"Assistant Professor of Systems Design"

Job Details

The Department of Design at The Ohio State University invites applications for a tenure track Assistant Professor of Systems Design, to start August 15, 2026. The successful applicant will possess the promise of or expertise in the theory and principles of Design practices as they apply to the research and development of products, services, experiences, and networks that anticipate and envision future needs. This faculty member will teach in the Industrial Design major area and support other areas in Design.

We seek a colleague whose research centers design and complexity (e.g., community-engaged design, discursive design, transitional design, systemic design) with an interest in emerging technologies and technological innovation (e.g., generative AI systems, hybrid AI-human processes, critical approaches / ethics in technology) as they apply to design. Applicants should demonstrate a growing record of scholarship, or promise thereof, and be able to establish/continue a successful research program and integrate their research into teaching and learning opportunities for their students. A promise of the ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues, industry, professional communities, and other community groups is desired.

The Department of Design consists of Experiential Media Design, Industrial Design, Interior Design and Visual Communication Design, and presents many opportunities for cross-disciplinary collaboration at both the faculty and student levels. The successful appointee might contribute to community-engaged research and creative activity associated with Ohio State’s Social Innovation and Sustainability Lab (DESIS Lab), Center for Design and Manufacturing Excellence (CDME), Advanced Computing Center for the Arts and Design (ACCAD) and/or other OSU Centers and Institutes.

Performance Objectives

• Teach studios, lectures, and seminars at the undergraduate and graduate levels and will contribute to the department’s long-standing commitment to cultivating inclusive excellence in the design professions.
• Develop and sustain a nationally recognized research program in systems design, with a focus on complexity, emerging technologies, and ethics-oriented design practices.
• Publish scholarly work in high-impact, peer-reviewed journals, conferences, and/or design venues relevant to systems design, industrial design, and interdisciplinary design research.
• Teach undergraduate (BSD) and graduate courses (MFA) in industrial design and systems design, including studios, seminars, and lectures, with a commitment to inclusive, student-centered pedagogy.
• Mentor and advise students across undergraduate and graduate levels, supporting their academic, professional, and creative development.
• Contribute to curriculum development that reflects contemporary and future-oriented design practices, including integration of emerging technologies and ethical frameworks.
• Engage in collaborative and transdisciplinary research with faculty across the Department of Design and other units at Ohio State.
• Participate in service activities to the department and professional design communities, including committee work, outreach, and public engagement.
• Foster community-engaged design practices that connect academic research with societal needs.

Education and Experience Requirements

Required: Terminal degree – MFA, MDes, DDes or PhD preferred, ABDs welcome to apply – in Systems Design, Industrial Design, Product Design, Interaction Design, or a related field. Terminal degree in hand by August 15, 2026.

• Demonstrated potential for or established record of scholarly research and creative inquiry in systems design or related areas.
• Commitment to wide-ranging pedagogical practices and student-centered learning.

Desired:

• Evidence of effective teaching at the undergraduate and/or graduate level.
• Research expertise in complexity-centered design practices (e.g., systemic design, transitional design, discursive design, community-engaged design).
• Preference will be given to candidates whose work exhibits transdisciplinarity, collaboration, external engagement, and ethics-oriented areas of practice.
• Engagement with emerging technologies and innovation in design (e.g., generative AI, hybrid human-AI systems, ethics in technology).
• Experience securing or contributing to externally funded research or creative projects.
• A portfolio demonstrating excellence in teaching, research, and/or student mentorship.
• Experience working across disciplines and with external partners, including industry, community organizations, or research institutes.

Ohio State provides access to a depth and breadth of opportunities and resources.

How to Apply

To be considered, please submit your application electronically via Workday. Application period closes November 7, 2025. A competitive application consists of the following required elements: Cover Letter, CV, Research Statement and Portfolio, Teaching Statement, and Portfolio of professional and/or student work.