Asst Professor-Educator, Communication Design, Myron E. Ullman,Jr. School of Design, College of DAAP

About

Founded in 1819, the University of Cincinnati ranks among the nation's best urban public research universities. Home to more than 53,600 students, 12,000 faculty and staff, and over 360,000 living alumni, UC is a Carnegie 1 institution and the anchor of the Cincinnati Innovation District. It operates the oldest cooperative education (co-op) program in the country, with students earning $94 million annually through paid experiences, and is a member of the Big 12 Conference. The university contributes $10.6 billion in economic impact to the city and $22.7 billion to the state of Ohio.

The College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning (DAAP) invites applications for a non-tenure-track Communication Design faculty position in the top-ranked Myron E. Ullman, Jr. School of Design at the rank of Assistant Professor - Educator. Up to two qualified candidates may be hired. The College's primary mission is the creation of a better cultural and design environment. The School of Design advances this mission by preparing undergraduate and graduate students to be responsible professionals and citizens through a distinctive, rigorous curriculum that includes a substantial cooperative education component dating back more than 100 years, integrating practice and theory across classrooms, research labs, and professional offices worldwide.

The Myron E. Ullman, Jr. School of Design houses Communication Design, Fashion Design, Industrial Design, and Master of Design (MDes) programs. The Communication Design Program is nationally and internationally recognized. Its Bachelor of Science in Communication Design provides a platform for discovery, experimentation, and specialization through strong foundational skills, critical and cultural theory, experiential learning, craft and conceptual development, technological literacy, and elective coursework allowing students to author individual curricular pathways. Students build a foundation in visual problem-solving through a sequential curriculum including graphic, interaction, and motion design studios, with hands-on professional practice exposure.

Job Overview

This is a full-time, 9-months per year (non-tenure track) position with a workload distribution of 90% teaching and 10% service commitments to committees at various levels. The typical Communication Design teaching load for an Educator is 8 (3 credit) courses per academic year. Primary responsibility focuses on delivering high-quality undergraduate instruction, with potential opportunities to teach at the graduate level in communication design (such as Design Aesthetics and Typography). The position is available on August 15, 2027.

Responsibilities

• Teach primarily at the undergraduate level in Communication Design (e.g., Motion Design, Core Topics in Motion Design, Design Aesthetics) with potential opportunities to teach at the graduate level (e.g., Design Aesthetics, Typography, and foundational studios)
• Develop and deliver engaging, student-centered instruction
• Prepare syllabi, assignments, and assessments aligned with program outcomes
• Maintain current expertise in core areas of communication design practice sufficient to teach and mentor across the program's curriculum
• Evaluate and update course materials and curriculum aligned with evolving industry standards
• Advise students, evaluate student coursework, maintain accurate academic records and grading, and provide timely feedback to support students' career readiness and professional growth
• Serve on school, college, and/or university committees (e.g., curriculum committees, search committees)
• Course development, project supervision, and foundational skill-based instruction across graphic, interaction, and motion design

Requirements

• Master's degree in Communication Design or a related field (required prior to the effective date of appointment)

Application Requirements

To be considered, submit the following via the online application:

• CV/Resume
• Cover Letter
• Statement of Teaching Philosophy
• Names and Contact Information of Three References
• Portfolio of Candidate Work (submit as a link or web address)
• Portfolio of Work Created by Students Under Candidate's Teaching, if applicable (submit as a link or web address)
• Description of teaching experience, to include courses taught and use of instructional technology, if applicable

Review of applications begins December 14, 2026, and remains open until the position is filled. For more information about the School of Design and the Communication Design program, visit daap.uc.edu/academic-programs/school-of-design/communication-design.html.

Benefits

UC offers an exceptional benefits package designed to support well-being, financial security, and work-life balance. Eligibility may vary by position and FTE status. Highlights include:

• Comprehensive Tuition Remission for employee and eligible dependents, covering tuition costs for nearly all undergraduate and graduate programs offered by the university
• Robust Retirement Plans: employees do not contribute to Social Security (except Medicare); choose between state pension plans (OPERS, STRS) or an Alternative Retirement Plan (ARP), with UC contributing 14–18% of salary based on position
• Generous time-off policy: vacation and sick time, 11 paid holidays plus additional end-of-year paid time off (Winter Season Days), 6 weeks of paid parental leave for new parents
• Competitive salary based on experience
• Comprehensive health coverage (medical, dental, vision, prescription)
• Flexible spending accounts & wellness programs
• Professional development & mentorship opportunities