Job No. 155003
- Job Title:
- Manager of the Virtual Environments and Gaming Studios
- Employer:
-
VT
- Location:
-
Blacksburg , VA
- Posting Date:
- 26-Feb-2025
- Description:
-
Job Description
The Manager of the Virtual Environments and Gaming Studios leads the Libraries’ efforts to pioneer and support immersive environments research, teaching, and experiential learning as part of the Libraries' Studios Network while reporting to the Assistant Director of Learning Environments and Innovative Technologies. The manager works alongside a team of library employees and student assistants to provide workshops, software and hardware instruction, and expert consultation in the use of XR technologies and software, such as Unity, Blender, Unreal Engine, etc. This position also partners with library and campus units to create and provide instruction on new and emerging XR technology and game development as it relates to academic pedagogy. The Manager maintains the Virtual Environments Studio and Gaming Studio spaces, creating documentation for the technology, researching new technology additions, providing maintenance on hardware, and being present to support projects taking place in the space, and works on XR projects initiated by the University Libraries. In addition, the Manager provides training and hardware and software support to the students in the ARIES program.
Required Qualifications
- Master’s degree in 3D design, creative technologies, computer science, Library and Information Science, or related field
- Demonstrated knowledge of game development and XR hardware and software including but not limited to: Unity, Unreal Engine, Blender, Maya, Godot, Babylonjs, 8th Wall, motion capture, volumetric capture, etc.
- Professional experience providing technology demonstrations, presentations, consultations, and/or classroom instruction in an academic setting
- Demonstrated knowledge in developing virtual reality or augmented reality applications and using other immersive environments technology as part of a work, academic, or personal project
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced and adaptive environment
- Demonstrated experience building relationships across units and promoting a service to potential stakeholders
- Professional experience in an academic or research library environment
- Teaching experience in an academic setting
- Experience managing a budget
Preferred Qualifications
- Demonstrated ability to learn new hardware and software and adapt to emerging technology trends
- Extensive experience working on XR-related or game development projects
- Experience in shaping, implementing, and assessing innovative library initiatives
- Demonstrated knowledge of trends in instructional design, student learning, learning assessment, and assessment of service points
- Experience communicating technology use and best practices with a nontechnical audience
- Experience obtaining grant funding and managing grant-funded research projects