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Position Information

**Proposed Faculty Rank** Assistant/Associate Professor

**Department** 00074 - 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.

The University of Utah is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and does not discriminate based upon race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, or protected veteran’s status. The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and 34 CFR part 106. The requirement not to discriminate in education programs or activities extends to admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and its regulations may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, to the Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, or both.

To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability or if you or someone you know has experienced discrimination or sexual misconduct including sexual harassment, you may contact the Director/Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action ( OEO /AA). More information, including the Director/Title IX Coordinator’s office address, electronic mail address, and telephone number can be located at:

https://www.utah.edu/nondiscrimination/

Online reports may be submitted at oeo.utah.edu

Notice

The University is a participating employer with Utah Retirement Systems (“URS”). Eligible new hires with prior URS service, may elect to enroll in URS if they make the election before they become eligible for retirement (usually the first day of work). Contact Human Resources at (801) 581-7447 for information. Individuals who previously retired and are receiving monthly retirement benefits from URS are subject to URS’ post-retirement rules and restrictions. Please contact Utah Retirement Systems at (801) 366-7770 or (800) 695-4877 or University Human Resource Management at (801) 581-7447 if you have questions regarding the post-retirement rules.

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

https://safety.utah.edu/safetyreport This report includes statistics about criminal offenses, hate crimes, arrests and referrals for disciplinary action, and Violence Against Women Act offenses. They also provide information about safety and security-related services offered by the University of Utah. A paper copy can be obtained by request at the Department of Public Safety located at 1658 East 500 South.

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