Assistant/Associate Professor, Interaction Design
- Employer
- The University of Kansas
- Location
- University of Kansas Lawrence Campus
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- Position Type
- Tenured & Tenure-Track
- Employment Type
- Full Time
- Institution Type
- Four-Year Institution
Job Details
We seek a dynamic and enthusiastic colleague who will explore and innovate in interaction design, developing new applications, tools, and techniques while maintaining a robust research agenda. The successful candidate will work closely with faculty to develop and implement the curriculum. Candidates with experience in research, teaching, curriculum development, and professional practice will stand out, though we also encourage recent master’s degree graduates eager to launch a career in research and teaching to apply. The department offers a collegial, collaborative, and energetic environment, working alongside award-winning students and nationally recognized faculty. Our undergraduate programs include Animation, Illustration, Interaction Design, Industrial Design, and Visual Communication Design, as well as MA degrees in Design.
We are particularly interested in candidates who present innovative and critical approaches to interaction design, data visualization, user interface, user experience, and emerging technologies. The successful candidate will have:
• A pioneering mindset and the ability to navigate new industrial challenges
• The ability to work closely with industrial partners, collaborate with colleagues, and inspire students
• A strong interest in multidisciplinary work at the intersection of practice, education, and research
• Expertise that bridges screen-based interactive systems and physical computing
• The ability to integrate theoretical, historical, and practical knowledge with craft-based methodologies, while embracing a cross-platform approach to creation
About the University of Kansas
The University of Kansas is a Carnegie doctoral/research-extensive university with a $1.4 billion endowment and a faculty of 2,600. Current enrollment is over 30,000 (20,600 undergraduate), with students drawn from 116 nations and all 50 states. The 1,000-acre main campus is in Lawrence, a community of 95,000 in hilly northeast Kansas that lies about 35 miles west of Kansas City. Lawrence has a lively downtown and a thriving arts and music scene, and its local government has enacted ordinances supporting equality for all members of its population. Lawrence also offers numerous sports and recreational opportunities, local shops, and a wide range of restaurants.
KU’s excellence is a result of the rich tapestry of experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds of our faculty, staff, students, and colleagues from across our nation and the globe. At KU, we invest in continuous learning and growth by creating a climate where people engage in respectful dialogue and debate and support each other’s success. We foster a culture of care where each person is seen, heard and valued. When people feel a true sense of belonging, we believe they are better able to reach their full potential and achieve remarkable things.
The successful candidate must be eligible to work in the U.S. by the effective date of the appointment.Job Description40% - Teaching/Advising – Teach courses in Design, as well as courses open to all other majors. Instruct at the undergraduate and graduate level. Typical teaching expectations will be a 2-2 load. Participate in the planning and integration of existing and new coursework and technologies in the Interaction program. Candidates must also meet departmental expectations in terms of student advising.
40% - Research – Conduct research, creative, and/or professional work that focuses on issues of interaction design. Disseminate this work through peer-reviewed publications and conferences. Seek external funding to support a focused research agenda.20% - Service – Serve the department, university, state, and the profession. This includes attending departmental meetings, participating in committees and boards, and performing select administrative departmental functions.Required QualificationsRequired Qualifications for all candidates:
- Master’s degree in interactive design, human-computer interaction, interaction design, user experience design, user interface design, multimedia design, product design, visual communication, or related field.A strong portfolio demonstrating expertise in teaching, research, and/or industry experience, specifically in the areas of interaction, user interface, user experience, experiential design, and/or emerging technologies.Ability to teach at the undergraduate level.Ability to demonstrate a commitment to collaborate and support faculty colleagues, develop curriculum, and help expand interaction design studio offerings. Demonstrated excellent written and oral communication skills and a strong collaborative spirit for teamwork and service.
- An established record of teaching that is consistent with the department’s standards for promotion to the rank of Associate Professor.An established record of research/creative/professional work that is consistent with the department’s standard for promotion to the rank of Associate Professor.
A complete application packet will include the following items:
- A letter describing your qualifications and interest in the position (2 pages max)
- Curriculum vitae
- Statement of teaching philosophy (2 pages max)
- Statement of research interest(s) and/or professional practice agenda (2 pages max)
- A digital portfolio of recent research/creative work and/or professional practice (up to 20 examples)
- A digital portfolio f recent student work if available (up to 20 examples)
- Examples of syllabi (if available)
- Complete contact information for three references
Search Committee Chair
Jeshellh@ku.edu
Advertised Salary Rangecommensurate with experienceApplication Review BeginsMonday December 2, 2024Anticipated Start DateMonday August 18, 2025Apply to Job
Organization
Working at the University of Kansas
Join the University of Kansas, and you’ll become part of a Jayhawk family that spans the globe. Wear your KU shirt in London, Istanbul, Buenos Aires, Nairobi or anywhere else, and you will likely hear a resounding “Rock Chalk!” from a stranger. Of course, the appropriate response is an enthusiastic “Jayhawk!” Because, after all, they’re not really strangers, they’re family.
