Job Description

Position Summary

The RDC seeks applications for Spring 2026 open instructor positions to teach in the Interdisciplinary Design Thinking Program as temporary, part-time instructor positions in face-to-face and online courses; and/or to oversee Lab Technicians in our Fabrication Labs.

The RDC is home to the Undergraduate Design Thinking Certificate, the Interdisciplinary Minor in Design Thinking, and the Graduate Certificate in Design Thinking Strategies and Technologies.

Detailed descriptions of our programs are available on the department website: https://www.chhs.colostate.edu/rdc/

Full Consideration Date

The pool closes on June 30, 2026, at which time applicants wishing to remain in the pool must reapply.

Brief Work Unit Description

Founded in 1870, Colorado State University is among the nation’s leading research universities and enrolls approximately 32,000undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. Located an hour north of the Denver metro area, Fort Collins is a vibrant community of approximately 157,000 residents that offers the convenience of a small town with all the amenities of a large city. Fort Collins is situated on the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains with views of 14,000 foot peaks, and offers access to numerous cultural, recreational, and outdoor opportunities.

The Richardson Design Center (RDC) is a multi-disciplinary center, located in the College of Health and Human Sciences at CSU, with a mission to foster interdisciplinary creative collaboration. It serves as a design-thinking hub where students from across campus can gather to collaborate, innovate, and prototype creative ideas in formal and informal learning spaces using state-of-the art equipment and technology. The RDC has: 4 studio/lab classrooms for hands-on learning, 1 seminar room for use by professional staff, 1 small dedicated project rooms that can also be used for student teams and visiting designers-in-residence, 2computer labs, a design exchange (for student presentations, gallery exhibitions, special lectures and events, etc.), an ideation lab(including virtual reality equipment), prototyping lab (laser cutters, 3d printers,
CNC textile equipment, etc), metal shop (traditional metalworking tools, welding, as well as state-of-the-art CNC milling machinery), wood shop (traditional woodworking hand and power tools as well as a large (4’x8’) CNC router), and a sustainable dark room.

Essential Job Duties

Essential job duties vary, by may include:

-Teaching undergraduate and/or graduate design thinking courses in face-to-face and/or online formats and assessing student learning.

-Supporting students through effective communication, feedback, and availability, while collaborating with program faculty and staff.

-Assist with Fabrication Lab activities as assigned.

Conditions of Employment

Pre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for new hires)

Supervision

N/A

Minimum Qualifications

-Bachelor's Degree with at least 2-years industry experience in an appropriate discipline is required to teach in 100-400 level IDEA courses

-Master's Degree or Ph.D. in an appropriate discipline is required to teach in 500-600 level IDEA courses.

Preferred Qualifications

-Demonstrated success developing and teaching university and/or professional development courses

-Academic and/or professional experience using design thinking processes and methods.

Application Instructions

This is an open pool posting. Applications will be reviewed as hiring needs arise, and qualified applicants may be contacted by individual faculty members if a suitable opportunity becomes available. This pool will expire on June 30, 2026. Applicants wishing to be considered beyond this date must reapply.

Salary Range

Required Application Documents

To apply, please upload the following applicant documents. Ensure your materials fully address the required and preferred job qualifications of the position. Please note, applicants may redact information from their application materials that identifies their age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution.

Employee Benefits

Colorado State University is not just a workplace; it’s a thriving community that’s transforming lives and improving the human condition through world-class teaching, research, and service. With a robust benefits package, collaborative atmosphere, and focus on work-life balance, CSU is where you can thrive, grow, and make a lasting impact.

• Review our detailed benefits information here.

• Explore the additional perks of working at CSU here.

• For the total value of CSU benefits in addition to wages, use our compensation calculator.

• Lastly, click here for more information about why Fort Collins is consistently ranked in the top cities to live in!

Background Check Policy Statement

Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks for the finalist before a final offer. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.

EEO

Colorado State University (CSU) provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.