Assistant/Associate Professor of Industrial and Product Design

The School of Art & Design at the University of Wisconsin-Stout invites applications for an Assistant or Associate Professor in Industrial & Product Design, commencing August 2025. This is a tenure-track, 9-month academic year position. Position expectations primarily include teaching at the undergraduate level, graduate level, outreach to industry, creative research, and service to the department, college, and university. UW-Stout's School of Art & Design is NASAD (National Association of Schools of Art and Design) accredited. Course delivery is in-person and in accordance with NASAD standards. The appointment will be at the assistant or associate professor level and rank will be determined at time of hire commensurate with the successful candidate's academic preparation and experience.

*Through the requested materials, candidates should present an interest in advancing student learning in the area of Industrial and Product Design and in alignment with UW-Stout¿s polytechnic tenets of applied learning and research, business and industry partnerships, career focused education.

This advertised position is just one of several opportunities the University of Wisconsin-Stout is searching for this year due to continued enrollment growth in the School of Art & Design. Please visit Careers & Jobs to learn about art and design teaching opportunities currently open at UW-Stout.

APPOINTMENT START DATE: 8/18/2025

QUALIFICATIONS

*Minimum / Required 

• Terminal degree (M.F.A., Ph.D.) in an area relevant to Industrial Design by employment start date
• Demonstrated knowledge and evidence of teaching potential of university courses in industrial & product design and relevant supporting areas (including but not limited to design foundations, design drawing, furniture, technical software, digital and traditional model-making fabrication, research, and/or sustainable design) 
• Commitment to student success

*Highly Desired/Preferred 

• Ability to demonstrate knowledge of contemporary issues and techniques as they relate to industrial & product design 
• Two years minimum professional experience related to industrial & product design; ideal candidates will have experience working on multi-disciplinary collaborations with diverse stakeholders 
• Proficiency in technical software, including (but not limited to) SolidWorks, Rhino, Gravity Sketch, and/or KeyShot 
• Commitment to teaching excellence and mentorship of undergraduates 
• Ability to maintain an active research agenda of scholarship and creative work 
• Demonstrated potential and interest in creating multi-disciplinary collaborations with diverse stakeholders

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Teach studio lab courses each semester, following NASAD guidelines, that may include beginning, intermediate, and advanced courses in the Industrial & Product Design program, the M.F.A. graduate program; the Apparel, Soft Goods, and Footwear minor, or other courses that support the major  
• Demonstrate organizational skills, collegiality, and the potential for future leadership in the Industrial & Product Design program  
• Provide student academic advisement and conduct assessment of student learning. This includes contributing to academic program assessments, accreditation, and continuous improvement processes in collaboration with faculty and staff  
• Develop a productive research program with the potential for refereed scholarship (peer-reviewed publications, peer-reviewed creative scholarship); conduct original research in areas of design  
• Assist in maintaining lab equipment, 3D printers, and facilities   
• Participate in program events and departmental meetings; demonstrate a commitment to teamwork  
• Maintain office hours and a healthy and safe classroom environment  
• Pursue external funding and industry partnerships   
• Collaborate with the Program Director for Industrial & Product Design to develop new/revised curriculum, as required  
• Perform university, community, and professional services  
• Perform other duties as designated by Department Chair

DEPARTMENT INFORMATION

The Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Industrial & Product Design program prepares students for careers in contemporary product design. UW-Stout Industrial & Product Design graduates hold successful careers designing a wide array of products including but not limited to consumer electronic, soft goods, medical devices, footwear, furniture, bicycles and other micromobility products, aquatic vehicles, household and industrial products and equipment, tools, prosthetics, toys, and exhibit design. The success of our students is derived from a program that highlights the intersections of fine art, design, history, sustainability, and a strong liberal arts education. The 120-student industrial and product design program has strong industry partnerships and boasts a 95% placement rate. Student designers have been recognized by the Inspired Home Competition, Core77 Design Awards, The Pensole World Sneaker Championship, IDSA, NASA, RESNA, and many competitions sponsored by industry.

The School of Art & Design (SOAD) has over 85 faculty/staff and over 1,300 students, making it the largest public higher education art and design entity in the upper Midwest. The School of Art & Design student population accounts for roughly 20% of the on-campus undergraduate population at UW-Stout. Our school serves the MFA in Design, MPS in Design, Entrepreneurship & Sustainability, ten undergraduate degrees, and six minors. For more information, please visit: http://www.uwstout.edu/artdes/ 

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

Complete applications received by end of day, December 1, 2024 are ensured full consideration.  Applications submitted after December 1, 2024 may be reviewed at the discretion of the search committee or until position is filled.

To apply, click on the APPLY button or go to: https://www.uwstout.edu/about-us/careers-jobs 

*Required application materials: 

1. Cover letter (**See below) 
2. Curriculum vitae or resume 
3. Names and contact information for a minimum of three (3) professional references who can speak to your skills and abilities for the position
4. Copies of unofficial undergraduate and graduate transcripts 
5. Professional portfolio: Upload a single, multipage PDF including up to 20 samples of personal/professional design work with brief written descriptions. Please include links to interactive and time-based work, if any.
6. Evidence of interest in advancing student learning: Upload a single, multipage PDF including up to 20 examples of student work, syllabi, course materials, mentorship outcomes, leadership training, etc.
7. Teaching philosophy (1-2 pages)

**Please use your cover letter to speak to each of the Minimum/Required Qualifications for this position as listed above. For each required qualification, describe your relevant experience, using specific examples from your work history to illustrate how your experience satisfies the requirement.

