Teaching Specialist or Lecturer - Product Design (PDes)

The School of Product Design at the University of Minnesota seeks a practice-oriented full-time Teaching Specialist or Lecturer and member of our faculty to join our team. This individual will teach across multiple areas of the undergraduate curriculum, with a focus on the freshman, sophomore and junior levels. The successful candidate must bring strong teaching experience and/or professional practice, along with a passion for developing the core skills essential to product design in order to prepare students for real-world professional practice.

Responsibilities:

• Teach 3 courses per semester in product design/industrial design.
• Mentor undergraduate students through critiques, and reviews.
• Participating in school and department meetings, reviews, and other service engagements.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Industrial Design, Product Design, or a related field (for Teaching Specialist)
• M.Des., MS, M.F.A., or PhD in Industrial Design, Product Design, or a related field (for the title of Lecturer)
• Industrial Design Sketching & Rendering, which encompasses freehand sketching, marker rendering, digital sketching visualization techniques, and developing confident drawing skills.
• Strong communication, collaboration, and organizational skills,
• Experience teaching or mentoring students in academic or professional settings,
• Proven capacity for empathy, patience, and support in guiding beginning designers or design students through foundational learning experiences

Preferred Qualifications (not required):

• M.Des., MS, M.F.A., or PhD
• Expertise in the following areas:
  • Physical Model Making - with hands-on expertise using cardboard, foam core, HDU, and wood to create prototypes that explore scale, form, and usability
  • Product Design Foundation Studios (freshmen and sophomore level) - teaching core studio courses that integrate skills in design process, ergonomics, model making, and prototyping.
  • Portfolio Development & Communication - helping students present their work through sketches, models, and process documentation.
    

The School of Product Design at the University of Minnesota prepares students to blend creativity, engineering, business, and human-centered problem solving to design innovative products, systems, and services. Our curriculum emphasizes sketching, model making, CAD, prototyping, ergonomics, and user-centered research. Students gain experience through industry-sponsored projects, design sprints, and a capstone studio, preparing them for careers in diverse industries such as consumer products, furniture, electronics, and medical devices.
About the College of Design

As one of the most comprehensive design colleges in the country, the College of Design's vision is to be the recognized leader in advancing transformative thinking and practice, and reinventing our disciplines and professions for a new century.

In order to prepare our students to confront the real challenges of our time, every College of Design graduate from the University of Minnesota will:

• Be able to apply design thinking as a way to address issues big and small confronting the local and
  world community
• Understand and be prepared for the social, environmental, and economic ramifications of each problem they address and every decision they make in their work
• Not only be able to conceive unique ideas, but be capable of implementing those ideas through actionable plans, projects, or strategies.

About the University of Minnesota

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.
At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).

Pay Range: $60,000 - $70,000 Annually, depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: Faculty and P&A Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

Applications must be submitted online. Please click the Apply button and follow the instructions.

To be considered for this position, please submit the following:

• Cover Letter
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)

If selected to move forward in the interview process, the following items will be requested:

• Teaching Statement (1-2 pages)
• Personal Work / Design Portfolio (digital portfolio or website link)
• Teaching Portfolio (if available, including relevant student work)

Timeline:

• Review of applications will begin on February 12, 2026 and will continue until the position is filled.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).