Assistant/Associate Professor of Industrial Design (Tenure-Track)

Design Observer; Champaign (IL); On-site; USD 78,000 - 96,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign invites applications for full-time tenure-track faculty in Industrial Design at the rank of Assistant Professor or Associate Professor. The position emphasizes a design research agenda, undergraduate and graduate education, and interdisciplinary collaboration across engineering, computer science, business, and beyond.

Successful candidates will develop a sustained program of research, scholarship, or creative activity, contribute to curriculum, mentor

Qualifications

• Terminal degree in Industrial Design or closely related field.
• Evidence of emerging research, scholarly, and/or creative agenda.
• Demonstrated potential for excellence in teaching and student mentorship.
• Ability to contribute to undergraduate and graduate education.

Responsibilities

• Teach undergraduate and graduate courses in Industrial Design.
• Mentor and advise students.
• Contribute to curriculum development and program advancement.
• Participate in service activities within the program, School, College, University, and profession.
• Foster interdisciplinary collaborations across campus and beyond.
• Maintain active research, scholarly, and/or creative practice agenda.
• Develop externally recognized contributions to the discipline.
• Pursue externally funded research opportunities where appropriate.
• Supervise graduate student research and creative activity.

Skills

Industrial design

Human-centered design

Design research

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Teaching mentorship

Education

Terminal degree in Industrial Design

Job description

The School of School of Art & Design at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign invites applications for Assistant Professor or Associate Professor in Industrial Design faculty ranks, depending on the candidate's qualifications, experience, and record of achievement.

These positions offer exciting opportunities to contribute to and expand one of the nation's leading Industrial Design programs through design research, creative practice, teaching, and professional engagement. We seek accomplished designer-educators whose work advances industrial design as a discipline that integrates human-centered inquiry, creativity, technology, making, and innovation to address contemporary human, social, environmental, and technological challenges.

For tenure-track appointments, we seek candidates who possess ID core skills with a demonstrated design research agenda that contributes new knowledge, methods, and perspectives to the discipline of industrial design. Successful candidates will be expected to build a sustained program of research, scholarship, and/or creative activity while contributing to undergraduate and graduate education.

Industrial Design at Illinois is grounded in the core competencies of industrial design, including human-centered design, design visualization, prototyping, materials and manufacturing, systems thinking, critical inquiry, and innovation. We are particularly interested in candidates who understand industrial design not only as the development of products and experiences, but also as a means of generating new knowledge, advancing responsible innovation, and creating meaningful impact across physical, digital, social, and environmental contexts.

As part of a world-class research university, faculty in Industrial Design benefit from extensive opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration with colleagues across engineering, computer science, business, healthcare, sustainability, entrepreneurship, and emerging technology initiatives. The successful candidate will join a collaborative community committed to advancing the future of industrial design through research, creative practice, education, and public engagement.

About The Position

The School of Art & Design invites applications for full-time tenure-track faculty positions in Industrial Design at the rank of Assistant Professor or Associate Professor, commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Industrial Design at Illinois embraces a broad understanding of design as a human-centered, interdisciplinary, and future-oriented discipline. Faculty on the tenure track contribute to undergraduate and graduate education, student mentorship, curriculum development, and service, while emphasizing design research, scholarship, and creative activity.

Areas of Research and Creative Practice

Skills

We seek candidates whose research and creative practice are grounded in the core competencies of industrial design and who demonstrate the potential to advance knowledge, methods, and innovation in the discipline. Candidates should combine excellence in industrial design core skills with a clear design research agenda that addresses contemporary human, technological, environmental, and societal challenges. Areas of interest include, but are not limited to:

• Industrial and product design
• Product development and Strategic foresight
• Color, Material, Finishing (CMF) Research
• Human-centered design and experience design
• Design methods and innovation processes
• Emerging technologies / artificial intelligence
• Physical-digital products and interactive experiences
• Manufacturing, and advanced production systems

Candidates should demonstrate the ability to develop a sustained program of research and/or creative scholarship, contribute to graduate education, and engage in interdisciplinary collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Teach undergraduate and graduate courses in Industrial Design
• Mentor and advise students
• Contribute to curriculum development and program advancement
• Participate in service activities within the program, School, College, University, and profession
• Foster interdisciplinary collaborations across campus and beyond
• Maintain active research, scholarly, and/or creative practice agenda
• Develop externally recognized contributions to the discipline
• Pursue externally funded research opportunities where appropriate
• Supervise graduate student research and creative activity

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

Terminal degree in Industrial Design (MFA in Industrial Design, Doctor of Design in industrial design, PhD in Design/ industrial design or product design focused ) or a closely related field

Evidence of emerging research, scholarly, and/or creative agenda

Demonstrated potential for excellence in teaching and student mentorship

Ability to contribute to undergraduate and graduate education

Evidence of research, creative practice, or professional achievement relevant to industrial design

To be considered Associate Professor, established record of research, scholarship, and/or creative achievement

To be considered Associate Professor, recognition appropriate to rank at the national or international level

To be considered Associate Professor, evidence of leadership in research, creative practice, or academic initiatives

Preferred Qualifications

• PhD in a discipline related to design
• Evidence of interdisciplinary research or creative collaboration
• Record of publications, exhibitions, patents, funded projects, or related accomplishments
• Experience teaching design studios and related coursework
• Expertise in emerging areas of industrial design research and practice
• Potential to secure external funding and develop collaborative initiatives
• To be considered for Associate Professor, significant interdisciplinary engagement
• To be considered for Associate Professor, leadership in curriculum development and program advancement
• To be considered for Associate Professor, demonstrated scholarly, creative, or professional impact at national or international levels

Desired Candidate Profile

The strongest candidates will demonstrate excellence in industrial design fundamentals, including human-centered design, design process, visualization, prototyping, communication, critical thinking, and innovation. They will contribute to a collaborative academic culture while advancing a significant design research agenda and will help prepare students to become leaders in the evolving field of industrial design.

Application Materials

Required Application Materials Include

Cover letter

• Please describe the strategies you would develop collaborative research opportunities, and strengthen your research profile within the university and the broader academic community.
• Please describe your creative and teaching practices and how they could contribute to industrial design teaching and creative practice within the Industrial Design program.
• Please discuss potential connections between your practice and research areas
• Candidates may also use the cover letter to describe how their professional or educational background prepares them for either the Assistant or Associate Professor rank.

Curriculum vitae

Teaching statement

Research Statement

Portfolio of creative work

• PDF or link to an online portfolio
• Please identify your role in collaborative or professionally produced work when appropriate.

Samples of syllabus, if available

Samples of student work, if available

Names and contact information for three references

• Name, Title, Email, and Phone Numbers

Appointment Information

This is a 100% full-time, nine-month Tenure-Track Assistant/Associate Professor appointment (paid over 12 months). The expected start date is August 16, 2027.

The salary range for the position is $78K-$96K (Asst $78K-$84K, Assoc $91K - $96K). We strive to provide a competitive salary, considering factors such as available market data, internal equity, candidate’s experience and qualifications, and budget constraints.

This position is eligible for sponsorship for work authorization, except for sponsorship of a new H1B petition that would incur the $100,000 fee.

Application Procedures & Deadline Information

Applications must be received by 6:00pm (Central Time) on December 15, 2026.

Applications not submitted through jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered.

For further information about this specific position, please contact Bobbie Clegg at [e-mail]. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position; however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.

This position is intended to be eligible for benefits. This includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.

Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodation portal, or by contacting the Office for Access & Equity at 217-333-0885, option #1, or [e-mail].