Applicants must complete all required fields and attach all required documents before submitting the online application.

Note: Once you have attached your materials and submitted your application, you cannot go into the system and change them.

Before starting the online application process, we recommend you preview the frequently asked questions (FAQs) available at: https://kb.uwss.wisconsin.edu/21900 

It is the policy of UW-Stout to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance, or accommodation in applying because of a disability, please contact us using the information below. Employment opportunities will not be denied because of the need to provide reasonable accommodation for a qualified individual with a disability.

For questions regarding this position or recruitment, please contact:
Search Chair: Erik Evensen
Email: evensene@uwstout.edu 

If you need assistance with the online application process or if you submitted your application prior to uploading all the required application materials, please contact:
Search Coordinator: Rebecca Rother
Phone: 715/232-1097
Email: rotherr@uwstout.edu 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Competitive salary commensurate with qualifications and experience.  The Universities of Wisconsin provides an excellent benefits package including participation in the Wisconsin State retirement plan, demonstrating our commitment to the diverse needs of our employees.

• Benefit Details: https://www.wisconsin.edu/ohrwd/benefits/download/quickguidefasl.pdf  
• To calculate the estimated value of your total compensation, use the Health & Retirement Contributions Estimator | Employee Benefits (wisconsin.edu)

UW-Stout is committed to nondiscrimination in its employment practices and to equal employment opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate against, harass or retaliate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, age, sex (as defined in state and federal law), sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, pregnancy, marital or parental status, genetic information, arrest record, conviction record, military service, veteran status, use or nonuse of lawful products off the employer's premises during non-working hours, political affiliation, declining to attend a meeting or participate in any communication about religious matters or political matters, honesty testing, or any other category protected by law.  

As an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer, UW-Stout welcomes applications from individuals from diverse groups; veterans, individuals with disabilities and from historically excluded populations. At UW-Stout we value our differences and welcome diverse perspectives as we continually commit to developing an inclusive and equitable environment for all employees and students.  

Employment is contingent upon the final candidate's completing a criminal background check and being cleared to work by the Human Resources Office.  Employment is also contingent upon the final candidate passing reference checks and an essential job function test, as applicable. The reference check process includes asking the final candidate and most recent supervisor(s) questions regarding sexual violence and sexual harassment. Final candidates with previous employment within the Universities of Wisconsin and State of WI agencies will be subject to additional reference checks.

Official transcripts required at time of hire.

In response to a public records request, the Universities of Wisconsin will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in their online application, except that the identity of the successful final candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7).

UW-Stout is committed to providing safety and security of all members of our community in accordance with the Clery Act. For campus safety information and crime statistics visit: https://www.uwstout.edu/life-stout/police-and-parking/clery-information 

INSTITUTIONAL OVERVIEW  

University of Wisconsin-Stout, Wisconsin's Polytechnic University, offers an unmatched career-focused education that combines applied learning, theory and research with real-world experience that prepares tomorrow's leaders to drive the future of business and industry. At UW-Stout, our students do more than earn a degree--they do on day one. And we are #StoutProud to produce lifelong learners, ethical leaders and responsible citizens who succeed in a global society.  
 
UW-Stout is recognized nationwide for its operational excellence. We were the first and remain the only full four-year public higher education institution in the nation to receive the Malcolm Baldrige Award, and we are dedicated to a process-improvement model that leverages the power of data and the value of our people. We believe in critical thinking and fact-informed decision making. We pursue sustainability in form and function and collaborate across campus and with our partners to solve problems in industry and society. And providing an equitable, diverse and inclusive environment for our faculty, staff and students to live, learn and work is a top priority.

We offer 50+ undergraduate degrees, 20+ graduate degrees and 30+ professional certificates in Art, Design & Graphics; Business & Management; Education; Human & Social Sciences; Information Technology & Communications; and Science, Engineering & Math. Our first-class digital infrastructure and learning environments provide our nearly 7,000 students with every avenue to explore and personalize their success. As the only laptop+ campus among the 13 Universities of Wisconsin, UW-Stout provides laptops and industry-standard software, open education resources and other technology-driven advantages all included in on-campus undergraduate tuition and fees. And we invest in people who share our vision to advance our position as Wisconsin's only Polytechnic University and as a regional, national and international leader in higher education.  

Be a part of the future at UW-Stout. Learn more at https://www.uwstout.edu/about-us 

University of Wisconsin-Stout is in Menomonie, Wisconsin, a community an hour east of Minneapolis-St. Paul. A pillar of Wisconsin's Chippewa Valley and recognized as one of the best small towns in America, Menomonie provides an idyllic combination of natural beauty, outdoor recreation, boutiques and arts and culture with access to a metropolitan area. For more information about the UW-Stout community and region visit: https://www.uwstout.edu/about-us/our-community