Eugene, USA
Assistant professor in product design
at The University of Oregon
The University of Oregon is hiring an assistant professor in product design to join its faculty in Eugene, USA.
Position overview
The Department of Product Design at the University of Oregon is accepting applications for tenure-track faculty position (assistant professor rank) with a start date of 15 September 2024. The position is a 1.0 FTE, nine-month, full-time faculty position.
Primary responsibilities and position description
Primary teaching responsibilities will be focused on the Sports Product Design Master’s programme and fourth year Product Design BFA on the University of Oregon Portland campus, with additional interdisciplinary responsibilities, including graduate MS thesis advising and mentorship, advanced studios and experimental courses. The University of Oregon operates on a system of three ten-week quarters with a typical load of five courses per year. Service responsibilities include committee contributions, advising and participation in shared governance. In addition to teaching and service responsibilities, the successful candidate will be expected to demonstrate a commitment to a sustained and developing research and/or creative practice, with an active and ongoing professional record.
Qualifications
A Masters or PhD degree in a design-related field and a minimum of three years practicing design in the sports product industry is preferred. We are interested in candidates with a proven track record of investigation in apparel and/or footwear and/or equipment design for athletic performance, with a focus on sustainability, environmental resilience, enhancing performance and health, reducing the risk of injury, promoting inclusivity and sports as a driver for political and social change with strong skills in prototyping and manufacturing. Interdisciplinary research in human physiology, biomechanics and/or psychology is also desirable. Candidates are expected to build a strong record of research and creative practice. The University of Oregon is committed to creating a more inclusive and diverse institution and seeks candidates with demonstrated potential to contribute positively to its diverse community. The salary is commensurate with qualifications.
Reporting/supervising authority
All faculty in the Department of Product Design report to the department head and director of the SPD Master’s programme.
Department
The University of Oregon’s strong liberal arts tradition offers a rich and flexible curriculum that allows undergraduate students to select from many course offerings in business, anthropology, human physiology/biomechanics, chemistry and environmental studies along with the major requirements. The interdisciplinary nature of product design studies and practice is reflected in the courses required for the product design majors.
The Department of Product Design is within the School of Art and Design in the College of Design. The Department of Product Design is one of the fastest growing departments in the College of Design at the UO. Since its inception in 2008, the department has produced two successful programmes – the BFA in Product Design and MS in Sports Product Design. The first three years of the Product Design’s BFA programme are in Eugene, Oregon, and the senior year of BFA is in Portland, Oregon. The MS in Sports Product Design is fully based in Portland, Oregon. The SPD programme is the only master’s degree of its’ kind nationally and internationally. Founded in 2016, the mission of the SPD programme is to develop graduates proficient in applying science and creative problem-solving methods to innovate sport products that push boundaries in society and human performance.
Minimum requirements:
- a Master or PhD degree in a design related discipline (product design, apparel design, design engineering, Interaction design)
- a minimum of three years practicing professional design in the sports product design and product design industry
Preferred qualifications:
- two years college teaching experience in the product design field
- established research and creative practice in the sports product design field
- record of innovative and effective pedagogy in the sports product design field
University and community
The University of Oregon is the flagship institution of higher learning in Oregon and enrols more than 20,000 undergraduate and 3,600 graduate students. It is an Association of American Universities member and tier-one research institution that is ranked ‘highest research activity’ by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. The UO programmes in art and design are accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design.
Application deadline
To ensure consideration, please submit application materials by 15 January 2024. The position will remain open until filled.
Applications should include:
- a cover letter outlining the position that the candidate is applying, specific interests, qualifications
- a statement of research and/or creative practice; teaching philosophy, objectives, qualification and experience
- a current curriculum vitae
- a portfolio of representative research, practice and student work completed under the candidate’s direction
- a list of three references with addresses, telephone numbers and email addresses
The Department of Product Design is dedicated to building a diverse community that is committed to teaching and working in an inclusive environment. Contributions to diversity, equity and inclusion might address:
- understanding of inequities in academia and the field of product design faced by historically underrepresented or disadvantaged groups
- evidence of initiatives, mentoring or teaching that aim to reduce barriers for underrepresented or disadvantaged groups
- evidence of creative projects or research interests that address or incorporate issues that involve or affect diverse groups
- examples of how you envision new activities and pedagogical projects that will support and expand an accessible, diverse and inclusive education in product design
The University of Oregon is committed to creating a more inclusive and diverse institution and seeks candidates with demonstrated potential to contribute to the achievement of this goal. The Department of Product Design seeks to further this commitment and encourages applications from underrepresented groups.