UCSB PaCE Part-Time Instructor - UX/UI Design

UC Santa Barbara; Santa Barbara (CA); On-site; USD 22,000 - 47,000; Part time

Job summary

UC Santa Barbara's PaCE seeks a part-time, non-tenure track UX/UI Design instructor to lead a studio-style sequence on-site in Santa Barbara.

You will design course structure, develop online instructional materials, and lead hands-on projects that move from research to prototype, all while ensuring alignment with current web standards and professional practices. Strong portfolio and teaching materials are required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in CS, Web Development, Design, or 4 years of related experience.
• Minimum 3 years of UI/UX design professional experience.
• Professional UX/UI portfolio.
• Indicate expertise areas and describe course topics in the cover letter.
• Curriculum Vitae (most recently updated).
• Cover Letter.
• Statement of Teaching (Optional).
• UX/UI Portfolio.
• 2-4 references (contact information only).

Responsibilities

• Design course structure with modules, lessons, and learning objectives.
• Develop online instructional materials including video-based lessons, slides, and supporting content.
• Create hands-on coding projects and assessments aligned with course outcomes and real-world use cases.
• Plan engaging learning activities that support applied skill development.
• Update course content periodically to align with current web standards, tools, and professional practices.
• Clearly communicate learning objectives, course expectations, and grading policies.
• Respond to student questions and learning needs in a timely, professional manner.
• Evaluate student performance and assign grades based on established learning outcomes.
• Submit final grades within university timelines and maintain appropriate student records in accordance with university policies.

Skills

UI/UX design

JavaScript

Figma

AI tools in design

User research

Mentoring students

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Web Development, Design, or related

4 years of web development or UX/UI experience

Tools

Figma

Video editing tools

Web development

Job description

UC Santa Barbara’s UCSB PaCE seeks a part-time, non-tenure track UX/UI Design instructor to lead a studio-style, research-to-prototype learning sequence on-site in Santa Barbara.

Responsibilities

• Design course structure, including modules, lessons, and learning objectives
• Develop and refine online instructional materials, including video-based lessons, slides, and supporting content
• Create hands-on coding projects and assessments aligned with course outcomes and real-world use cases
• Plan engaging learning activities that support applied skill development
• Update course content periodically to align with current web standards, tools, and professional practices
• Clearly communicate learning objectives, course expectations, and grading policies
• Respond to student questions and learning needs in a timely, professional manner
• Evaluate student performance and assign grades based on established learning outcomes
• Submit final grades within university timelines and maintain appropriate student records in accordance with university policies

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Web Development, Design, or related discipline OR 4 years of experience in web development, software engineering, or UX/UI
• Minimum 3 years of professional experience in UI/UX design or related design experience
• Professional UX/UI portfolio
• Indicate professional expertise areas (examples provided: front-end development, JavaScript, UI/UX design, or related areas) and, in the cover letter, describe specific course topics you are most qualified to teach and/or develop
• Curriculum Vitae (most recently updated)
• Cover Letter
• Statement of Teaching (Optional)
• UX/UI Portfolio
• 2-4 required references (contact information only)

Preferred Qualifications

• 5+ years of professional experience in UX/UI design
• Experience with Figma
• Experience conducting qualitative research and usability testing
• Experience mentoring junior designers or students
• Experience working on digital products or services from concept through testing
• Experience incorporating AI tools into contemporary design workflows
• Experience collaborating with external clients, stakeholders, or organizations
• Experience with user-centered design and research

Position Details

• Job type: Part time
• Location: Santa Barbara, CA (onsite)
• Salary estimate: USD 2,000 - 4,250 per monthly course
• Open date: October 13, 2026
• Next review date: Tuesday, Oct 27, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
• Final date: Wednesday, Mar 31, 2027 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
• Screening begins immediately after the initial review date; some appointments may begin as early as the 2027 Winter quarter
• Appointments are offered on a course-by-course basis; length depends on course section schedule(s)
• Appointments may be renewable based on need, funding, and performance
• Use of an instructor pool does not guarantee an open position exists at the time of application
• The pool closes on March 31, 2027; if the position is re-advertised after that date, a new application is required

Course Approach (Position Overview)

• Create a studio environment where students learn by doing
• Support student research, concept development, prototype building, idea testing, responding to critique, and communicating their work
• Lead learning that is not lecture-based
• Help students navigate ambiguity rather than teaching a prescribed software workflow
• Emphasize curiosity, evidence, experimentation, iteration, and identifying opportunities that may not be obvious initially
• By sequence end, students develop work including: research, experience maps, UX/UI concepts, Figma prototypes, usability testing evidence, MVP work, and portfolio-quality case studies

Technologies

• Figma
• JavaScript
• AI tools

Additional Notes

• As a condition of employment, the finalist must disclose whether they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining misconduct
• Must comply with the University of California Policy on Vaccination Programs (as amended)
• UC is an Equal Opportunity Employer