Adjunct Instructor for IDeATe: E-Textiles

Critical Playground LLC; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 20,000 - 36,000; Part time

Job summary

Carnegie Mellon University’s IDeATe program invites applications for a part-time Adjunct Instructor to teach the E-Textiles micro course. The course runs on three consecutive Saturdays during the Fall semester and will meet 10:30-3:30.

The program emphasizes project-based, hands-on learning in a studio setting. The instructor will plan and deliver studio sessions, introduce foundational wearable tech concepts, demonstrate safe use of materials, and guide hands-on exercises while assessing

Qualifications

• Professional or teaching experience in e-textiles, wearable technology, textile-based interaction design, soft electronics, or a closely related field.
• Experience integrating electronic components with textiles, including conductive materials, sensors, LEDs, or microcontrollers.
• Strong fabrication and prototyping skills.
• Ability to teach students with little or no prior technical experience.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Plan and deliver an engaging series of studio sessions.
• Introduce students to foundational concepts in wearable technology and electronic textiles.
• Demonstrate safe use of materials, tools, and equipment.
• Guide students through hands-on exercises and a small creative project.
• Foster a positive learning environment.
• Assess student work and submit grades in accordance with university policies.

Skills

e-textiles

wearable technology

fabrication

teaching

communication skills

Tools

Arduino

Job description

Description

The IDeATe network at Carnegie Mellon University invites applications for a part-time Adjunct Instructor to teach IDeATe E-Textiles, a one-unit undergraduate micro course offered during the Fall semester and will meet 10:30-3:30 on three consecutive Saturdays.

IDeATe micro courses are intensive, hands‑on learning experiences taught over several consecutive sessions. They introduce students from a wide range of majors to emerging creative technologies through project‑based learning.

The E-Textiles course introduces students to the integration of electronics with textiles and soft materials. Students explore techniques for incorporating conductive materials, sensors, lighting, and simple programmable components into fabric-based projects while developing an understanding of both creative design and practical fabrication. The course emphasizes experimentation, making, and iterative prototyping in a studio environment.

Responsibilities

The instructor will:

• Plan and deliver an engaging series of studio sessions.
• Introduce students to foundational concepts in wearable technology and electronic textiles.
• Demonstrate safe use of materials, tools, and equipment.
• Guide students through hands‑on exercises and a small creative project.
• Foster a positive learning environment.
• Assess student work and submit grades in accordance with university policies.

About IDeATe

The Integrative Design, Arts, and Technology (IDeATe) network is Carnegie Mellon University's interdisciplinary undergraduate initiative connecting technology, creative practice, design, and critical inquiry. IDeATe courses enroll students from every college at the university and emphasize experiential, project‑based learning in collaborative environments.

Qualifications

Candidates should demonstrate:

• Professional or teaching experience in e‑textiles, wearable technology, textile‑based interaction design, soft electronics, or a closely related field.
• Experience integrating electronic components with textiles, including conductive materials, sensors, LEDs, or microcontrollers.
• Strong fabrication and prototyping skills.
• Ability to teach students with little or no prior technical experience.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills.

Preference will be given to candidates with:

• Previous college‑level teaching experience.
• Experience working in interdisciplinary art, design, engineering, or maker communities.
• Familiarity with Arduino, CircuitPython, or similar physical computing platforms.
• Experience supporting project‑based learning environments.

Carnegie Mellon University is an equal opportunity employer. It does not discriminate in admission, employment, or administration of its programs or activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy or related condition, family status, marital status, parental status, religion, ancestry, veteran status, or genetic information. Furthermore, Carnegie Mellon University does not discriminate and is required not to discriminate in violation of federal, state, or local laws or executive orders.