The Department of Information Design, Faculty of Business and Communication Studies at Mount Royal University invites applications for a tenure track position which will commence July 1, 2023, subject to final budgetary approval, at the rank of Assistant Professor.

About MRU

Founded in 1910 and located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Mount Royal University grew into a vibrant college in the 1930s and became a mid-sized university in 2009. Mount Royal has carved out a distinct niche by offering smaller class sizes, a robust liberal education and unique undergraduate programs. Currently, more than 15,000 credit students choose from 13 bachelor degrees and 38 majors.

Mount Royal University is located in the traditional territories of the Niitsitapi (Blackfoot) and the people of the Treaty 7 region in southern Alberta, which includes the Siksika, the Piikani, the Kainai, the Tsuut’ina and the Iyarhe Nakoda. We are situated on land where the Bow River meets the Elbow River. The traditional Blackfoot name of this place is “Mohkinstsis,” which we now call the city of Calgary. The city of Calgary is also home to the Métis Nation.

Mount Royal University is committed to removing barriers and fostering the inclusion of voices that have been historically underrepresented or discouraged in our society. In support of our belief that diversity in our faculty and staff enriches the work, learning and research experiences for the entire campus community, we strongly encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply and self-identify.

About the School of Communication Studies

The Information Design Department is located in the Faculty of Business and Communication Studies at Mount Royal University. The School of Communication Studies consists of four programs: Public Relations, Broadcast Media Studies, Journalism, and Information Design.The Faculty of Business and Communication Studies is committed to creating and maintaining a diverse and inclusive learning environment that furthers equity, inclusion and social justice. We actively seek candidates whose experiences, teaching philosophies, and scholarly practice prepare them to expand and contribute to that commitment.

The Bachelor of Communication Studies in Information Design at Mount Royal University consists of an interdisciplinary faculty of specialists in the service of diverse and high-performing students. Information designers use human-centric processes to deliver the right content, at the right time, to the right audience. We build skills in problem-solving, design-thinking, writing, data visualization and usability testing. Students learn to develop information products that are clear, concise and visually engaging in online, print, mobile and even augmented and virtual reality environments. Information designers translate complicated information (data) into simple, understandable and useful content for business and citizens, advocating for all users. The students pass through the program in tightly-knit cohorts, and must complete a mandatory 450 hours of work experience before graduation.

About the Role

The Department of Information Design, Faculty of Business and Communication Studies at Mount Royal University invites applications for a tenure track position which will commence July 1, 2023, subject to final budgetary approval, at the rank of Assistant Professor.

The primary professional responsibilities of instructional faculty members are: teaching, research, scholarship and/or creative activity, and service to the University, profession, discipline, and to the community. These responsibilities generally include: advising students, participating in campus and system-wide committees, maintaining office hours, working collaboratively and productively with colleagues, and participating in traditional academic functions.

The successful candidate will demonstrate a primary commitment to undergraduate teaching. The focus will be on teaching courses in the Information Design program and developing senior-level courses in their area of expertise. Successful candidates are expected to develop a research program that may include undergraduate students. The ability to attract external funding, or the promise of it, is desirable.

Qualifications

Preferred candidates will hold a minimum of a Master’s degree in a design or design-related discipline, or a technical or professional communication discipline with an emphasis on visual communication, or hold a masters in HCI, usability, or data science, with an emphasis on the visual communication of analytic content. A PhD or a doctorate in information or communication design, human-computer-design or interaction, digital humanities, with a UX or HCI specialization, or a doctorate in another discipline with experience deemed to be related, or relevant would be strongly considered.

Outstanding candidates from other areas and candidates with industry experience are encouraged to apply.

Priority will be given to applicants who specialize in one or more of the following areas:

• Information Design, User-Centric Design
• Data science, with an emphasis on the effective communication or presentation of analytic content
• User experience (UX), Usability testing or research, HCI
• Content Management, Content Management Systems (CMS), Database systems,
• Information Architecture
• Quantitative and Qualitative research methods, particularly as applied to Usability, User Experience
• Experience with structured and unstructured data
• Data manipulation, e.g. Tableau, PowerBI, Optimal Workshop, Excel, Power Query, Orange Data Mining
• Product Development, e.g. Agile, distributed teams, Life-Cycle Product Management.
• Prototyping Tools, e.g. Adobe XD, Figma

Responsibilities

New faculty are hired into one of two work patterns. The teaching-scholarship-service pattern (TSS) has a focus on teaching with the requirement that the faculty member be involved in a research program as well as service to the Mount Royal community. The teaching-service pattern (TS) has a focus on teaching and service only. The successful candidate will be hired into the teaching-service pattern (TS). There is an option to change work patterns after tenure.

The successful candidate will be expected to teach courses among the following:

• INFO1661 Technical Communication
• INFO2667 Information Architecture
• INFO2670 Tools for Information Designers
• INFO3600 Usability
• INFO3611 Designing for Interactivity
• INFO3670 Project and Content Management

What We Offer

Talented and committed employees are the driving force behind student success. We strive to be an employer of choice among Canadian post-secondary institutions.

At Mount Royal University, we recognize that people are a combination of many intersecting identities; we work to cultivate an environment that welcomes the whole person, and harnesses the strength that is available in our diversity, creating a rich and inclusive workplace.

Investing in the learning and development of our employees benefits the individual and the University. A variety of services, resources and programs encourage a healthy, productive workplace. Mount Royal University offers a competitive total compensation package including health and dental benefits, pension, health and personal spending accounts, paid vacation, winter holiday closure, personal days and a free membership in our fully equipped recreation centre.

Our campus offers the convenience of a full medical clinic, dentist and pharmacy, as well as a variety of wellness services such as physiotherapists and massage therapists. Campus Recreation offers many activities, including personal training, climbing, aquatics, sports and certifications for students, employees and the public.

Closing Date: Open until a suitable candidate is found

Apply Here: https://mtroyalca.hua.hrsmart.com/hr/ats/Posting/view/2188