Instructor of the Practice or Assistant Professor of UX Design

Position Announcement The Department of Design at Utah Tech University in St. George, Utah, invites applications for a full-time faculty position in User Experience (UX) Design, with an anticipated start date of January 1, 2026. The position may be filled at the rank of Assistant Professor (tenure-track) or Instructor of the Practice (professional-track) depending on academic qualifications and professional experience.This position will play a central role in supporting the newly launched Master of User Experience Design (MUXD) and may also teach courses in the Master of Software Development (MSD) program depending on background and qualifications. Both graduate programs emphasize interdisciplinary integration between design and technology, preparing students for careers in human-centered design, product development, and emerging digital experiences.The Department of Design is housed within the College of Science, Engineering & Technology (CSET) and offers bachelor's degrees in Digital Design, Graphic Design, and Interaction Design. These programs operate at the intersection of design and technology, fostering innovation and real-world skill development through applied, career-connected learning. The new MUXD program is a natural extension of this ecosystem and is built to meet growing industry demand for user experience professionals with both creative and technical fluency. More information on degree programs can be found at:https://catalog.utahtech.edu/programs/design/.We are seeking candidates with a graduate degree in UX Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), or a related field and professional experience in UX/UI. Candidates with a bachelor's degree and significant industry experience will be considered for the rank of Professor of Practice. Ideal candidates will have experience in user research, prototyping, usability testing, and collaboration across design and development teams. Responsibilities Teach 30 credit hours for Instructor of the Practice or 24 credit hours for Assistant Professor of lower and/or upper division undergraduate Design courses per academic year.Participate in innovation and problem-solving with students.Work with the Department Chair, Dean, and other faculty in the Design department regarding curriculum and program development.Teach courses in UX Design at both undergraduate and graduate levels, including potential teaching assignments in the Master of Software Development program.Perform defined campus-wide duties, including holding office hours, attendance at department and division meetings, and service on committees and/or outreach programs.Perform other duties as assigned. Qualifications Required:Bachelor's degree in UX Design, Interaction Design, Graphic Design, HCI, or a closely related field.Demonstrated professional experience in UX design, UI development, human-centered research, or related areas.Proficiency with industry-standard UX design tools (e.g., Figma, Adobe XD, Sketch, Axure, etc.).Strong understanding of UX principles, usability testing, information architecture, and responsive design.Ability to teach a variety of courses in UX design at both undergraduate and graduate levels.Strong communication, mentoring, and organizational skills.Commitment to student success, inclusive teaching, and interdisciplinary collaboration.Preferred:Master's degree or terminal degree in UX Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Digital Design, or a related discipline.Experience teaching in higher education, especially at the graduate level.Familiarity with software development workflows and ability to collaborate across design and development teams.Experience contributing to curriculum development, instructional design, or industry-aligned training programs.Evidence of continued professional engagement in the UX field or design industry. Supplemental Information POSITION DETAILS, COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:Full-time (9-month) professional-track or tenure-track faculty position. Faculty service begins January 1, 2026. Annual salary of $60,000-$63,000 for Instructor of the Practice qualified applicants and $66,000-$70,000 for Assistant Professor qualified applicants, with additional compensation available for optional summer/overload teaching. Excellent benefits package included that begins on start date;includes medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance, employee assistance and wellness programs, retirement plan contributions, and undergraduate tuition waivers for employees and eligible dependents. Seehttps://humanresources.utahtech.edu/employee-benefits/ under "Benefits Summary" for more details.ELECTRONIC APPLICATION PROCEDURES:Application review begins September 22, 2025; position open until filled.Candidates must submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, contact information for three professional references (including email addresses), transcripts, and a Student Success Statement (1-2 pages about the candidate's teaching or other professional experience working with a wide range of student academic preparedness). Please upload all the requested documents when you submit your application. Employment is contingent upon successful completion and certification of required degrees and upon successfully passing a background check. If, because of a disability, you need special services or facilities to apply for this opening, please call the Human Resources Office (435) 652-7520.ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY:Utah Tech University is an open, comprehensive, polytechnic institution, committed to exceptional student learning and success that has adopted an instructional approach of "active learning. active life" and a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship. We seek faculty and staff committed to creating an active, applied, and career-oriented learning environment that is student-centered. Established in 1911 as a community college and in 2013 as a state university, our University is located in picturesque southwestern Utah, approximately 120 miles north of Las Vegas. The area is renowned for its red rocks, desert climate, over 300 days of sunshine annually, and featuring easy access to world-class outdoor recreational opportunities.Click here to learn more about the University.Utah Tech University is a fast-growing Utah public institution of higher education, with more than 13,000 students. We offer over 250 programs, including doctoral, masters, bachelors, associates, certificates, endorsements, minors, and/or emphases. We seek faculty and staff committed to creating an active, applied, and career-oriented learning environment that is student-centered, who bring new ideas, possess values and career aspirations aligned with the University's mission and vision, and are inspired to build a premier open, comprehensive, polytechnic university. Utah Tech University is an Equal Opportunity employer; the President and employees of the University are fully committed to equal opportunity within its employment programs and activities. Utah Tech does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination, including harassment, based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy, Title IX, or any other federal, state or local law.The following individuals have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the application of Title IX and its implementing regulations and/or the University's non-discrimination policies:Director of Equal Opportunity Compliance / Title IX Coordinator: Hazel Sainsbury -titleix@utahtech.edu, HCC 579, 435-652-7747.Deputy Title IX Coordinator:Brenda Medrano -titleix@utahtech.edu,BROWN 102, 435-879-4769.For further information regarding non-discrimination, please visithttps://titleix.utahtech.edu/ or contact:U.S. Department of Education, Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights,ocr@ed.gov, 800-421-3481.U.S. Department of Education, Denver Regional Office,ocr.denver@ed.gov, 303-844-5695.The University provides key institutional information regarding Academics, Campus Safety, Student Services, Employment Laws, and other requirements per the Higher Education Act and other consumer information requirements to prospective students, students, UT employees, and prospective employees online at https://utahtech.edu/right-to-know/ andhttps://police.utahtech.edu/clery-act/.In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification.