Assistant Professor, Visual Communication Design (Design Studies) - Tenure Track

This competition is open to all applicants however; internal applicants will be given priority consideration based on minimum qualifications, or a combination of experience, skills, and abilities before external applicants are considered.

Location - This role is in-person. Work primarily takes place at North Campus, Edmonton.

The Department of Art & Design, Design Studies unit invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track, Assistant Professor position specializing in Visual Communication Design, and demonstrated expertise (commensurate with their career stage) in UX/UI design, design theory, and practice-based research methods. Experience or interest in service design, and community engagement design, is an asset. Ideal candidates would augment or complement these areas of expertise and bring collaborative, interdisciplinary approaches that contribute to the continued development of Design Studies. This position is to commence on July 1, 2027.

The Department of Art & Design offers degree programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels in Fine Arts, Design Studies (Industrial Design and Visual Communication Design), and the History of Art, Design, and Visual Culture, and encompasses the FAB Gallery and a University Centre of Research Excellence in Printmaking. For more information about the department, please consult the departmental website at https://www.ualberta.ca/art-design/.

Design Studies consists of Industrial Design and Visual Communication Design, and includes Canada’s first Canada Research Chair in Design. We are seeking a collegial, enthusiastic, and forward-thinking individual. The successful candidate will have an aptitude for teaching, working in team situations, and an interest in innovative modes of teaching (and interdisciplinary teaching), as well as the desire to foster creative, critical and innovative thinking in our students. They will share our values and objectives in areas of collaboration, sustainability, interdisciplinarity, technological engagement, diversity and inclusion, and practice-based research methods aimed at creating innovative work. Experience and interest in experiential learning opportunities (e.g. practicums, internships, community service learning) is highly desirable.

Candidates must be fluent in design discourse and studio practice and in balancing the conceptual, aesthetic and technical demands of the discipline, and are expected to participate in departmental activities. Applicants will have a record of scholarship and/or an established professional practice in their field, be able to establish/continue a successful research program, and integrate their research into teaching and learning opportunities for their students. Applicants must have the capacity to teach studio courses, lectures, and design seminars at both undergraduate and graduate levels, and to engage in the collective life of the University through service and administrative roles. A proven ability to collaborate effectively with professional communities is essential to this position.

Applicants should show a willingness to incorporate or reflect Indigenous perspectives or ways of teaching and learning into their curriculum where appropriate. An awareness and willingness to engage in other forms of inclusion (e.g. in training or inclusive pedagogy) is also desired.

The ideal candidate will have:

• a terminal degree in the field (Master’s degree in Design or a related/relevant academic discipline);
• an established practice and evidence of meaningful work within their areas of design and research;
• a minimum of four years of professional experience;
• experience in post-secondary teaching or demonstrated ability to teach a variety of courses (studio courses, lectures, seminars) at the undergraduate and graduate levels; 
• an active research program and engagement with scholarship in the field.

Application Instructions

Click “Apply Now” and submit the following documents:

• Cover Letter (Include the names of three referees, letters of reference will only be requested for selected candidates. Referees should be prepared to send their letters by early December.)
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Teaching Dossier (Includes evidence of, or potential for teaching effectiveness. This can include a brief description of your approach to teaching or brief descriptions of a few courses you have taught or would be interested in teaching. Full syllabi are not required.)
• Portfolio (e.g., artifacts, projects, articles, etc.) in electronic format, of recent pieces of work (practice and research)
• Proposed Program of Research

All applications and letters of reference can be addressed to the attention of Sean Caulfield Chair, Department of Art Design. Specific questions about the position can be addressed to stc@ualberta.ca.

Review of applications will start on November 15, 2026.

The successful candidate will be offered a tenure-track appointment at the rank of Assistant Professor, including a comprehensive benefits package.

The terms and conditions of this appointment are governed by Schedule A of the collective agreement between the Board of Governors of the University of Alberta and the Association of Academic Staff of the University of Alberta.