Ceramics and Foundations Assistant… at Universities… · Menomonie

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Position Title:

Ceramics and Foundations Assistant Professor

Job Category:

Faculty

Employment Type:

Regular

Job Profile:

Assistant Professor

Job Duties:

Key Job Responsibilities:

The School of Art and Design at the University of Wisconsin-Stout invites qualified candidates to apply for the tenure-track position of Ceramics and Foundations Assistant Professor. As full-time faculty, responsibilities will include teaching all levels of ceramics and foundations, professional and academic research in the field of ceramics, university service and student mentorship.

The individual hired will be teaching introductory through advanced level ceramics. The candidate will demonstrate ceramic expertise in a broad definition, with the ability to teach wheel-throwing, ceramic sculptural techniques, and mold making. Candidates should also be willing to engage in interdisciplinary or digital processes.  Expectations for this position also include studio management and maintenance, collaborative engagement with faculty both in the school and campus-wide, student worker supervision and teaching foundation courses in 3D Design, 2D Design, or drawing as qualified. Students vary from ceramic majors to all levels of art and design students, and other majors taking ceramics as a general education fulfillment.

The facilities are equipped with electric kilns, gas reduction kilns, and electric wheels, a slab roller, extruder, glaze room with a spray booth, and an advanced student work area. UW-Stout has an impressive ceramics facility, and the faculty is responsible for this area. These responsibilities include safety inspections, maintenance, electric and gas fueled reduction kiln firing, clay mixing, glaze mixing, ordering supplies, student worker supervision, and the mentoring of the student Ceramics Guild.

Primary expectations include teaching at the undergraduate and graduate levels, creative research, and service to the University. Course delivery is in-person and in accordance with NASAD standards. This is a full-time, 9-month academic year position.  

APPOINTMENT START DATE: August 16, 2027

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum / Required

• Have completed MFA in Ceramics

• Evidence of potential for teaching excellence 
• Experience teaching ceramics including creation and glazing at the college level
• Experience teaching one or more art foundation classes at the college level
• Ceramic studio management experience including glaze and clay mixing, gas and electric kiln operations.
• Expertise in two of the following with familiarity with all three: wheel-thrown pottery, sculptural hand building, mold making/slip casting techniques

Highly Desired/Preferred

• Active creative practice through a record of exhibitions, presentations, or other professional research activities
• Ability to utilize new and emerging digital technologies

Note: A terminal degree (M.F.A.) required for promotion to full professor, unless by special exception process.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Teach introductory through advanced level ceramics
• Teach foundations courses, such as 2D Design, 3D Design, or Drawing
• Lead Role in Ceramics Studio to include:
  • Safety inspections
  • Maintenance of electric and gas fueled reduction kiln firing
  • Clay mixing and glaze mixing
  • Ordering supplies
  • Student worker supervision
  • Mentoring of the student Ceramics Guild
• Conduct student academic advisement and conduct assessment of student learning. This includes contributing to academic program assessment, accreditation, and continuous improvement processes, in collaboration with faculty and staff.
• Maintain an active creative practice as a studio artist
• Participate in Department, School and/or University committees
• Foster a rigorous and inclusive learning environment
• Provide support to maintain a healthy and safe classroom environment, and perform other duties as designated by Chair.

DEPARTMENT INFORMATION

The School of Art & Design (SOAD) has over 85 faculty/staff and over 1,300 students, making it the largest public higher education art and design entity in the upper Midwest. The School of Art & Design student population accounts for 20% of the on-campus undergraduate population at UW-Stout. Our school serves the MFA in Design, ten undergraduate degrees, and seven minors. For more information, please visit: http://www.uwstout.edu/artdes/ 

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

Applications received by end of day, 6/12/2026 are ensured full consideration.  Applications submitted after 6/12/2026 may be reviewed at the discretion of the search committee.

To apply, click on the APPLY button or go to: https://www.uwstout.edu/about-us/careers-jobs

Required application materials:

• Cover letter (* See below)
• Curriculum vitae or resume
• Names and contact information for a minimum of three (3) professional references who can speak to your skills and abilities for the position
• Professional portfolio, a PDF or a link to an online portfolio of up to 20 samples of professional/creative work.
• Teaching portfolio of student outcomes (if applicable), link or no more than 20 pages.
• Teaching philosophy (1-2 pages)

*Please use your cover letter to speak to each of the Minimum/Required Qualifications for this position as listed above. For each required qualification, describe your relevant experience, using specific examples from your work history to illustrate how your experience satisfies the requirement.

For questions regarding this position or recruitment, please contact:

Search Chair: Aaron Durst

Email: dursta@uwstout.edu

If you need assistance with the online application process or if you submitted your application prior to uploading all the required application materials, please contact:

Search Coordinator: Rebecca Rother

Email: rotherr@uwstout.edu

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Competitive salary commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Guidelines to ensure consideration:    

• Applicants must complete all required fields and attach all required application materials.     

• Within your cover letter address each of the Minimum/Required Qualifications specified for this position. For each required qualification, describe your relevant experience, using specific examples from your work history to illustrate how your experience satisfies the requirement.  

It is the policy of UW-Stout to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance, or accommodation in applying because of a disability, please contact us using the information below. Employment opportunities will not be denied because of the need to make reasonable accommodation for a qualified individual's disability.   

The Universities of Wisconsin provides an excellent benefits package including participation in the Wisconsin State retirement plan, demonstrating our commitment to the diverse needs of our employees. 

• Employee Benefits:  https://www.wisconsin.edu/ohrwd/benefits/

• To calculate the estimated value of your total compensation, use the Health & Retirement Contributions Estimator | Employee Benefits (wisconsin.edu)

Employment is contingent upon the final candidate’s completing a criminal background check and being cleared to work by the Human Resources Office.  Employment is also contingent upon the final candidate passing reference checks and an essential job function test, as applicable. The reference check process includes asking the final candidates’ professional references questions regarding employee misconduct, sexual violence, and sexual harassment. Reference checks must be conducted at a minimum with three professional references, at least one of which must be a prior supervisor.

Final candidates with previous employment within the Universities of Wisconsin and State of WI agencies will be subject to additional reference checks. 

In response to a public records request, the Universities of Wisconsin will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in their online application, except that the identity of the successful final candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7).

UW-Stout is committed to providing safety and security of all members of our community in accordance with the Clery Act. For campus safety information and crime statistics visit: https://www.uwstout.edu/life-stout/police-and-parking/clery-information

UW is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other bases protected by applicable federal or State law and UW System policies. We are committed to building a workforce that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills, and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.