Career Center

Position Overview:

In order to prepare our students to confront the real challenges of our time, every College of Design graduate from the University of Minnesota will:

• Be able to apply design thinking as a way to address issues big and small confronting the local and world community
• Understand and be prepared for the social, environmental, and economic ramifications of each problem they address and every decision they make in their work
• Not only be able to conceive unique ideas, but be capable of implementing those ideas through actionable plans, projects, or strategies

The College of Design welcomes all applications and are specifically seeking part-time Teaching Specialists/Lecturers in the area of Product Design for the 2021-2022 Academic Year. The Teaching Specialist/Lecturer will teach a designated course/courses based on the needs of the department.  

Applications are reviewed as openings occur, and individual applicants are invited to interview when their skills or areas of expertise match an opening. This posting is designed to establish a pool of instructors. Applications will be reviewed when openings occur throughout the academic year/summer.

Current Openings:

For Fall 2021 there is one opening for a position. There is a need for a secondary instructor to assist with teaching Fall capstone studio (25% time). The primary instructor is responsible for the course, and the secondary instructor would assist the primary instructor in providing critiques, grading, and lecturing on occasional topics related to the product design process. This position will need to be able to meet in-person on the designated dates and times for the course (Mondays and Wednesdays from 9:05am-12:05pm during Fall 2021 semester). Any openings for Spring 2022 are TBD at the time of posting.

Appointment Details:

This is a temporary, non-tenured, Academic Professional and Administrative (P&A) position, paid on a per course basis. These appointments are typically arranged semester by semester or for the summer and employment is contingent upon the course meeting its enrollment target.

This appointment is specifically for Fall 2021, Spring 2022 and Summer 2022.

Responsibilities:

• Provide instructional delivery based on the course objectives and student learning outcomes defined by the program faculty and within the time scheduled for the course.
• Meet with lead faculty for the course to ensure a solid understanding of the course objections and prescribed learning outcomes.
• Teach class each week as scheduled.
• Communicate with students via their University of Minnesota email account only.
• Hold office hours each week to allow students access to them outside of the classroom.
• Contribute to and support the mission of our land-grant institution.
• Instructor is encouraged to participate in department committees and in portfolio review (if applicable).

Required Qualifications:

• A Master's or Bachelor's degree plus substantial professional recognition in the subject field or a closely related discipline
• Professional teaching experience at the collegiate level
• Evidence of competence to teach in content area is required
• Proven excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Evidence of attention to cultural diversity in teaching

Preferred Qualifications:

• A terminal degree in your subject field, Ph.D. or MFA is required in the subject field or a closely related discipline
• Technologically innovative approach to teaching
• Experience working collaboratively with academic departments and in the community