Associate or Assistant Professor, Design Thinking (12 Month)
Job no:
Work type: Teaching & Research Faculty
Location: Radford
Categories: Design / Graphic Design / Industrial Design, Academic Affairs
Title: Associate or Assistant Professor, Design (12-Month)
Application Review Date: December 10, 2026
Campus Location: Radford City - Main Campus
Job Description
MFA in Design Thinking Faculty: Rank: Tenure-Track. Some undergraduate teaching required. Associate or Assistant Professor.
We are looking for a dynamic and creative design educator who can teach in the completely online MFA program in the innovative field of design thinking and teach a few undergraduate classes in Design or Fashion Merchandising in our in-person program. Teaching areas are flexible and may include Environment Behavior, Design Thinking, Advanced Design Studios, Teaming, Design Management, Innovation and Creativity, and/or Master's Thesis Instruction. Candidate should be able to demonstrate innovative thought processes to teach in the completely online MFA program in the field of design thinking with one or two teaching assignments in-person in the undergraduate design program.
Non-teaching responsibilities include program recruitment, workshop development and implementation, creating sponsored studios and corporate collaborations, national and international marketing, and promotion of design thinking MFA and certificate program. Responsibilities will increase as the program develops. Travel is an expected component of recruitment and professional development. This position requires on-campus interactions and availability 3 times per week.
Program: The Design Thinking Program is a completely online graduate program. It offer 15 credit certificate program along with a 60 credit MFA terminal degree program. The MFA will augment any bachelor's or master's degree by allowing potential students to become leaders in their chosen field. For designers and non-designers, this interdisciplinary, totally online degree will teach in-depth the creative process, creative cognition and environment behavior theories, team development, design management, interactive methodologies and research methodologies.
Facilities: Radford University provides outstanding facilities and equipment, including state-of-the-art computer labs and maker spaces; this position would require on-campus responsibilities that could be accommodated within a 3-day-a-week schedule.
Required Qualifications
Terminal degree and/or MFA, MArch, or PhD in discipline required. A Master's degree in Instructional Technology, Industrial Design, Fashion Merchandising, Fashion Business ownership and oversight, UX, Business, Design, or other related fields combined with professional experience or licensure that would count as the equivalent as a terminal degree acceptable to the university handbook.. Design practice background preferred. Documented online teaching expertise and experience preferred. Professional certification and/or scholarship in one's area of expertise and professional practice desirable.
Preferred Qualifications:
Design practice background and documented online teaching expertise and experience preferred. Professional certification and/or scholarship in one's area of expertise and professional practice desirable. Design Merchandising background and Fashion Business Ownership is preferred.
Special Instructions to Applicants
All applicants must submit the following:
A current resume or curriculum vitae
A 250-word statement on your philosophy of design thinking.
Reference list - provide the names, addresses and phone numbers for three references.
Course syllabi sample with at least three assignments.
Portfolio of work. Professional work provide the extent to which you were involved in the project.
Student work, provide level of work and software programs utilized when appropriate.
Official transcripts will be required of all finalists prior to interview.
Is this position Grant Funded: No
Is this position restricted: No
Is this position 100% telework: No
Hours Per Week: 40
Months per Year: 12
Statement of Economic Interest Required: No
FLSA Status: Exempt
Work Classification: Teaching & Research Faculty
Employee Classification: Assistant/Associte Professor, 12 Month
Department: Design Thinking
Salary: 85,000 - 101,000 (depending on qualifications, experience & rank)
Department Contact Name: Holly Cline
Department Contact Phone: 540831-5386
Department Contact Email: hcline@radford.edu
Advertised: 06 Nov 2026 Eastern Standard Time
Applications close:
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