Assistant Professor, Industrial Design, College of DAAP

Assistant Professor, Industrial Design, College of DAAP

Founded in 1819, the University of Cincinnati ranks among the nation’s best urban public research universities. Home to more than 47,000 students, 10,500 faculty and staff and 330,000 alumni, UC combines a Top 35 research university with a physical setting The New York Times calls “the most ambitious campus design program in the country.”

With the launch of Next Lives Here, the Cincinnati Innovation District, a $100 million JobsOhio investment, eight straight years of record enrollment, worldwide leadership in cooperative education, a dynamic academic health center and entry into the Big 12 athletic conference, UC’s momentum has never been stronger. UC’s annual budget tops $1.6 billion and its endowment totals $1.9 billion.

About the College
The College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning (DAAP) at the University of Cincinnati invites applications for Industrial Design faculty position in the top-ranked Myron E. Ullman, Jr. School of Design (SoD). This is a full-time, 9-month, tenure-track Assistant Professor position, to begin on August 15, 2023.

The primary mission of the College of DAAP is the creation of a better cultural and design environment. The School of Design’s role in advancing that mission is to prepare our approximately 1,000 undergraduate and graduate students to be responsible professionals and citizens in a complex and evolving world. We achieve this through a distinctive, rigorous, carefully sequenced curriculum that includes a substantial cooperative education program component dating back 100 years. This curricular model, expressed in classrooms, research labs, and professional offices all over the world, integrates practice and theory. It inspires interdisciplinary projects, builds solid corporate partnerships, and contributes to our strength as a leading design institution.

About the Industrial Design Program
The Industrial Design Program is recognized as a highly rated program both nationally and internationally. It offers its students several gateways into the field with two formal pathways: Product Design and Mobility Design Systems. Faculty members are experienced in progressive design research and methods demonstrated through practice. They translate unique perspectives and experiences into the studio classroom to complement the inquisitive problem-solving culture of the program. The program is based on a solid foundation that includes design theory and research, design visualization and communication, user centered approaches, and social and environmental responsibility in a unique 5-year curriculum alternating education and professional practice experiences. Faculty members research or work creatively in a broad range of areas.

Job Overview
Recently, the University of Cincinnati’s Industrial Design program transitioned its Transportation Design curriculum to Mobility Systems Design. We are looking for a candidate who can bring a fresh perspective to the emerging challenges in mobility methods and opportunities facing future cities, and how we move within and between them. Mobility Systems Design complements the well-established Product Design curriculum that explores a plethora of design initiatives.

The Industrial Design program is continually ranked amongst the highest in the world and is part of a tier one research university. This academic tradition continually produces exceptionally talented/motivated undergraduate and graduate students. With their unique perspectives, they convert classrooms into studio laboratories of innovation. To assist the applicant and to build collaborative research partners, the University provides many centers of excellence, including the recently established Digital Futures Center where one of the cornerstone initiatives is the Future of Mobility Lab.

This full-time teaching position requires the faculty member to develop and deliver course content, projects, and supporting materials for design methods and skill-based demonstrations. This includes integrated theoretical and practical design assignments emphasizing user experience and systems design, with an understanding of the importance of clear/concise/ and exciting visual communications in 2D and 3D analog and digital media.

Essential Functions

• Primary responsibilities: teaching, maintaining an active research agenda/creative practice, and service to various School, College, and/or University committees, such as curriculum or thesis. Candidates will be expected to conduct and publish research in their area of expertise and, in time, will also be expected to provide leadership in bridging the theory and practice of Industrial Design to form and mentor teams of faculty and students for research initiatives and curricular development within the program. The typical Industrial Design teaching load is 15 credit hours per academic year, which entails developing and delivering course content, project overviews, and supporting materials for skill-based demonstrations. These activities incorporate theory, practice, emerging topics, and professional applications in Industrial Design. The instruction includes but is not limited to creative problem-solving, conceptual ideation, digital/analog design communication, 3D fabrication/prototyping, aesthetic execution, and professionalism. Teaching will primarily occur at the undergraduate level but may include opportunities to teach in the Master of Design program. Candidates are expected to maintain current knowledge and skills related to the field of Industrial Design, which include but are not limited to systems design, sustainability, ergonomics/human factors, design for accessibility, theory, methods, interprofessional collaboration, materials and processes, digital and analog 2D/3D design communication, interactive prototyping, and product service design.

Minimum Requirements
All the following are required prior to effective date of the appointment:

• Master's degree in industrial design or related field. One year industry experience in the field of industrial design or related field. One academic term (post-graduate degree) of University-level teaching experience in industrial design or related field.

Application Process
The position is available August 15, 2023. Review of applications will begin January 1, 2023 and continue until the position is filled. For more information about the School of Design and the Programs, please visit: https://daap.uc.edu/academics/sod

To be considered for this position, please apply online at https://bit.ly/3N78d2N and upload:

• CV/Resume. Cover Letter. Statement of Teaching Philosophy. Names and Contact Information of three (3) references. Portfolio of Candidate Work (submit as a link or web address). Portfolio of Work Created by Students Under Candidate Teaching – if applicable (submit as a link or web address).

Please use the additional documents feature as needed for these items.

Compensation and Benefits
UC offers a wide array of complementary and affordable benefit options, to meet the financial, educational, health, and wellness needs of you and your family. Eligibility varies by position and FTE.

• Competitive salary range dependent on the candidate's experience. Comprehensive insurance plans including medical, dental, vision, and prescription coverage. Flexible spending accounts and an award-winning employee wellness program, plus an employee assistance program. Financial security via our life and long-term disability insurance, accident and illness insurance, and retirement savings plans. Generous paid time off work options including vacation, sick leave, annual holidays, and winter season days in addition to paid parental leave. Tuition remission is available for employees and their eligible dependents. Enjoy discounts for on and off-campus activities and services.

FOR ALL FACULTY HIRES OFFICIAL ACADEMIC TRANSCRIPTS WILL BE REQUIRED AT THE TIME OF HIRE

The University of Cincinnati, as a multi-national and culturally diverse university, is committed to providing an inclusive, equitable and diverse place of learning and employment. As part of a complete job application you will be asked to include a Contribution to Diversity and Inclusion statement.

As a UC employee, and an employee of an Ohio public institution, if hired you will not contribute to the federal Social Security system, other than contributions to Medicare. Instead, UC employees have the option to contribute to a state retirement plan (OPERS, STRS) or an alternative retirement plan (ARP).

The University of Cincinnati is an Affirmative Action / Equal Opportunity Employer / Minority / Female / Disability / Veteran.