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Faculty Position in User Understanding, Illinois Institute of Technology
Dec 13 04
Source: CHI-Jobs
Faculty Position in User Understanding Winter 2004
The Institute of Design (ID) at the Illinois Institute of Technology invites applications for a tenure-track position focused on design oriented user observation methods. The Institute of Design, one of seven schools within the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago, offers the degrees of Master of Design, Master of Design Methods, and Ph.D. in Design. Founded as the New Bauhaus in 1937, ID continues to attract faculty, researchers, and students from around the world who want to experiment with new theories and methods in design. ID is currently a community of over 115 graduate students, 8 full-time faculty, numerous visiting and adjunct faculty, and researchers.
The Master of Design program has tracks of study in Communication Design, Product Design, Design Planning, and Design Research. A common element is the development and teaching of theories and methods that humanize technology and meet people $B%f (Js unspoken needs. The goal is to support the creation of innovations at all levels of societies and economies. Emphasis is on innovation, teamwork, building sustainable and repeatable methodologies, and so demonstrating the relevance of design in business and social contexts. Another program, Master in Design Methods, is a professional program for mid-career people focusing exclusively on advanced methods and frameworks. Faculty and Ph.D. candidates engage in research to explore and develop theories, methods, and tools in the following areas: Users and Contexts, Language and Media of Communication, Interactive Design, Strategic Design, and Design Systems.
This faculty position intends to strengthen research and development as well as teaching methods and theories related to understanding users and their contexts. The expectation is that social science strategies that uncover user understanding are linked to design development by applying theory and method in an actionable analytic and synthetic framework. While applicants with a specialty in this area are encouraged to apply, the nature of the work at ID also requires faculty to have interests that cross into other areas of the school as outlined above and be open to interdisciplinary work in general. The teaching responsibility involves project courses as well as lecture courses. The teaching requires ongoing criticism and interaction with multidisciplinary teams in project based or constructive learning situations; the ability to formulate significant and timely project problems; apply knowledge and methods to these problems; and provide insightful project guidance.
Research and writing are essential for this faculty position. Candidates should have an international perspective and a keen interest in the furtherance of teaching and researching methods, as well as design practice. This appointment carries the responsibility to participate in college governance, management of student and faculty programs, and curriculum development. A Ph.D. degree is desirable. Candidates with strong previous teaching and professional experience will be given preference. Rank and salary are open and will be competitive and commensurate with experience. Consideration of candidates for this position will begin on February 1, 2005 with the intention of making an appointment as soon as possible. The search will remain open until the position is filled. IIT is a private university with schools in Architecture, Business, Design, Engineering, Science, Law, and Psychology. IIT is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. Women and minority candidates are !
strongly encouraged to apply.
Applications should include: a letter describing areas of interest in teaching, practice, and research; examples of design and research work; and when available, examples of student work; a curriculum vitae; and five academic and/or professional references. Application materials will be returned if accompanied by return envelope.
People who are considering applying but have questions about the position and criteria are invited to send an informal query.
Send application materials or queries to:
Prof. Sharon Poggenpohl
Chairperson, Faculty Search Committee
Institute of Design, IIT
350 North La Salle Street
Chicago, IL 60610
Phone 312-595-4921
Fax 312-595-4901
Email poggenpohl@id.iit.edu