Call for Applications: Academic Position, School of Design – Institute for Sustainable Development

Tipo de planta académica: Regular Academic Track

Employment: Full time

The School of Design and the Institute for Sustainable Development (IDS) at  UC Chile invite applications for a tenure-track faculty position with a joint appointment. The position is open to candidates at the Assistant or Associate Professor level in the areas of circular economy, design for sustainability, sustainable innovation, and sustainable futures.

Duties

Applicants are expected to deliver high-quality teaching at both undergraduate and graduate levels, as well as to lead independent research in areas such as sustainable product, service, and system design; circular economy and design; biomaterials, among other related fields. Additional responsibilities include knowledge transfer, outreach activities, student advising, and university administrative tasks. The selected candidate is also expected to develop a research agenda and actively engage in collaborative partnerships with public and private sector stakeholders, contributing to academic and social impact.

Teaching

At the undergraduate level, the candidate will teach courses both in the School of Design and in the IDS. Teaching responsibilities will cover topics related to sustainability, circular economy, sustainable innovation, strategic design, and sustainable development, fulfilling the teaching commitments agreed upon with each unit. The candidate is also expected to teach and supervise graduate students (Master’s and Doctoral) in related areas.

Research/Creation

The successful candidate is expected to conduct original and relevant research and to secure funding through applications to national and international research grants. The candidate should join interdisciplinary teams and publish research results in high-impact indexed journals and/or present their work in equally relevant venues or platforms. Research in biomaterials, circular design, systems thinking, and the design process will be positively valued.

Outreach and Engagement

The IDS and the School of Design are strongly committed to applying new knowledge to the sustainable transformation of our societies. Sharing expertise beyond the academic sphere is fundamental to our mission. The selected candidate is expected to carry out applied projects with public and private entities. Prior experience in research, development, and knowledge transfer projects will be positively considered.

UC Chile is committed to equal opportunity, to building an inclusive, diverse, and fraternal community, and to promoting the academic development of both women and men.

Applicants must hold a degree in Design and a Master’s and/or Doctorate in a related field. Degrees in Design (BA, MA, M.Sc., PhD) will be positively valued. Evidence of applied teaching, professional trajectory, and research activity developed during the academic career is required. Applications must include records of prior academic experience. Foreign applicants must be proficient in Spanish at the time of application. Communication skills in English are mandatory. Candidates must demonstrate a strong commitment to an academic career and to contributing to UC’s mission of serving society.

Applicants should show high motivation for continuous improvement of teaching skills, genuine interest in participating in our curricular programs, and the ability to initiate and maintain an active research agenda resulting in applied research and quality publications.

Applicants must also demonstrate a deep understanding of the transformative role of design in achieving sustainable realities, and how an interdisciplinary research approach could strengthen the institutional mission of the School of Design and the IDS at UC Chile.

• Foreign applicants selected for the position must obtain the corresponding visa from the consulate in their country of origin in order to join the university’s academic staff.

Interested applicants must send the following documents to Pilar Rodríguez, Academic Processes Coordinator at the School of Design (pilar.rodriguez@uc.cl), in a single consolidated PDF file:

• A brief teaching statement, explaining why the applicant should be considered for the position, and outlining teaching plans for courses aligned with the joint appointment (maximum 1000 words or 2 pages).
• A brief research statement, indicating the objectives of the applicant’s research plan in line with the joint appointment (maximum 1000 words or 2 pages).
• An updated curriculum vitae.
• If available, copies of recent publications relevant to the application.
• Teaching evaluations or equivalent evidence.
• Two letters of recommendation from academics.

Application materials may be submitted in Spanish or English.

Selected applicants will be contacted via email for an online interview with the Advisory Committee for Faculty Recruitment and will be asked to present a brief lecture on their experience to the academic community. At this stage, additional information and official academic records may be required.

Please submit your application with the subject line: SUSTAINABLE DESIGN APPLICATION – IDS /NAME/SURNAME.

Applications will be accepted until March 15, 2026, and the selected candidate must be prepared to begin in the second semester of 2026.