Assistant/Associate Professor, Product Design (Physical and Digital)

About the role

The Division of Multi-Disciplinary Design (MDD) is now accepting applications for a full-time Assistant or Associate Professor in design, specializing in product design with expertise in physical and/or digital design. This is a full-time, 9-month faculty position with an expected start date of July 2026. Housed within the College of Architecture + Planning, MDD promotes design education across disciplines through an innovative and applied curriculum.

Responsibilities

• Focus on the design, development, and implementation of physical and/or digital products.
• Guide students from early concept development through prototyping, refinement, and production.
• Work with a range of design tools and processes, including prototyping, CAD, digital fabrication, and/or UX/UI workflows.
• Collaborate with external partners, companies, or community organizations.
• Contribute to curriculum development focused on professional readiness and portfolio outcomes.
• Teach hands-on design studios and applied project courses.

Requirements

• A terminal degree or its equivalent in Industrial Design, Product Design, Interaction Design, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience teaching hands-on design studios and applied project courses.
• Ability to work with a range of design tools and processes, including prototyping, CAD, digital fabrication, and/or UX/UI workflows.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to work across disciplinary boundaries.
• Evidence of research or creative work that connects directly to industry, practice, or production and shows the potential to be published in peer-reviewed exhibits, showcases, publications, etc.

Qualifications

• Minimum qualifications: A terminal degree or its equivalent in Industrial Design, Product Design, Interaction Design, or a related field.
• Preferred qualifications: Experience developing and managing industry-sponsored or client-based projects in design education, recognition through design awards, exhibitions, patents, or professional honors, experience teaching or collaborating in interdisciplinary teams across physical and digital domains, experience mentoring junior faculty (for associate professor rank only).

Benefits

This position offers a competitive salary and benefits package, including health insurance, retirement plans, and professional development opportunities.

Pay

The salary range for this position is $80,000 - $120,000 per year, depending on qualifications and experience.

Schedule

The position is a full-time, 9-month faculty position with an expected start date of July 2026.