Assistant/Associate Professor

The University of Utah, an AA/EO employer, encourages applications from all qualified individuals, and provides reasonable accommodation to the known disabilities of applicants and employees. The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students, staff, faculty and patients from all backgrounds and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education, employment opportunities, and quality healthcare for historically underrepresented groups.

Position Information

Proposed Faculty Rank

Assistant/Associate Professor

Department

Art/Art History Department

City

Salt Lake City, UT

Track

Tenure Track

New Position to Begin

07/01/2026

Details

Position: The Department of Art & Art History at the University of Utah invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track appointment in Graphic Design with a specialization in Graphic Design History & Practice, commencing in Fall 2026.

Qualifications: The ideal candidate will have an MFA in Graphic Design, MGD, MDes or equivalent terminal degree. Candidates must demonstrate contemporary scholarship in the histories of graphic design and visual communication that goes beyond stylistic analysis to encompass the social, cultural, and political contexts of design, in dialogue with emerging discourse. Applicants should also exhibit a strong vision and record of practice in contemporary graphic design, ideally integrating research with practice. Teaching experience beyond graduate school is preferred.

Job Description: Appointee's core academic responsibility will be developing new curriculum that centers on the History of Graphic Design course and spearheading the integration of contemporary approaches to the subject across the Graphic Design BFA curriculum. This includes examining the ethics of design practice, the ongoing influence of technology, and expanding upon traditional "western" narratives by integrating a broader variety of regional and cultural perspectives. The faculty will also teach other required studio and/or seminar courses across all levels of the major, dependent upon their research alignments and praxis specialization. Teaching load is 2/2 per academic year. Tenure-track faculty are expected to develop and engage in an active research agenda (academic and/or creative practice). Faculty research is supported by numerous grant and career development opportunities at the university. Position requires regular service responsibilities related to administration and governance at the department, college, and university levels. Tenure-track faculty are also expected to advise MFA candidates in various art disciplines. Engagement with faculty and students from other units in the College of Fine Arts and across the institution is encouraged.

Program Profile: With an average of 190 students, the University of Utah's 4-year Graphic Design BFA program is among the largest and most well-respected in the region, and the only one situated in the heart of the Salt Lake City metropolitan area. After one year of foundational courses in communication design, typography, art, and digital media, students apply by portfolio to advance to the second year. Designed to prepare students for careers as creative professionals, the program prides itself on building a tight-knit student and faculty community, student-centered learning, and a rigorous approach to design process, research, strategy, and theory across a range of disciplines.

EEO/Non-Discrimination Information

All qualified individuals are strongly encouraged to apply. Veterans' preference is extended to qualified applicants, upon request and consistent with University policy and Utah state law. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities.

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Notice

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This position may require the successful completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen.

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Special Instructions for Candidates

Interested candidates must submit a cover letter, statement addressing research focus, teaching philosophy, and qualifications; CV; list of three professional references; two examples of assignment briefs and/or syllabi; evidence of scholarly research as described above; a portfolio of 20 examples of the applicant's design work, and 20 examples of the applicant's students' design work. The portfolio should be in PDF format, (or website equivalent) and include short project descriptions, and year created.

Open Date

11/03/2025

Close Date

01/23/2026

Open Until Filled

Yes

Requisition Number

PRN01441CF

Type

Faculty

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

Required Documents

• Cover Letter

• Curriculum Vitae

• Teaching Statement

• Research Statement

• Example of Research 1

• Example of Research 2

• Example of Research 3

• List of References

Optional Documents

• Historical Only – Do Not Use – See Description for More Information – Appropriate discharge document (such as DD-2214) – Veteran Only

• Historical Only – Do Not Use – See Document Description for More Information – Addendum to the University of Utah – Veteran Only

• Teaching Evaluations

• Example of Research 4

Open Date

11/03/2025

Close Date

01/23/2026

Open Until Filled

Yes

Requisition Number

PRN01441CF

Type

Faculty

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

Required Documents

• Cover Letter

• Curriculum Vitae

• Teaching Statement

• Research Statement

• Example of Research 1

• Example of Research 2

• Example of Research 3

• List of References

Optional Documents

• Historical Only – Do Not Use – See Description for More Information – Appropriate discharge document (such as DD-2214) – Veteran Only

• Historical Only – Do Not Use – See Document Description for More Information – Addendum to the University of Utah – Veteran Only

• Teaching Evaluations

• Example of Research 4