Adjunct Practice Instructor in Urban Technology

Applicants should submit one (1) PDF (500kb size limit) containing the following:

• Cover Letter (2 pages maximum) describing your interest in and qualifications for the position 
• Curriculum vitae that may include links to examples or websites that demonstrate your practice experience
• Names and contact information for three references

Taubman College invites applications for an instructor to develop and teach an undergraduate studio course focused on service design within the Urban Technology Program. The course, currently titled "Service Design and Urban Needs," is scheduled for the upcoming winter semester (January-April 2025) and will engage approximately 20 students pursuing a bachelor of science degree in urban technology.

Taubman College's four-year Urban Technology Program combines urbanism, technology, and design to help students build the knowhow and determination to create digital services that improve urban life for all. The goal of our curriculum is to empower students who are conscientious citizens of the world, possess the knowledge needed to work on grand urban challenges, and recognize their own agency despite and amid the uncertainties of the contemporary world. Cities will be their domain, technology will be an essential skill set, and design will be their practice.

While this position is for winter term 2025, there is a potential for future teaching opportunities as the program grows. 

Multiple hires may be made from this posting.

• Develop the syllabus during November-December 2024 in collaboration with the urban technology faculty director and the other UT 360 instructor
• Teach one section of the course, January-April 2025 (in person or primarily in person)

• Degree in a related field, master's degree preferred
• Professional work experience in service design, human centered design, UX design, or a related field
• Experience designing, improving, and implementing services in an urban context and for urban audiences, whether in the public or private sector
• Experience working with stakeholders to identify user needs and prototype potential solutions, utilizing frameworks such as service blueprints, customer journeys, and ecosystem or stakeholder maps
• Ability to design and conduct energetic, active, collaborative, hands-on learning experiences
• Familiarity using software including Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, Miro
• Engagement with one or more of the following: gender-based, race-based, ability-based understanding of urban experiences and design, and the ways acts of design can mitigate against marginalization, exclusion, and injustice

In addition to a career filled with purpose and opportunity, U-M offers a comprehensive benefits package to help you stay well, protect yourself and your family, and plan for a secure future. Benefits include generous time off; retirement plan with two-for-one matching contributions after the first year; many choices for comprehensive health insurance; life insurance; long-term disability coverage; and flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses. Learn more about U-M benefits.

Please note: The salary for this position is distributed from January - April. Relocation assistance is not provided for this position.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Taubman College includes a diverse group of students, faculty, staff, and administrators of different race and ethnicity, national origin, gender and gender expression, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, religious commitment, age, and disability status. We aim to create a community of mutual respect and trust where everyone's backgrounds, identities, and views are represented without any threat of bias, harassment, intimidation, or discrimination. Learn more about our DEI efforts and the shared values we have for our community.

The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks.  Background checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.