The College of Design is situated within a world-class public research institution dedicated to meeting the challenges of the future. We believe that every employee plays an important role in achieving the college's teaching, research, and outreach mission.
Employment Opportunities
Full position descriptions for job opportunities can be found on the University's Office of Human Resources' employment website. To view and apply for current opportunities, enter the job ID number in the keyword search.
If you have any questions on how to apply, please reach out to the College of Design HR Team at [email protected].
Welcome, Job Seekers!
Faculty Positions
Part-time Adjunct Faculty - Department of Architecture, Landscape Architecture, and Interior Design (ALI)
The department of Architecture in the School of Architecture, Landscape Architecture, and Interior Design has periodic openings for Adjunct Faculty to teach lectures or seminars, design-based courses, and studios or workshops. Courses vary from 3 credit half semester workshops to 6 credit full semester studio courses. In-classroom hours vary from 3 hours per week for a 3-credit lecture, to 12 hours per week for a 6-credit studio.
Job ID: 374810
Adjunct Lecturer or Teaching Specialist - Department of Design Innovation
As one of the most comprehensive design colleges in the country, the College of Design’s vision is to be the recognized leader in advancing transformative thinking and practice, and reinventing our disciplines and professions for a new century. In order to prepare our students to confront the real challenges of our time, every College of Design graduate from the University of Minnesota will:
- Be able to apply design thinking as a way to address issues big and small confronting the local and
world community - Understand and be prepared for the social, environmental, and economic ramifications of each problem they address and every decision they make in their work
Not only be able to conceive unique ideas, but be capable of implementing those ideas through actionable plans, projects, or strategies.
The Department of Design Innovation (DESI) in the College of Design welcomes applications for Part-Time Instructors to teach designated courses based on the following areas according to the needs of the department:
- Graphic Design
- Retail and Consumer Studies
- Apparel Design
- Interior Design
- User Experience (UX) Design
Design Innovation Common Core
Applications are reviewed as openings occur, and individual applicants are invited to interview when their skills or areas of expertise match an opening. This posting is designed to establish a pool of instructors. Applications will be reviewed when openings occur throughout the academic year/summer. Pay Range: $7,762 to $12,265 depending on a number of factors, including: credits taught, academic discipline, education, qualifications, and experience.
Job ID: 375026
Teaching Assistant (Multiple Openings) - Department of Architecture, Landscape Architecture, and Interior Design
The School of Architecture, Landscape Architecture, and Interior Design (ALI) at the University of Minnesota invites applications for Teaching Assistant Roles (Job code 9511) throughout the department. Appointments will be for either the fall 2026 or spring 2027 semesters of the 2026-2027 academic term.
Teaching Assistants will work in one of three tracks:
- Building Technology,
- History/Theory, Design, or
- Media and Representation.
Applicants will indicate in their submission materials which tracks they would like to pursue and discuss openings with the TA coordinator.
This role is covered by the collective bargaining agreement between the University of Minnesota and GLU-UE.
Key Responsibilities:
- Attend scheduled course periods
- Conduct independent recitation sections in coordination with the instructor
- Hold weekly office hours
- Conduct and assist in grading of course work at the direction of the course instructor
- Participate in course preparation and planning at the direction of the instructor
Complete training as required for assigned courses
Job ID: 375216
Graduate Research Assistant (Multiple Openings) - Department of Architecture, Landscape Architecture, and Interior Design
The School of Architecture, Landscape Architecture, and Interior Design (ALI) at the University of Minnesota invites applications for Graduate Research Assistant Roles (Job code 9521) throughout the department. Appointments will be for either the fall 2026 or spring 2027 semester of the 2026-2027 academic term.
Graduate Assistants will work in one of three tracks:
- Technology,
- History/Theory, or
- Design and Representation.
Applicants will indicate which track they would like to pursue and discuss openings with the TA coordinator.
This role is covered by the collective bargaining agreement between the University of Minnesota and GLU-UE.
Key Responsibilities
- Assist faculty and primary investigators (PIs) with funded research initiatives
- Conduct literature reviews and prepare bibliographies at the direction of the PI
- Assist in writing and editing of manuscripts
- Assist in the development and execution of experiments (material, computer simulations, etc)
- Assist in the development and fabrication of exhibits (posters, objects, VR, etc.)
Job ID: 375215
Staff Positions
Finance Director
The Finance Director serves as the senior technical accounting, finance and budget lead for the College of Design (CDes), responsible for ensuring the operational integrity, policy compliance, and fiscal health of the college. Reporting to the Assistant Dean for Strategy and Advancement, this role directs daily financial operations, manages the comprehensive annual budget planning process, and oversees resource allocations across all academic departments and units.
As a vital strategic partner, the Finance Director provides executive-level data analysis, trend reporting, and forecasting to support the Dean, Assistant Dean, department chairs, and other collegiate leadership, in critical decision-making. The position combines hands-on technical expertise and authority - serving as the ultimate college-wide system approver for financial transactions - with leadership, directly supervising a team of finance professionals and representing the college's fiscal interests to central university administration. Salary Range: $130,000 - $170,000
Job ID: 374323
Student Positions
Department of Design Innovation Teaching Assistant: Fall 2026 - Spring 2027
The Department of Design Innovation (DESI) at the University of Minnesota invites applications for Teaching Assistant Roles (Job code 9511). Appointments will be for the fall 2026 semester, the spring 2027 semester or the 2026-2027 academic year. Positions are available in Apparel Design, Graphic Design, Product Design, Retail Merchandising as well as the Design Common Core. Positions for User Experience Design may be available depending on enrollments. Priority will be given to students in the Design Grad program tracks and Human Factors and Ergonomics graduate degree programs offered and administered by the Department of Design Innovation. Job ID: 372664
Bringing people together in new ways, fostering discoveries, and making our world a better place is what we do at the University of Minnesota and the College of Design. Located within the vibrant metropolitan community of Minneapolis and St. Paul, employees of the college have the opportunity to work and connect with one of the major design communities in the United States.
The University is dedicated to keeping you and your family healthy—physically, emotionally, financially, socially, and professionally. We believe in the concept of total compensation: a complete package of rewards that includes not just wages but a full scope of benefits to make sure our faculty and staff remain happy, healthy, and engaged in their work.
