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University of Utah

Associate Professor or Full Professor

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Posting Details

The University of Utah, an AA/EO employer, encourages applications from all qualified individuals, and provides reasonable accommodation to the known disabilities of applicants and employees. The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students, staff, faculty and patients from all backgrounds and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education, employment opportunities, and quality healthcare for historically underrepresented groups.

Position Information

Proposed Faculty Rank

Associate Professor or Full Professor

Department

01508 - Games

City

Salt Lake City, UT

Track

Tenure Track

New Position to Begin

7/1/2026

Details

The Division of Games at the University of Utah invites applications for a tenure-track Associate or Full Professor in Games to begin in Fall 2026. We seek a scholar whose primary area of expertise is Game Artificial Intelligence (Game AI): the design, application, and study of computational intelligence methods that drive, shape, and enhance games and interactive experiences. Candidates should demonstrate the ability to develop analytic frameworks, methods, or tools that advance game science and enhance game development practice. Relevant subareas include, but are not limited to: procedural content generation, intelligent non-player characters and agents, adaptive and personalized gameplay, interactive narrative in games, AI for content and/or design, multi-agent systems in games, computational creativity, AI for virtual production and virtual worlds, and explainable or ethical AI in games. We especially welcome applicants who connect these areas to broader domains of games research and practice, and who are eager to lead collaborations across disciplines.

Hires will be part of the PRESS PLAY Initiative (https://games.utah.edu/pressplay/), a significant, multi-year commitment for faculty growth in the Division of Games that seeks to build the division into a world-leader in both games research and teaching. The successful candidate will join a collegial and supportive community dedicated to advancing both research and pedagogy in games who are excited to help define the division’s research enterprise. They will share our vision of the power that games hold to transform players, groups, and society, and will fully join in our effort to build the expanded character of Utah Games.

Applicants should hold a terminal degree in a games-related technical field (e.g., Ph.D. in Computer Science, Informatics, Computational Media, computationally focused social sciences) by the time of appointment. At the rank of Associate Professor, candidates must demonstrate a distinguished record of high-impact publications, a strong track record of securing competitive external funding, evidence of leadership in collaborative research, and a commitment to excellence in teaching and mentoring students at all levels. At the rank of Full Professor, candidates must show an internationally recognized record of scholarly achievement, sustained success in securing major external funding, demonstrated capacity for academic leadership at scale, and evidence of significant impact on the advancement of their field.

Successful candidates are expected to sustain a nationally and internationally recognized program of research supported by external funding. They should demonstrate the ability to produce influential scholarship, foster interdisciplinary collaborations, and contribute to the Division’s role as an academic leader in games. Candidates will also be expected to contribute meaningfully to university, professional, and disciplinary service.

About the Division of Games at the University of Utah

The Division of Games at the University of Utah is one of the world’s leading academic programs in games, ranked #1 among public institutions for three years in a row. Now in its fifteenth year, the Division spans technical, artistic, design, and analytic domains, advancing both the creation and the study of games as a transformative medium. The Division is in the second year of a five-year growth period through the PRESS PLAY Initiative, a major investment in new faculty lines, funding, and facilities that expands opportunities for cutting-edge research, teaching, and collaboration.

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—all just minutes from campus.

EEO/Non-Discrimination Information

All qualified individuals are strongly encouraged to apply. Veterans’ preference is extended to qualified applicants, upon request and consistent with University policy and Utah state law. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities.

The University of Utah is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and does not discriminate based upon race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, or protected veteran’s status. The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and 34 CFR part 106. The requirement not to discriminate in education programs or activities extends to admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and its regulations may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, to the Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, or both.

To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability or if you or someone you know has experienced discrimination or sexual misconduct including sexual harassment, you may contact the Director/Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action (OEO/AA). More information, including the Director/Title IX Coordinator’s office address, electronic mail address, and telephone number can be located at:
https://www.utah.edu/nondiscrimination/
Online reports may be submitted at oeo.utah.edu

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.

Special Instructions for Candidates

All qualified individuals are strongly encouraged to apply. Review of applications will begin immediately. Priority will be given to candidates who submit their materials by December 1, 2025. We anticipate finalist interviews will take place before February, though dates are subject to change.

Application Instructions

To apply, candidates must submit the following materials:

Current CV
Cover Letter: Clearly state your interest in the position, identify the specific area(s) of expertise for which you wish to be considered, and explain how your experience and professional goals align with the Division’s needs.
a teaching statement that articulates your philosophy of teaching and learning, describes prior teaching and mentoring experience, and outlines how you would contribute to our undergraduate and graduate curricula.
A research statement that provides a focused discussion of your research experience and future plans, including your strategies for funding, scholarly impact, and advancing knowledge in games.
Contact Information for three references.

Each of these materials must explicitly demonstrate how your qualifications meet the requirements for a successful candidate as outlined in this position description. Applicants should take care to directly connect their experience, expertise, and future plans to the stated expectations of the role.

Open Date

11/01/2025

Close Date

Open Until Filled

Yes

Requisition Number

PRN01436CF

Type

Faculty

Posting Specific Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

Cover Letter

Curriculum Vitae

Teaching Statement

Research Statement

List of References

Optional Documents

Historical Only – Do Not Use – See Description for More Information – Appropriate discharge document (such as DD-2214) – Veteran Only

Historical Only – Do Not Use – See Document Description for More Information – Addendum to the University of Utah – Veteran Only

Open Date

11/01/2025

Close Date

Open Until Filled

Yes

Requisition Number

PRN01436CF

Type

Faculty

Posting Specific Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

Cover Letter

Curriculum Vitae

Teaching Statement

Research Statement

List of References

Optional Documents

Historical Only – Do Not Use – See Description for More Information – Appropriate discharge document (such as DD-2214) – Veteran Only

Historical Only – Do Not Use – See Document Description for More Information – Addendum to the University of Utah – Veteran Only

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