Job Summary
The Department of Product Design at the University of Kentucky is currently accepting applications for a Temporary Assistant Professor non-tenure-eligible for the 2026-2027 academic year. We are seeking individuals who are passionate about design education and the critical role educators play in equipping students for careers across the spectrum of product design practice. This position is open to a wide range of backgrounds and experiences in the product design field and while preferred teaching experience in higher education is not required. This position is a full-time 9-month appointment with an anticipated start date of August 1 2026 and an appointment period of one year to end May 15 2027.
Job Summary
This position supports the educational mission of the Product Design program focusing on quality instruction across studio lecture andor workshop courses in our newly revised undergraduate curriculum. Applicants should have a strong understanding of human-centered design processes as applied to the development and delivery of physical andor digital products systems or services. Ideal candidates should be qualified and able to teach at any level of our four-year undergraduate program and contribute to multiple courses within the curriculums course series
Studios hands-on applied projects
Means of Communication drawing visualization graphics
Means of Production CAD materials prototyping UXUI and Design Contexts history ethics professional practice
opportunities to offer special topic electives courses also exist in this role. This is a teaching position with no expectation of research however the selected candidate will contribute to service activities of the Department of Product Design.
Please apply directly via the UK Jobs System. A complete application must include and will be evaluated based on the following materials
· Cover letter
· Current curriculum vitae or resume highlighting relevant academic andor professional experience
· Examples of teaching andor professional practice 10 pages maximum upload as Specific Request 1
Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue as needed until a pool of qualified candidates is established or the position is filled. Questions regarding the position should be directed to Adam Feld Chair of the Department of Product Design or Jennie Boyd Faculty Resource Manager jennie.boyduky.edu . For more information about the Department of Product Design the College of Design and the University of Kentucky please visit httpsdesign.uky.edu
Skills Knowledge Abilities
To meet the programs vision of breadth and depth in design education we welcome candidates with experience in any of the following areas
• ProductIndustrial Design • Medical Device and System Design • Digital ProductInteraction Design • Design Research • Visual Communication • Computer Aided Design • Ergonomics and Human Factors • Design Foundations • Design Discourse • FabricationManufacturing • Traditional andor Emerging Materials and Processes • Entrepreneurship • Machine LearningArtificial Intelligence • AugmentedVirtualMixed Reality • Soft Goods andor Textiles Design • Experimental Design Practice
Does this position have supervisory responsibilities No
Preferred EducationExperience
· Teaching experience in higher education.
Deadline to Apply Open Until Filled Yes
Our University Community
We value the well-being of each of our employees and are dedicated to creating a healthy place for everyone to work learn and live. In the interest of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students employees patients and visitors the University of Kentucky is a Tobacco & Drug Free campus. The University follows both the federal and state Constitutions as well as all applicable federal and state laws on nondiscrimination. The University provides equal opportunities for qualified persons in all aspects of institutional operations and does not discriminate on the basis of race color national origin ethnic origin religion creed age physical or mental disability veteran status uniformed service political belief sex sexual orientation gender identity gender expression pregnancy marital status genetic information or social or economic status or whether the person is a smoker or nonsmoker as long as the person complies with University regulation concerning smoking.
Any candidate offered a position may be required to pass pre-employment screenings as mandated by University of Kentucky Human Resources. These screenings may include a national background check andor drug screen.