Job Postings
Instructor/Assistant Professor of Product Design (Full-time term appointment, non-tenure-track)
| Position Title: | Instructor/Assistant Professor of Product Design (Full-time term appointment, non-tenure-track) |
| Location: | Grand Rapids (Kendall) |
| Department: |
92350 - KCAD Product Design |
| Advertised Salary: | Instructor: $39,000, Assistant Professor: $58,000 pursuant to the KCAD of FSU/KFA agreement. |
| Benefits: |
Please see the following link for a list of benefits offered with this position. |
| FLSA: | Exempt |
| Temporary/Continuing: | Temporary |
| Part-Time/Full-Time: | Full-Time |
| Union Group: | Kendall Faculty Association (MEA-NEA) |
| Term of Position: | 9 Month |
| At Will/Just Cause: | Just Cause |
| Summary of Position: | Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University (KCAD) in Grand Rapids, MI prepares artists and designers to have impact through practice. As a KCAD term appointment faculty member, you will engage in three kinds of professional development: continuous improvement in teaching effectiveness, creative and/or scholarly contribution within your discipline, and a college service commitment that includes committee work and community engagement for the advancement of KCAD’s mission. You will actively support student success by advising students regarding their academic plan and progress as well as their co-curricular and post-graduation opportunities. This is a full-time, term (temporary), non-tenure-track faculty appointment with the possibility of renewal. Courses are to be taught in person on KCAD’s campus in Grand Rapids. The candidate(s) selected for the position must reside in Michigan after acceptance of employment. Teaching assignments for the fall 2025 semester may include subjects and skills such as product design studio, digital modeling (CAD), design drawing (visual presentation), metals/jewelry design, portfolio development, materials and processes, professional practices, foundation drawing, 3D foundations, or other digital foundations courses. Course assignment will be determined based on individual candidate strengths, qualifications, and program needs. |
| Position Type: | Faculty - Temporary & Continuing |
| Required Education: | Master’s degree in a related field to content being taught or: Master’s degree in unrelated field and additional minimum of 18 graduate credits in a field related to the content being taught or: A bachelor’s degree in a related field to content being taught, a minimum of six years of experience working in the field of industry of the content area being taught, and a combination of: • Evidence of recognized accomplishment in area being taught, including awards, bibliography of publication referencing design or art work or scholarship or; • Evidence of scholarly/creative accomplishment in terms of completed design work, patents, exhibitions, presentations, publication, and juried recognition at the regional, national and international level or; • Evidence of service to the field in terms of memberships on committees or boards of professional organizations and other contributions to the field |
| Required Work Experience: | Minimum of 6 years of relevant professional experience in professional design studio, design consultancy, freelance consulting, or similar professional environment. Experience applying a combination of the following design skills and practices within product design projects: • Product form and visual theme development • Color, material, and finish application • User experience and human-centered design processes • Design research methods • Visual presentation and communication • Materials and manufacturing processes |
| Required Licenses and Certifications: | |
| Physical Demands: |
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| Additional Education/Experiences to be Considered: | Some university or college-level teaching |
| Essential Duties/Responsibilities: | Participate in program and curriculum development and assessment. Prepare and distribute syllabi according to college standards. Teach an appropriate course load as assigned. Assess and evaluate student learning and provide formative feedback. Keep regular posted office hours. Advise students for academic and professional development. Participate in service to the college and in shared governance. Participate in academic functions including commencement. Contribute to the college’s continuous improvement. Demonstrate an understanding of diversity, equity and inclusion, especially in working relationships with students, faculty, staff and community members. Support, promote, and develop University student enrollment and retention initiatives. Maintain effective communication with students and colleagues. Work collaboratively with faculty, students and staff throughout the college. Contribute to your discipline’s discourse(s). Engage in scholarly, creative and professional development. Perform any other duties assigned within the position classification area. |
| Marginal Duties/Responsibilities: | |
| Skills and Abilities: | Proficiency with a combination of the following design skills and practices: • Drawing from observation and imagination • At least basic woodworking and shop studio processes • Digital sketching and rendering (Ex. Tablet/Wacom sketching with Photoshop) • Digital modeling, rendering, and animation • Product form and visual theme development • Color, material, and finish application • User experience and human-centered design processes • Design research methods • Strong visual presentation and communication • Knowledge of materials and manufacturing processes • Demonstrated commitment, experience and understanding for diversity, equity and inclusion |
| Required Documents: |
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| Optional Documents: | |
| Special Instructions to Applicants: | Unofficial Transcript 1(Required): Applicants must attach a copy of unofficial transcripts of degree as described in the Required Education section. Transcripts must include: Institution name, applicant name, date degree attained, and degree awarded. Finalist will be required to submit an official transcript. Portfolio 1 (Required): Portfolio including a minimum of five product design project examples that demonstrate creative problem solving, application of the design process, and a combination of some the required design skills and practices. |
| Initial Application Review Date: | March 24, 2025 |
| Open Until Position is Filled?: | Yes |
| Posting Close Date: | |
| EEO Statement: | Ferris State University, an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer, is committed to enhancing equity, inclusion, and diversity within its community. Ferris offers employment opportunities to qualified candidates seeking careers in a student-focused environment that values opportunity, collaboration, diversity and educational excellence. Learn more about the Ferris Mission and community at ferris.edu. The University actively seeks applications from women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and other underrepresented groups. For more information on the University’s Policy on Non-Discrimination, visit: Ferris Non-Discrimination Statement. |