The Jayhawk community is united by more than 150 years of tradition and by our commitment to pushing the boundaries of knowledge, transforming the academic experience, and creating solutions through innovative research. KU’s mission is to lift students and society by educating leaders, building healthy communities and making discoveries that change the world.
The University of Kansas is the state’s flagship university and one of just 66 invited members of the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU). We consistently earn high rankings for academics and recognition as a premier research university.
KU faculty and staff embrace our role as the state’s flagship university, AAU member and R1 institution that serves the state, nation and world. We celebrate the energy and compassion that infuse the Jayhawk spirit; and, we remain true to KU’s historic values: the elevating force of education, the transformative power of research and the healing power of service.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging
The University of Kansas is committed to a learning and workplace environment that is representative of our nation and global society, accepts and values everyone, appreciates our common humanity and understands that our multiple differences are the cornerstone of academic preparation, professional excellence and distinction. KU must be a place where all people feel they belong and have access to resources and support that help them attain their educational and professional goals.
We recognize there are inequalities and privileges generated by historical and persistent intersecting differences by race, ethnicity, gender identities, gender expressions, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, age, abilities, religion, regional background, veteran status, citizenship status and nationality. And we hold ourselves accountable for policies, processes and programs that appreciate these and other differences and create more fair, safe and just learning, working and living environments for KU students, faculty and staff.
Instruction
KU offers a broad array of undergraduate and graduate study programs, and we fulfill our mission through academic and research programs of international distinction, coupled with outstanding libraries, teaching museums and information technology. These resources enrich the academic experience for students from all 50 states and 112 countries, and provide enrichment resources for KU faculty and staff.
Research
The university attains high levels of research productivity and recognizes that faculty are part of a network of scholars and academicians that shape a discipline as well as teach it. KU staff are integral to our research success, participating in and supporting discoveries that expand knowledge and improve lives.
Service
The university and our employees serve society through research, teaching and the preservation and dissemination of knowledge. KU's academic programs, arts facilities and public programs provide cultural enrichment opportunities for the larger community. And, KU offers educational, research and service programs throughout the state. KU employees are encouraged to participate in and serve the campus and surrounding communities in a way that is meaningful to them.
International Dimension
KU offers more than 100 programs of international study and cooperative research for KU students and faculty at sites around the world. The university offers teaching and research that draw upon and contribute to the most advanced developments throughout the United States and abroad. At the same time, KU's extensive international ties support economic development in Kansas.
Values
The University of Kansas, our students and employees are committed to excellence. We foster a multicultural, inclusive environment in which the dignity and rights of individuals are respected. Intellectual diversity, integrity and disciplined inquiry in the search for knowledge are of paramount importance.
Our City and State
KU sits atop Mt. Oread in the center of Lawrence, a town full of natural beauty and culture. In fact, Rolling Stone magazine named Lawrence one of the best college towns in the United States. Lawrence is home to more than 100,000 people, and has a charming, Midwestern friendliness that welcomes visitors and celebrates diversity. In addition to KU, Lawrence is home to Haskell Indian Nations University, the premiere tribal university in the United States.
Lawrence’s historic and thriving downtown features restaurants, nightlife and local shops offering unique finds that you won’t find anywhere else. The town has more than 50 parks, an encompassing mixed-use trail, and quick access to biking/hiking trails along the Kansas River and around Clinton Lake. A five-minute drive from Lawrence, Clinton Lake offers fishing, boating, beaches, camping and other outdoor activities.
Located just 40 minutes west of Kansas City, Lawrence offers the appeal of a mid-size, suburban town with quick access to the amenities of a large city, including an international airport. The Kansas City metro area is home to world-class museums and cultural activities, Jazz clubs and other nightlife venues, expansive shopping options, and exciting professional sports with the Kansas City Chiefs, Kansas City Royals and Sporting KC.
Kansas is in the center of the country, making it convenient and cost effective to fly or drive to destinations throughout the United States. Far from flat, the Flint Hills, just 90 minutes from Lawrence, offer panoramic vistas that showcase the breathtaking beauty of America.
Making KU Your Home
Something about Lawrence is magnetic. Long-time residents are never surprised when a KU student or employee from out of state decides to make Lawrence their permanent home. And, even those who do leave often find themselves returning to “the nest” at some point in the future. In fact, Lawrence has been named by several publications as one of the best places to retire.
At the University of Kansas, you’ll join a global Jayhawk family and find a place to call home.
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