The School of Design at Virginia Tech invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position at the rank of Assistant Professor to support the ongoing development and expansion of the Industrial Design program. The School welcomes submissions from individuals who specialize across a broad range of design topics and proficiencies to support the land-grant mission of the university through teaching, research and outreach. The anticipated start date is August, 2025.
In this search we aspire to diversify perspectives on the products, systems, and services that will define our global future and environment. We seek candidates whose research, practice and teaching expand the boundaries of Industrial Design. Areas of current interest to the program include but are not limited to: Design for health, wellness and healthcare; Circular Economy and sustainable modes of production; BioDesign; design for equity and Pluriversal Design; Indigenous Technology; Post-human-centered design frameworks; Design entrepreneurship and new modes of product production and delivery; Emerging technologies influencing design methods and production (AI, AR, Connected devices, Wearable Technology, Advanced manufacturing, Computational design etc.). We especially welcome pioneering researchers with emerging voices about the future of design. In summation, we seek researchers, educators, and practitioners who can teach core knowledge in Industrial Design while expanding the definition and influence of the field to help shape an ever more inclusive, prosperous, and equitable society.
Successful candidates will have clear positions on the evolving nature of design and the way in which designers should be educated. The integration of the candidate's work with the school’s experimental, interdisciplinary and hands-on teaching traditions is essential. This position will require the capacity to work in diverse teaching environments and across domains of design. Faculty on the tenure track will have the opportunity to shape research initiatives that expand the Industrial Design program, influence the profession and university through service, and develop high impact design practices in the classroom that empower the next generation of designers.
The College of Architecture, Arts, and Design at Virginia Tech affirms our collective responsibility to encourage, build, and embrace the polyculturalism of our world. We do this by acknowledging and addressing our past, recognizing our current responsibility, and acting in the interests of building and sustaining communities that are truly safe, supportive, and inclusive for all. Our commitment is to continually and proactively engage in these processes for the benefit of our students, staff, and faculty across the college, and the communities around the world we aim to serve.