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Tenure Track Assistant Professor: User Experience Design

Wilfrid Laurier University

Posted: April 18, 2024

WILFRID LAURIER UNIVERSITY
FACULTY OF LIBERAL ARTS
USER EXPERIENCE DESIGN PROGRAM

The User Experience Design Program in the Faculty of Liberal Arts at Wilfrid Laurier University invites applications for a Tenure Track faculty position at the Assistant Professor level beginning July 1, 2024, subject to budgetary approval.

The User Experience Design Program was launched in 2017 and is one of Canada's fastest-growing and most innovative design degree programs. Students in the undergraduate UX major take courses in UX Research, UX Strategy, Interaction Design, Design Thinking, UI and Web Design, 3-D and Critical Making, Design Ethics, Designing for EDI, Graphic Design, Information Architecture, and Immersive Design. Students work with clients from industry, government, and community organizations to create user-centred solutions to complex business and societal challenges. Students may also participate in a 12-month co-op after their third year. The newly-created Master’s of Science in User Experience Design, with its first class expected to enter in September 2024, is unique within Ontario for its singular focus on UX, and it is structured to encourage practical professional learning in the field. Faculty research in the program has been funded by NSERC, SSHRC, ORF, MITACS, and others.

To be considered, applicants must have completed a doctoral degree (Ph.D.) in computer science, psychology, information science, systems engineering, or a related discipline with a focus on human factors, user experience design, HCI, interaction design, and/or extended reality (e.g., augmented, virtual, and/or mixed). The Ph.D. must have been completed no later than April 15, 2024.

The successful candidate will have a demonstrated record of research excellence focusing on some aspect of interaction or systems design. Evidence of excellence in research/research potential (commensurate and appropriate for the candidate’s stage of career development) can be demonstrated by publications in top-ranked journals, conference presentations, as well as research grants. Along with 1-2 sample publications, applicants should submit a Research Statement (3 pages max.) that clearly describes the focus of their research and a plan for furthering that research agenda over the next 5 years.

The successful candidate will be expected to teach in our Master's and undergraduate programs in courses such as UX Research Methods, Human Factors, and Interaction Design. An example of the teaching load in a given year might include UX100 Design Thinking I, UX600 Human Centered Design, UX604 Research Methods II, and UX605 Prototyping. Evidence of excellence in experiential teaching and pedagogical inquiry can be demonstrated through the Teaching Dossier submitted as part of the application. The Teaching Dossier will include a strong statement of teaching philosophy and pedagogical approach as evidenced by a concise selection of outstanding teaching materials such as syllabi and course materials or other evidence of teaching excellence.

The successful candidate will also be committed to collaboration and/or engagement with the broader community and contributing to the administration of the UX degree programs.
The User Experience Design program at Wilfrid Laurier University is multidisciplinary in its focus. It provides an innovative approach to the design of experiences including services, products, digital applications, and spaces. The undergraduate major and Master’s are offered at WLU’s innovative Brantford campus, which is integrated into the downtown core, and the minor in UX is offered on both the Waterloo and the Brantford campuses.

The ideal candidate will preferably demonstrate a commitment to critical making and designing for equity, diversity, inclusion, and social justice.

Applicants should submit:
• Cover letter outlining qualifications for the position and fit with User Experience Design
at Laurier,
• Curriculum Vitae,
• Teaching dossier as described above,
• Teaching evaluations,
• Research dossier including a statement of research, research plan and 1-2 sample
publications, and
• Contact information (address, telephone, and email) for at least three referees.

Application packages must be submitted by email to:
Dr. Kathryn Carter
Program Coordinator, User Experience Design,
Wilfrid Laurier University
c/o Nicole Morgan, Academic Program Administrator nmorgan@wlu.ca

Applications will be accepted until May 17, 2024 at 11:59 p.m.

If you require any assistance applying for a position or would like this job posting in an
alternative format, please contact Nicole Morgan, nmorgan@wlu.ca.

The Faculty of Liberal Arts wishes to thank all applicants for their interest. All nominations and applications shall be reviewed and considered under a set of criteria established by the Search Committee, and a short list of candidates shall be interviewed. Only those applicants selected for the short list will be contacted.

Wilfrid Laurier University’s Strategic Academic Plan prioritizes building capacity in Indigenous education and commits to the Indigenization of our campuses through Indigenous programming, which it seeks to expand under the leadership of Indigenous students, faculty and staff. WLU is committed to employment equity and values diversity. Laurier welcomes applications from candidates who identify as Indigenous, racialized, having disabilities, and a person of any sexual identities and gender identities. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, as per Canadian immigration laws, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. To comply with the Government of Canada’s reporting requirements, the University is obligated to gather information about applicants’ status as either Permanent Residents of Canada or Canadian citizens. Applicants need not identify their country of origin or current citizenships; however, all applicants must include one of the following statements in their cover letter:

Yes, I am a current citizen or permanent resident of Canada; or
No, I am not a current citizen or permanent resident of Canada.

Members of designated groups must self-identify, in confidence, to: (Dr. Janny Leung, Dean, Faculty of Liberal Arts). Further information on the equity policy can be found at
https://www.wlu.ca/about/governance/assets/resources/8.4-employment-equity.html

Applicants are encouraged to address any career interruptions or special circumstances that may have affected their record of research and teaching, in accordance with SSHRC and NSERC definitions and guidelines.