Assistant Professor, Design and Disability, School of Design

San Francisco State University, School of Design offers an exciting opportunity for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position in Design and Disability, beginning August 2026. We seek a colleague whose teaching and research interests include a distinctive interdisciplinary focus at the intersection of Disability Studies and Design, and a practitioner-scholar who can teach design practice and theory in ways that support inclusive and equitable design outcomes.

We are especially interested in qualified candidates with a demonstrated commitment -- through their research, teaching, and service -- to the diversity and excellence of our academic program.

Required Qualifications

Required:

• MFA, Ph.D. or equivalent terminal degree in industrial/product design, interactive design, service design, architecture, or a relevant discipline from an accredited program. Terminal degree must be completed by the first day of employment.
• Evidence of research, scholarship, or creative activity that engages underrepresented communities and/or students, in the advancement of accessibility, equity, and inclusion.

Preferred:

• Record of teaching contributions in areas such as interactive design; industrial/product design; universal design; assistive technologies; accessibility in the built and digital environments; service design; and other domains related to the broad interdisciplinary area of design and disability.
• Active record of scholarship and/or creative activities which might include juried works, awards, funded projects, exhibitions, peer reviewed publications, etc.
• Demonstrated ability to incorporate inclusion, diversity, and educational equity in teaching, and/or scholarship/creative works.
• Experience teaching and working closely with students from historically under-represented communities.
• Record of contributing to supportive and collaborative work environments.

About San Francisco State University

SF State is a major public urban university, situated in one of the world's great cities. Building on a century-long history of commitment to quality teaching and broad access to undergraduate and graduate education, the University offers comprehensive, rigorous, and integrated academic programs that require students to engage in open-minded inquiry and reflection. SF State prepares its students to become productive, ethical, active citizens with a global perspective.

Mission Statement

San Francisco State University educates and equips students to thrive in a global society. We deliver academic excellence by pursuing knowledge, inspiring creativity, supporting our diverse community and advancing social justice and positive change in the world. Visit the Strategic Planning website to learn more.

About the Department

The School of Design serves a diverse body of students in the areas of Industrial Design and Visual Communication Design at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Our curriculum emphasizes design process as a means of problem-solving, and our classes help students to build the technical, conceptual, critical, and collaborative skills required in design professions.

Responsibilities

The position requires undergraduate and possibly graduate teaching in design and disability, mentoring and advising undergraduate and/or graduate students, developing an active ongoing scholarship program or program of creative work in one's area of specialty, and ongoing committee and service assignments.

Compensation

The Assistant Professor (Academic Year) classification salary range is:

$97,500 to $101,000 annually (12 monthly payments per academic year).

Salary offered is commensurate with experience and qualifications. In addition, the California Equal Pay Act prohibits employers from paying its employees less than those of the opposite sex and/or another race or ethnicity for substantially similar work ().Professional development funds, moving expenses, start-up funds, and a reduced teaching load may be available.

The California State University (CSU) provides generous health, retirement, and other benefits.

Application Procedure

A complete online application must be submitted by January 8, 2026 to receive consideration.

To apply for this position, upload the following materials:

Cover letter outlining your interest in the position, relating your relevant experience to the required qualifications and job responsibilities

Curriculum vitae

Portfolio of professional and creative work, research and/or teaching practice (up to 20 slides, 30MB file size; or live online website URL)

A teaching statement of no more than 500 words, describing your approach to teaching and learning, and teaching experience as applicable

Names and contact information of three references to be contacted at a later date

Please direct all questions about the position to Associate Professor Fernando Carvalho, Chair of the Search Committee, at fcarvalho.

Thank you for your interest in employment with California State University (CSU). CSU is a state entity whose business operations reside…