Associate or Full Professor, Head of Industrial Design Program
Department: CAS School of Visual Art and Design
Part/Full Time: Full Time
Advertised Salary Range: We offer a competitive salary and benefits package.
About UofSC
From the Upstate to the Lowcountry, the University of South Carolina system is transforming the lives of South Carolinians through the impact of our eight institutions and 20 locations throughout the state. More than 50,000 students are enrolled at one of eight institutions, including the research campus in Columbia and comprehensive four-year universities in Aiken, Upstate and Beaufort. In addition, our Palmetto College campuses in Salkehatchie, Union, Lancaster and Sumter enable students to earn associate or bachelor's degrees through a combination of in-person, online or blended learning. All of our system institutions place strong emphasis on service — helping to build healthier, more educated communities in South Carolina and beyond.
Advertised Job Summary
The School of Visual Art and Design (SVAD) in the McCausland College of Arts and Sciences at the University of South Carolina invites applications for a full-time, nine-month tenured faculty position at the rank of Associate or Full Professor in Industrial Design, to begin August 16, 2027. The selected candidate will also serve as the inaugural Head of the new Industrial Design Program.
The University of South Carolina's Industrial Design degree (B.S.I.D.) is set to launch in Fall 2027 and was designed at the university president's initiative to be a sibling program to the Industrial Engineering degree in the Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing in response to the growth of several industrial and manufacturing sectors in the state. The program curriculum is in place and SVAD will soon occupy a nearly 3900 sq ft makerspace with three faculty offices, directly next door to the main SVAD building. The college will outfit the space with industrial design and digital fabrication equipment. The nearby wood and metal shops and ceramics studio will complement the resources in the makerspace. This tenured position is part of a cluster of presidential hiring in both colleges for Industrial Engineering (INDE) and Industrial Design (IDEA). This position is the lead faculty person in a group of three in Industrial Design. Two Assistant Professor positions in Industrial Design are being listed simultaneously, also to begin in August 2027.
The tenured faculty member will be the inaugural Head of the Industrial Design Program. The ideal candidate will have demonstrable research expertise in the form of publications and/or an extensive design portfolio. The Head of the IDEA Program will lead the launch of the new degree, including the direction of two Assistant Professors (to be hired simultaneously); administrative oversight of an approx. 3900 sq ft makerspace and its contents; strategic planning for major recruitment and program growth; forming and cultivating industry relations in South Carolina; and collaborating with colleagues in the Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing (MCEC). The Head of the Industrial Design Program will report directly to the Director of SVAD and the Area Coordinator of Studio Art & Design.
In addition to teaching, the tenured faculty member will maintain an active research agenda (including creative production), mentor students and colleagues, and undertake institutional and professional service.
Required Education and Experience
- Master of Industrial Design (MID), Master of Design (MDes), or equivalent, or Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in related discipline, or PhD in Industrial Design or closely related field.
- Demonstrable record of scholarship (including creative production) of national or international significance, grant and/or industry funding, and teaching and service appropriate to the rank of tenured Associate or Full Professor.
Preferred Qualifications
No additional preferred qualifications.
Special Instructions to Applicant
All applicants must apply online through USCJobs at https://uscjobs.sc.edu. Submit your application using the following link: https://uscjobs.sc.edu/postings/212447. A complete application includes: (1) a cover letter describing the candidate's research and teaching interests; (2) a curriculum vitae; and (3) the names and email addresses of three professional references.
Letters of reference will be requested from referees for those applicants advancing to the interview stage. Review of applications will begin October 15, 2026, and will continue until the position is filled. Inquiries about this position may be directed to the search committee co-chairs: Meena Khalili at mkhalili@mailbox.sc.edu and Laura Kissel at kissel@mailbox.sc.edu.
Positions are advertised for a minimum of forty-five (45) days on our job website. After forty-five (45) days, positions can be closed at the discretion of the department at any time. This position is open until filled. This employment site is updated on a regular basis. The length of the recruitment and screening process may vary from position to position, depending upon a variety of factors. Should review of your qualifications result in a decision to pursue your candidacy, you will be contacted by phone or email.
To apply, please visit: https://uscjobs.sc.edu/postings/212447
EEO Statement The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in educational or employment opportunities on the basis of race, sex, gender, gender identity, transgender status, age, color, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, genetics, protected veteran status, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions.
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