Assistant / Associate Professor of Design History

The College of Design prepares designers who, in the broadest sense, shape the world.
Design education is more than an attempt to teach a set of technical skills. The environment - including the spaces in which people live and work, the products they consume, and the messages they receive - has a powerful impact on how humans function in a society. Good design requires attention and sensitivity to social, economic, political, cultural and behavioral issues. The aim of all curricula in the College of Design is to develop the designer's perception, knowledge, skills and problem-solving abilities.

The College of Design offers comprehensive undergraduate and graduate study in architecture, art + design, graphic design, industrial design and graduate studies in landscape architecture, through several degree programs, including the Ph.D. in Design. The college employs a selective admissions process that ensures a highly motivated and varied design community. As a result, entering design students consistently rank at the top of academic achievement at the University, and their graduation rate is the highest at NC State.

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The Department of Graphic Design and Industrial Design and the Department of Media, Art, Design and Technology (MADTech) in the College of Design at North Carolina State University seek a qualified individual for a joint appointment at the rank of assistant or associate professor of design history and theory. The individual in this position will be expected to build a significant teaching and scholarly agenda that examines design through multiple cultural lenses and global perspectives; that bridges critical thinking and creative practice; and that interrogates how artifacts, systems, and design practices shape and are shaped by varied social, cultural, and political contexts across different communities and geographies.

We welcome candidates whose research and teaching approaches broaden conventional design narratives, incorporate voices and design traditions from around the world, and foster thoughtful dialogue about the role and impact of design in society. The ideal candidate will demonstrate commitment to innovative pedagogy that prepares students to engage meaningfully with design's historical and contemporary global dimensions and challenges.

While this position is primarily focused on design history and theory, we are open to candidates who can also contribute to studio-based learning and making practices. Candidates with experience in bridging theoretical knowledge with hands-on design work, or who can integrate critical frameworks into practice-based courses, are particularly encouraged to apply. The ability to teach across both theoretical and applied domains would strengthen our interdisciplinary approach to design education.

Rank will be awarded based on qualifications and experience of the candidate.

N/A

Applicant's are required to submit: (1) a letter of intent describing qualifications and interests; (2) a CV; (3) a digital research and/or professional portfolio (upload under "other document 1"); (4) a research statement that includes a plan for scholarly production; (5) a teaching portfolio (upload under "other document 2"); and (6) contact information for three references.

Additional information
Review of applications will begin on January 5, 2026 and continue until the position is filled. Please send inquiries to Matthew Peterson, mopeters@ncsu.edu

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