Teaching Specialist or Lecturer - UX (user experience)

The College of Design, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities seeks to fill a Lecturer or Teaching Specialist position to teach UX (user experience) design and UX-related courses at the undergraduate level. We seek highly qualified individuals with expertise in varied aspects of UX as it relates to digital design.

APPOINTMENT DETAILS

• 100%-time, 9-month, continuous, academic professional (P&A) appointment beginning August 31, 2026
• Excellent benefits including medical, dental, and vision
• Competitive retirement options
• Professional development allowance.
• For a full list of benefits, please visit https://humanresources.umn.edu/benefits

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Teach 6 undergraduate courses related to UX and specifically courses in the UX major and minor, including content related to user research, UI design, and service design.
• Supervise student teaching assistants if applicable.
• Mentor undergraduate students.
• Attend and contribute to class critiques and program events.
• Contribute to the ongoing development of the curriculum.
• Participate in school, department, and collegiate meetings and committees.
• Contribute to and support the mission of the land grant institution.

Required Qualifications

• For Lecturer: Graduate degree in user experience design, graphic design, industrial design, product design, computer science or a related field and previous postsecondary teaching experience.
• For Teaching Specialist: Undergraduate degree in user experience design, graphic design, industrial design, product design, computer science or a related field.
• The ability to teach courses from the following set of courses: DES2101 Principles of Design, UX 2131 Introduction to UX, UX 3131: User Experience, UX 3132: Service Design Studio, UX 3309 Storytelling and Design, UX Capstone, and Portfolio courses. GDes 2342: Interaction Design, GDes 5341: Advanced Interaction Design, as demonstrated through a professional portfolio. Evidence of effective teaching
• Evidence of strong collaborative and interpersonal skills.
• Evidence of strong presentation skills.
• Professional experience working in the UX field or related design field.
• Proficiency in industry prototyping tools including HTML, CSS, Git and GitHub, Figma, Adobe XD. responsive web design, and information architecture.
• Evidence of visual and interaction design skills including typography, branding, UI patterns, heuristics, and accessibility.

Preferred Qualifications

• Technologically innovative approach to teaching
• Proficiency in coding and programming languages
• Experience working with AI software
• Experience in program and/or curricular development
• Experience working collaboratively with academic departments and/or in the community
• Evidence of diversity and inclusion in teaching and/or scholarship or creative production
• Experience in teaching smaller studios and larger lectures.

Minnesota is recognized as a progressive state and the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, as one of the major design centers in the United States. Well known for its high quality of life, the Twin Cities metropolitan area offers world-caliber museums and theaters, an exceptional parks system, outstanding historical landmarks, excellent educational opportunities, and access to a highly-regarded health care system. The Twin Cities are also home to 17 Fortune 500 companies, thriving local businesses, and a strong non-profit sector.

The College of Design is situated within the Twin Cities campus of the University of Minnesota, which hosts an unusually broad range of disciplines, faculty, and students. The College of Design includes programs in apparel design, architecture, graphic design, human factors and ergonomics, interior design, landscape architecture, product design, and retail and consumer studies. The College offers rich opportunities for interdisciplinary research and public engagement through research and engagement centers, including Wearable Product Design, Digital Design, the Goldstein Museum of Design, Metropolitan Design, and Sustainable Building Research.

Pay Range: $62,000 - $70,000 annually, depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: Faculty and P&A Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will have the opportunity to complete an online application for the position.

To be considered for this position, please submit the following:

• Cover Letter
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)

If selected to move forward in the interview process, the following items will be requested:

• Teaching Statement (1-2 pages)
• Personal Work / Design Portfolio (digital portfolio or website link)
• Teaching Portfolio (if available, including relevant student work)

Timeline:

• Review of applications will begin on February 12, 2026 and will continue until the position is filled.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-UOHR (8647). Inquiries about the application and search process may be addressed to Austin Voigt, HR Generalist, at voigt271@umn.edu.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).