience.

Necessary Qualifications

• A PhD or equivalent terminal degree in philosophy, aesthetics, or a related field related to the philosophy of games, by the start date

• Broad knowledge of games as a medium and of game development practice, sufficient to teach in-person courses across the Division’s undergraduate and graduate curricula on the Salt Lake City campus

• Demonstrated depth of expertise in games and human values, the aesthetics of games, and the philosophy of games

• Evidence of research productivity appropriate to career stage and progression, such as publications in leading games, philosophy, or aesthetics venues

• Demonstrated commitment to teaching and/or mentoring undergraduate and graduate students in lectures, seminars, and/or studio simulations

• Demonstrated potential to contribute to university and professional service, such as collaborative curriculum development, outreach to local industry and government partners, or recruitment

Preferred Qualifications

• Research in the aesthetics of games, the philosophy of art, the nature of play and interactivity, or the value of games

• An understanding of game development practice, or experience making games

• Experience using games as objects of critical analysis in the classroom

• Ability to develop new courses in emerging areas of games scholarship

About the Division

The Division of Games, in the College of Architecture + Planning, is a world leader in games education, with consistently top-ranked programs at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. The Utah Games faculty includes artists, philosophers, games studies scholars, designers, and computer scientists who collectively work together on the mission to push the boundaries of what is possible in games. This plurality of backgrounds is one of the core elements within our identity. We strongly value inter- and transdisciplinary approaches to research and education, and seek to foster collaboration across the University of Utah. Currently, our faculty sustain ongoing collaborations with other departments within our College of Architecture and Planning, as well as the School of Medicine, the Colleges of Education, Humanities, Science and Engineering, and other campus partners. The University of Utah has remarkable strengths between the Division of Games and the Department of Philosophy targeting scholarship in the philosophy of games. Additionally, we maintain strong collaborations with the vibrant local game development community and other significant game industry-wide partners.

Our unit is committed to being a responsible member of our campus and professional community, and we strive to recruit and support faculty committed to acting in furtherance of our unit’s values. Interested candidates may view these values by visiting https://games.utah.edu/utah-games-values/

If you are interested in joining us to build a culture of academic excellence; to create ideas that advance our understanding of games; to share those ideas with our students, communities, and society; and to apply those ideas to change the world for the better, we strongly encourage you to apply.

About the College of Architecture and Planning

The University of Utah College of Architecture and Planning (CA+P) is a community of award-winning faculty, entrepreneurial students, and support staff that together form a creative community unlike any other. The College is home to four academic units: the School of Architecture, the Department of City and Metropolitan Planning, the Division of Games, and the Division of Multi-Disciplinary Design, as well as multiple research centers and collaboratives. Across these units are top-ranked academic programs, outstanding researchers with a strong commitment to addressing defining issues of our time, and a record of unsurpassed societal impact. As part of a campus that values innovation and interdisciplinarity, the College is transforming its disciplines and training graduates to become leaders and changemakers in the built and virtual environments globally. More information is available at cap.utah.edu.

About the University of Utah

The University of Utah is a Carnegie Research I institution located in Salt Lake City, nestled in the breathtaking foothills of the Wasatch Mountains. With thriving arts and culinary scenes, and an exploding high technology sector, Salt Lake City offers a unique mix of urban life juxtaposed with access to remarkable national parks, ski resorts, hiking and climbing, and more, just minutes away from campus.

Notice

The University is a participating employer with Utah Retirement Systems (“URS”). Eligible new hires with prior URS service may elect to enroll in URS if they make the election before they become eligible for retirement (usually the first day of work). Contact Human Resources at (801) 581-7447 for information. Individuals who previously retired and are receiving monthly retirement benefits from URS are subject to URS’ post-retirement rules and restrictions. Please contact Utah Retirement Systems at (801) 366-7770 or (800) 695-4877 or University Human Resource Management at (801) 581-7447 if you have questions regarding the post-retirement rules.

This position may require the successful completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen.

[

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This report includes statistics about criminal offenses, hate crimes, arrests and referrals for disciplinary action, and Violence Against Women Act offenses. They also provide information about safety and security-related services offered by the University of Utah. A paper copy can be obtained by request at the Department of Public Safety located at 1658 East 500 South.

Special Instructions for Candidates

All qualified individuals are strongly encouraged to apply. Review of applications will begin immediately and proceed until the position is filled. The position will start either January 1, 2027 or July 1, 2027, depending on the timing of hiring and availability of the candidate.

Application Materials

To apply, candidates must submit the following materials:

• Current CV

• Cover letter describing your interest in the position, identifying the area(s) of expertise for which you wish to be considered in evaluation and summarizing your research expertise and personal academic goals.

• A Teaching Statement that addresses your experience and plans for teaching and student mentoring.

• A Research Statement describing your current and planned research specific to the research areas described above.

• Up to three publications representing your relevant scholarship.

• Contact information for three references.

These materials should make clear how the applicant meets each of the necessary qualifications for the position and, at the candidate’s discretion, how the applicant meets our preferred qualifications beyond the necessary ones.