Associate Professor – Design Lab

The Design Lab at UC San Diego (http://designlab.ucsd.edu) seeks candidates for a tenured Associate Professor faculty position across multiple disciplines to begin July 1, 2022.

Located on Kumeyaay territory in the San Diego – Tijuana border region, The Design Lab at the University of California is an interdisciplinary, multi-departmental center, working with all departments and divisions of the University, including (but not restricted to) the Division of Arts and Humanities, Jacobs School of Engineering, School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, Rady School of Management, School of Medicine, and Division of Social Sciences.

The Design Lab fosters research and practice that centers people and communities in designing interdisciplinary solutions to complex, socio-technical problems. We especially seek scholars who engage major societal issues at the intersections of Blackness, Indigeneity, race, migration, gender, sexuality, disability, class and other manifestations of power and difference.

Research of interest to The Design Lab include, (but not limited to):
Indigenous futures, Black futures, and anti-racist futures
Climate justice and environmental justice
Urban infrastructure design (e.g. housing, water, transportation, information networks)
Bioregional design
Design as ethical and political praxis
Data sovereignty and data justice
Community-approaches to design
Design processes, practices, and theory
Futures of work
Cultural and social media
Mixed physical-digital interactions, cyber-physical systems, (eg. VR, AR, XR)
Sustainable Computing (Battery-free/self-powered/biodegradable)

Candidates whose work is at the intersection of multiple research interests are encouraged to apply.

For the 2021-2022 hiring cycle, the Design Lab is partnering with the following units: Communication, Computer Science and Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Music, NanoEngineering, Public Health and Human Longevity, and Urban Studies and Planning. These units are housed in the following Divisions/Schools: Arts and Humanities, Engineering, Public Health and Human Longevity, and Social Sciences. In your cover letter, please indicate which of these department(s) you think might be a good fit for your research and teaching and would be the most suitable home for your appointment. We welcome applications in all areas.

This position requires teaching of university students.

We understand that the COVID-19 pandemic may have had a substantial impact on academic productivity. In our academic hiring processes, we will be keeping this in mind as we consider achievement relative to opportunity. We encourage you to reflect on constraints on opportunity in your field that were caused by the events of the pandemic and where applicable, to discuss your achievements in this light.

Appointments are expected to begin July 1, 2022 and salary is commensurate with experience and based on the University of California pay scales. The position will remain open until filled.

The University of California is committed to creating and maintaining a community dedicated to the advancement, application, and transmission of knowledge and creative endeavors through academic excellence, where all individuals who participate in University programs and activities can work and learn together in a safe and secure environment, free of violence, harassment, discrimination, exploitation, or intimidation. With this commitment, UC San Diego requires all candidates for academic appointments with tenure or security of employment to complete, sign, and upload the Institutional Reference Check release form entitled “Authorization to Release Form” into RECRUIT as part of their application.”

QUALIFICATIONS
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– Candidates must have a PhD degree (or equivalent) in the fields of Design, Communication, Computer Science, Engineering, Music, Public Health, Urban Planning, or another Design related field at the time of application.

– Preferred Candidates will show great promise in teaching, service, and research. The successful applicant will be expected to establish a vigorous program of high-quality, funded design research. Preferred candidates will have a demonstrated record of human-centered research; be able to demonstrate the potential for teaching excellence as they will be expected to supervise and teach graduate and undergraduate students in design-related courses; demonstrate the highest standards of scholarship and professional activity; and contribute to an institution that is deeply committed to justice, equity, inclusion, and diversity. Inter- or transdisciplinary perspectives, experience with multiple or mixed methodologies, and community-driven design is highly valued. Candidates with demonstrated experience with or willingness to engage in activities that contribute to justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion in the Design Lab and at UC San Diego are especially encouraged to apply.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
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Document requirements:
– Curriculum Vitae – Your most recently updated C.V.
– Cover Letter – Cover letter describing background and interests Please indicate which department(s) at UC San Diego) that you think are a good fit) (3 page max)
– Statement of Research – 4 pages max
– Statement of Teaching – 2 pages max
– Statement of Contributions to Diversity – Applicants should summarize their past or potential contributions to diversity. See our Faculty Equity site for more information.
– Misc / Additional (Optional)
– COVID-19 Impact Statement – We understand that the COVID-19 pandemic may have had a substantial impact on academic productivity. In our academic hiring processes, we will be keeping this in mind as we consider achievement relative to opportunity. We encourage you to reflect on constraints on opportunity in your field that were caused by the events of the pandemic and where applicable, to discuss your achievements in this light.
(Optional)
– Reprints of 2-3 representative publications or works
– Authorization to Release Form – Applicants must complete, sign and upload this form. See Institutional Reference Check (https://aps.ucsd.edu/recruitment/background_check/) for more information.

Reference requirements
– 3-5 letters of reference required