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Job Description
About the Job
Position Overview:
The Product Design Program in the College of Design, University of Minnesota – Twin Cities
seeks to fill a Lecturer or Teaching Specialist position to teach critical core courses at the
undergraduate (and potentially graduate) level. We seek highly qualified individuals with
expertise in product or industrial design and a demonstrated record of effective teaching and
industry experience.
This product design program is primarily based on industrial design blended with elements of
engineering and business. It is the fastest-growing program in the College of Design and
attracts students internationally and across the nation. The program benefits from location in the
Twin Cities, a major metropolitan area with the largest number of Fortune 500 companies per
capita, a vibrant and engaged design community, and a strong spirit of entrepreneurship. There
are numerous opportunities to develop connections across the University and with businesses
and communities statewide, nationally, and globally. We invite you to share your experience and
vision in a community of practice with colleagues who are actively engaged in shaping the
future. We are committed to attracting candidates from historically underrepresented groups,
knowing that diversity enriches the academic experience and provides a knowledge base for
innovation.
Appointment Details:
These are a 100%-time, nine-month (academic year), annually renewable, academic
professional appointment at the level of Lecturer or Teaching Specialist. The expected start date
is August 29, 2022, with the initial appointment term ending May 28, 2023. Renewal is dependent
upon performance, funding, and the needs of the Product Design Program. Salary and rank is
commensurate with experience and qualifications.
Job Responsibilities:
Contribute to a cutting-edge, rigorous, and successful Product Design program.
The duties for this position include:
• Teach 6 undergraduate (or potentially graduate) courses in the Product Design program
• Supervise student teaching assistants
• Mentor undergraduate students
• Attend and contribute to class critiques and program events
• Contribute to the ongoing development of the Product Design curriculum
• Participate in program, department, and collegiate committees and meetings
• Develop and maintain a relationship with our industry partners, as appropriate
• Contribute to and support the mission of the land grant institution
Benefits
• Competitive Salary
• Full benefits including Medical, Dental, and Vision
• Continuing Education allowance
• Competitive retirement options
• Professional development
For a full list of benefits, please visit https://humanresources.umn.edu/benefits
Qualifications
Required Qualifications:
• A degree in industrial design (Bachelor’s or Masters)
• The ability to teach one of the following sets of courses/skills or a combination of
courses from the sets:
o Studios with Physical Modeling (1st and 2nd year Product Design studios, user
research, model making, form development, ergonomics, human factors, design
for manufacture, material selection, integrated technology)
o Digital Design (Concept visualization using Wacom Tablets, Digital sketching and
rendering, general Adobe Suite software, Solidworks, Keyshot, Alias or Rhino,
and portfolio design and presentation skills)
• The ability to teach one of the following sets of courses/skills or a combination of
courses from the sets:
• Studios with Physical Modeling (1st and 2nd year Product Design studios, user
research, model making, form development, ergonomics, human factors, design for
manufacture, material selection, integrated technology)
• Digital Design (Concept visualization using Wacom Tablets, Digital sketching and
rendering, general Adobe Suite software, Solidworks, Keyshot, Alias or Rhino, and
portfolio design and presentation skills)
• Evidence of diversity and inclusion in teaching and/or scholarship or creative production.
• Evidence of strong collaborative and interpersonal skills
To be hired as a Lecturer: Master’s degree or equivalent industry experience with at least one
degree in industrial design.
To be hired as a Teaching Specialist: Bachelor’s degree in industrial design plus considerable
product design industry experience.
Preferred Qualifications:
• Graduate degree in industrial design (MFA, MID, MDES, MS, etc)
• Industry experience in product design
• Evidence of effective teaching
• Technologically innovative approach to teaching
• Experience in program and/or curricular development
• Experience working collaboratively with academic departments and/or in the community
• Evidence of teaching or creative production that incorporates technology and/or
engineering elements into product design
About the Department
Minnesota is recognized as a progressive state and the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul,
as one of the major design centers in the United States. Well known for its high quality of life,
the Twin Cities metropolitan area offers world-caliber museums and theaters, an exceptional
parks system, outstanding historical landmarks, excellent educational opportunities, and access to a highly-regarded health care system. The Twin Cities are also home to 17 Fortune 500
companies, thriving local businesses, and a strong non-profit sector.
The College of Design is situated within the Twin Cities campus of the University of Minnesota,
which hosts an unusually broad range of disciplines, faculty, and students. The College of
Design includes programs in apparel design, architecture, graphic design, human factors and
ergonomics, interior design, landscape architecture, product design, and retail merchandising.
The College offers rich opportunities for interdisciplinary research and public engagement
through research and engagement centers, including Wearable Product Design, Digital Design,
the Goldstein Museum of Design, Metropolitan Design, and Sustainable Building Research.
Product design offers a Bachelor of Science degree and a Master of Science degree in Design,
with a focus on Product Design, including thesis and non-thesis options. Both a graduate and an
undergraduate minor are also offered. The programs benefit from partnerships and other
productive relationships with highly-ranked University of Minnesota colleges, departments, and
programs, such as mechanical engineering, computer science, anthropology, and the Carlson
School of Management.
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will have the opportunity to complete an online
application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.
Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your “My Job
Applications” page and uploading documents in the “My Cover Letters and Attachments”
section.
To be considered for this position, applicants must submit the following materials:
• Submit your letter of application;
• Curriculum vitae
• Brief electronic portfolio (no more than 15 pages) of original design work
• Creative practice and student work
• A statement of teaching philosophy (1 page maximum)
• Contact information for three references. (References will not be contacted unless
candidate proceeds to the interview round)
Candidates selected for interview must submit an additional teaching portfolio including samples of syllabi and teaching evaluations. For more information, visit our website at:
http://product.design.umn.edu
This position will remain open until filled. Priority consideration will be given to applications
received by April 15th. To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail [email protected] or call (612) 624-UOHR (8647). Inquiries about the application and search process may be addressed to Austin Voigt, HR Generalist, at [email protected].
Diversity
The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the
employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The
University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and
backgrounds.
The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities,
and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age,
marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender
identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu.
Employment Requirements
Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check.
Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions
do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.
Please note: All employees at the University of Minnesota are required to comply with
the University’s Administrative Policy: COVID-19 Vaccination and Safety
Protocol by either providing proof of being fully vaccinated on their first
day of employment, or complete a request for an exemption for medical
exemption or religious reasons. To learn more please visit:
https://safe-campus.umn.edu/return-campus/get-the-vax
About the U of M
The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research
universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a
multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation’s
most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and
St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international
corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations
