Product Design Professor (Open Rank) - Human-Centered

ULSA University of Louisville; United States; On-site; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Louisville invites applications for a tenure-track Professor of Product Design, Open Rank. We seek a practitioner-scholar whose work bridges human-centered design, three-dimensional form development, and hands-on fabrication.

The successful candidate will guide students through the full design process, from ideation, research, and prototyping to finished form, while emphasizing sustainable and materially responsible practices.

Qualifications

• Terminal degree in Product Design, Industrial Design, or a closely related field; ABD considered.
• Experience teaching at university level and mentoring students.
• Expertise in human-centered design, form development, fabrication, and prototyping.
• Strong portfolio demonstrating conceptual rigor and material exploration.
• Commitment to inclusive pedagogy and student mentorship.

Responsibilities

• Teach undergraduate and graduate courses in drawing, form-giving, fabrication, prototyping, and human-centered research methods.
• Contribute to curriculum development and interdisciplinary initiatives.
• Mentor students through portfolio development, internships, independent study, and capstone projects.
• Maintain an active program of creative practice, scholarship, and/or professional design activity.
• Collaborate with the J.B. Speed School of Engineering on shared programs and interdisciplinary initiatives.

Skills

Human-centered design

Form development

Fabrication

Prototyping

Portfolio

Inclusive pedagogy

Education

Terminal degree in Product Design, Industrial Design, or related field (MFA, MID, or equivalent) – ABD considered

Job description

The University of Louisville invites applications for a tenure-track Professor of Product Design, Open Rank. We seek a practitioner-scholar whose work bridges human-centered design, three-dimensional form development, and hands-on fabrication.

The successful candidate will guide students through the full design process, from ideation, research, and prototyping to finished form, while emphasizing sustainable and materially responsible practices.