Industrial Design

Department of Design

College of Arts and Sciences

Position Overview

The Department of Design at The Ohio State University invites applications for a tenure track Assistant or Associate Professor of Industrial Design to start August 15, 2024. The successful applicant will possess the promise of or expertise in the principles of Industrial Design practices as they apply to the research and development of products, services, experiences, and networks that anticipate and envision future needs.  

We seek a colleague whose research examines materials & processes within broader design contexts (e.g., advanced or novel materials, biomaterials, sustainability), and emphasizes transdisciplinary, collaborative, or ethics-oriented areas of practice (e.g., community-engaged design, discursive design, transitional design, design justice, emerging technologies/AI). The successful appointee might contribute to community-engaged research and creative activity associated with Ohio State’s DESIS Lab, CDME, ACCAD and/or other OSU Centers and Institutes. The ideal candidate will have the capacity to teach a diverse body of students at the undergraduate and graduate levels and will the department’s long-standing commitment to cultivating greater diversity of the design professions.

Education and Experience Requirements

Required: Terminal degree – MFA, PhD preferred, ABDs welcome to apply – in Industrial Design, Product Design, or a related field. Terminal degree in hand by August 15, 2024. Candidates applying at Associate rank do not need to be tenured at their current institution.

Desired: Experience as a design educator and/or design practitioner is desirable. Candidates should demonstrate a commitment to building a culturally diverse intellectual community, in line with OSU’s Shared Values (see below).

How to Apply

Apply to the Careers at Ohio State website at https://osu.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/OSUCareers/job/Columbus-Campus/Assistant-or-Associate-Professor-of-Industrial-Design_R89499-1. A competitive application consists of the following required elements: a cover letter, curriculum vitae, separate research and teaching statements, a portfolio of professional and/or student work, and three letters of reference.

You will be presented with the opportunity to attach up to FIVE documents in the Application Documents section. Please include the following:

• Attachment 1: Cover Letter: 1-2 page letter, which should include a brief summary of your academic background and why you are interested in this opportunity.
• Attachment 2: CV (Curriculum Vitae): Detailed overview of your scholarly experience, including your research experience, teaching and mentoring experience, professional practice, service, funding, and publications.
• Attachment 3: Research Program description including current activities, works in progress, and long term scholarship goals.
• Attachment 4: Teaching Statement: A statement that articulates your pedagogical approach and two course ideas you would like to develop (including learning objectives).
• Attachment 5: Portfolio of professional and/or student work.

References: You will be sent an email with instructions to provide names and contact information for three reference letters following submission of your application materials.

Review of applications will begin on November 13, 2023 and will continue until the position is filled. Inquiries may be directed to the search committee chair, Asst. Prof. William Nickley at nickley.3@osu.edu.

The College

With more than 80 majors and 100 minors, the College of Arts and Sciences is the academic heart of the university. The Arts and Sciences provides extraordinary opportunities to collaborate across disciplines, blending creativity and analysis to truly be at the forefront of thought. The breadth and depth of knowledge in the college gives students and researchers the critical thinking and adaptability essential for a lifetime of success. 

Department Information

The Department of Design offers three undergraduate majors (BSD Industrial Design, BSD Interior Design, and BSD Visual Communication Design), a Design Thinking minor, and two tracks of graduate study (MFA Design Research & Development, MFA Digital Animation & Interactive Media). Our undergraduate program features a year of Design Foundations followed by competitive major acceptance for small cohorts of 18-20 students, and an emphasis on research and cross-major collaboration. Our three-year graduate program admits 8-12 MFA students annually, the majority of which are fully funded. The diversity of our design faculty’s expertise and the value we place on collegiality and collaboration are points of departmental pride.

The University

Ohio State is a top-20 public university, and its Ohio State Wexner Medical Center is one of America’s leading academic health centers and recently ranked No. 4 on Forbes’ list of best U.S. employers for diversity. Eligible Ohio State employees receive comprehensive benefits packages, including medical, dental and vision insurance, tuition assistance for employees and their dependents, and state or alternative retirement options with competitive employer contributions.

The Ohio State University’s Shared Values include Excellence and Impact, Diversity and Innovation, Inclusion and Equity, Care and Compassion, and Integrity and Respect. Our university community welcomes differences, encourages open-minded exploration and courageous thinking, and upholds freedom of expression.

Ohio State is a dynamic community where opportunity thrives, and individuals transform themselves and their world. Positions are available in countless fields and specialties. Become a Buckeye and contribute to an incredible legacy that serves to guide our future and shape a better tomorrow.

The Ohio State University is committed to enhancing academic excellence. Recruiting, supporting, and retaining faculty of the highest caliber is a core component of this commitment. The Office of Academic Affairs (OAA) has established Dual Careers and Faculty Relocation (DCFR) to focus on supporting new and prospective faculty and their loved ones. Service offerings include dual careers partner consultations, identifying potential employers and/or employment opportunities, consultation and resources related to relocation, as well as identifying opportunities to engage on campus and in the surrounding community. While employment opportunities are not guaranteed, resources and consultation are provided to support the partners of new and prospective faculty as they are considering or transitioning to The Ohio State University.  

In addition to being responsive to dual-career opportunities, we strongly promote work-life balance to support our community members through a suite of institutionalized policies.  Ohio State is an NSF ADVANCE institution and a member of the Ohio/Western Pennsylvania/West Virginia Higher Education Recruitment Consortium (HERC).

Located in Ohio’s capital city, Ohio State’s Columbus campus is near the center of a rapidly growing and diverse metropolitan area with a population of over 1.5 million. The area offers a wide range of affordable housing, many cultural and recreational opportunities, excellent schools, and a strong economy based on government as well as service, transportation, and technology industries. Additional information about the Columbus area is available here. In addition to  its Columbus campus, Ohio State has four regional campuses including Ohio State Lima, Ohio State Mansfield, Ohio State Marion, and Ohio State Newark, in addition to Ohio State ATI in Wooster. 

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity or expression, genetic information, HIV/AIDS status, military status, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status.

Final candidates are subject to successful completion of a background check. A drug screen or physical may be required during the post offer process.