Instructor Animation @ Image & Sound Station

Instructor Animation at Image & Sound Station

Our organisation

The Willem de Kooning Academy, Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences (WdKA/RUAS), offers a variety of bachelor and master’s programmes in the field of visual culture, art, design, education in arts, and leisure management. The curriculum of the Willem de Kooning Academy is founded on an interdisciplinary ethos. The Majors are the entry point of study for all Bachelor students; the Practices of the interdisciplinary research contexts in the second half of the Bachelor programs; and the highly unique Stations (advanced workshops focused on Research through Making) complete the three pillars of the institute.

The Stations

The stations are centers of knowledge and expertise. They are both physical and non-physical locations that cover traditional as well as innovative technologies. The stations are at the vanguard of the developments within the professional field and the processes of production that are relevant for the art and design practice. Stations are not only a space of execution and production, but also a space in which tutors, instructors and students question why we make, how we make and for whom we make. Stations are part of a collaborative effort (an educational instrument) to develop a student-driven curriculum that supports self-directed learning.

About the Image & Sound Station

Image and sound are the essential elements of lens-based and time-based storytelling. Lens-based media involves the use of cameras, while time-based media refers to works that unfold over a specific duration. Recorded visuals and audio tap into our instinct to understand events as sequences of cause and effect.

At the Image and Sound Station, we provide four main tools for storytelling: animation, photography, video, and sound. We invite students to explore various approaches and techniques, such as hand-drawn storyboards, CGI animation, photograms, DSLR photography, scene creation with chroma keying, voice-over recordings, and foley sound effects. We aim to help students acquire a solid foundation in key elements for effective idea expression. Additionally, we encourage students to combine different media and experiment with various techniques to bring their narrative to life.

At our Station, we embrace both traditional and modern technologies. The history of photography, animation, film, and recorded sound is one of ongoing technological innovation that continues to shape these art forms. Therefore, we constantly seek out new tools and methods while critically reflecting on how current technologies relate to human experience. However, we avoid pursuing novelty for its own sake and instead focus on creating meaningful experiences through technology.

What are you going to do?

As an instructor you offer instructions in the field of animation and related fields. You guide students individually and in groups in realizing animation projects. You provide students with instructions on the formal and artistic aspects of the storyboarding and animation process. You give individual support to students and assistance to other tutors during classes.

Principal Accountabilities:

• Develop and teach skill-based lessons.
• Maintain the equipment and tools at the station.
• Foster a positive and safe learning environment for students.
• Research new tools and techniques for animation production.
• Create and document educational materials.
• Collaborate with colleagues to plan, create, and deliver skill-based lessons aligned with the academic program.
• Work with tutors and external experts to guide students.
• Recommend and source materials for testing and use.
• Perform other administrative duties as needed.

Are we looking for you?

We are looking for an enthusiastic and curious colleague who can provide instruction in the formal and artistic aspects of the animation process. Consequently, you require professional experience in the fields of storyboarding, animatics, animation principles and character animation. While an understanding of technology is required, the focus of an instructor is not exclusively on specific software. In that light, we also expect that people can look beyond the boundaries between 2D or 3D applications.

Our education promotes a future-oriented approach to artistic practices. We seek an instructor with an active, critical, and investigative attitude towards new technological developments in animation, games, film, generative AI, and immersive media. On top of this:

• You have strong communication and social skills. You can communicate, share, and transfer knowledge in both Dutch and English.
• You have proven work experience in animation and are interested in other forms of art and design beyond animation.
• You have a clear motivation and affinity for education.
• You have basic knowledge of different 2D, 3D and compositing software.
• You have basic knowledge of generative AI models such as Stable Diffusion.
• Knowledge of game engines such as Unity or Unreal is a significant plus.
• You enjoy working in a team within project-based educational formats, and you are independent, result-oriented, and proactive.
• You can create a stimulating and safe learning environment and inspire enthusiasm among students.
• Your level of working and thinking aligns with higher professional education (completed HBO education).

What do we offer you?

Hogeschool Rotterdam offers a temporary employment contract of 0,4 FTE (D4 cao hbo) for the period of one year. Depending on experience, the salary ranges from € 3.233,14 to € 4.376,47 gross per month (salary scale 8) for full-time employment, excluding 8% vacation allowance and 8,3% year-end bonus. Secondary benefits include opportunities for professional training and an attractive pension scheme.

WdKA invests in motivated and well-trained employees. Working at WdKA means that you can use time and facilities for professionalization. A good work-life balance (45+ days off per year for full-time employment, possibility of paid parental leave of 75% and flexible working hours).

We aim at diversity and recruiting colleagues from groups currently underrepresented in our education. We give preference to a candidate who strengthens the diversity within our team in case of equal suitability.

Being able to provide a Certificate of Good Conduct (VOG) is a condition of employment as well as a valid EU work permit if you are from outside the EU.

Closing date: Sunday March 2nd, 2025