Adjunct Faculty - Interactive Media and Game Development (IMGD)

📋 Description

• • Shape the next generation of interactive storytellers, game designers, and digital artists as an Adjunct Faculty member in WPI’s nationally recognized Interactive Media and Game Development (IMGD) program. You will deliver inspiring day and/or evening courses at both undergraduate and graduate levels, bringing cutting-edge industry practice and rigorous academic insight into every classroom session.
• • Design and teach courses that span the breadth of IMGD: game design theory, interactive narrative, 2-D/3-D art pipelines, level design, user-experience research, game engine programming, audio design, serious games, and emerging XR technologies. You will have the autonomy to craft syllabi that balance foundational concepts with hands-on, project-based learning that mirrors professional studio culture.
• • Mentor diverse student teams as they move from ideation through rapid prototyping to polished capstone projects. Your guidance will directly influence portfolios that land graduates roles at AAA studios, indie start-ups, and research labs worldwide.
• • Integrate your own professional or research practice into the curriculum—whether that is shipping commercial titles, publishing peer-reviewed papers, or exhibiting interactive installations. Students thrive when they see faculty actively contributing to the field, and WPI encourages you to bring real-world case studies, guest collaborators, and live briefs into the classroom.
• • Collaborate with full-time faculty on program innovation, accreditation reviews, and new course development. Adjuncts are valued partners: you will be invited to curriculum planning meetings, industry advisory boards, and interdisciplinary research clusters that span computer science, humanities & arts, robotics, and data science.
• • Leverage WPI’s state-of-the-art facilities, including motion-capture stages, VR/AR labs, sound design suites, and high-end game development workstations. You will have access to the latest software licenses (Unity, Unreal, Maya, Houdini, Adobe CC, Reaper, Wwise, etc.) and technical support staff who ensure your classes run smoothly.
• • Foster an inclusive learning environment that reflects WPI’s commitment to creativity, collaboration, and social responsibility. You will engage students from over 50 countries, actively promoting equitable participation and mentoring under-represented groups in tech and media arts.
• • Maintain flexible scheduling options: choose to teach one course per semester or several, depending on your availability. WPI’s seven-week term system (A- and B-terms) allows for concentrated teaching blocks that fit around consulting, studio work, or research travel.
• • Participate in end-of-term showcase events where student games and interactive experiences are exhibited to industry recruiters, alumni, and the broader Worcester community. Your role includes curating these exhibitions and providing critical feedback that helps students refine their professional pitch and networking skills.
• • Contribute to WPI’s global project centers by advising IMGD students on off-campus, real-world Interactive Qualifying Projects (IQPs) and Major Qualifying Projects (MQPs). These immersive experiences often partner with NGOs, museums, healthcare providers, and entertainment studios, extending your impact far beyond the classroom.