RECTOR OF UMEÅ INSTITUTE OF DESIGN

The Umeå Institute of Design, UID, is an art based design education,  
part of the Faculty of Science and Technology at Umeå University. UID  
offers international industrial design education at Bachelor and  
Master's levels and has been judged as one of the world’s foremost  
educations in the field of industrial design. Our reputation is built  
on dedicated teaching, exceptionally advanced facilities, a creative  
climate and close cooperation with industry. Our programmes attract  
enrolments from all over the world and we currently have students from  
26 different countries creating a unique blend of creative energy and  
cross-cultural enrichment.

The educational programmes include a BA in Industrial Design, taught  
in Swedish, and three specialised MA programmes taught in English.  
These are Advanced Product Design, Interaction Design and  
Transportation Design. We also offer a PhD programme in industrial  
design as well as courses in design related subjects for other  
students at the University.

The rector now in office will retire. After 20 years of success we are  
now seeking a new rector to pioneer the next phase of development. We  
are looking for a person – from industry or university – with a deep  
understanding of the challenges facing the future of industrial design  
and a strong vision to refine and further develop our educational  
programmes and research. UID intends to develop a stronger global  
position by building stable relationships with leading international  
educational organisations and industries. Our educational strategies  
will continue to be driven by perceptive insights into the future of  
design.

The successful candidate will also play a key role in developing the  
Umeå Art Campus which will include Umeå Institute of Design, the new  
School of Architecture, the Art School, the Contemporary Art Museum  
and will create a unique meeting place for the humanities and  
technology.

The new Rector will be joint-leader with the Head of Department who is  
responsible for all administration, economic and employee issues. This  
allows the Rector to focus on strategic issues, developing educational  
practices, establishing new international contacts and continuing to  
build the foundations and directions of our research programmes.

As Rector you will be responsible for:
•  supervising and encouraging the continuous development of the study  
subject industrial design in cooperation with staff.
•  supervising the pedagogical direction, creative skills development,  
aesthetic foundations and research scope at UID.
•  extending, developing and consolidating UID´s position at  
international, national and regional levels in cooperation with staff.
•  strategic planning and contemporary social and environmental  
analysis.
•  actively working to increase the resources at UID.
•  preparation of material for decision making at Department board  
level in cooperation with the Head of Department.
•  decision making according to the current mandate concerning the  
Departments activities.

You will be leading:
•  quality development work including evaluation procedures
•  the work on marketing, external and internal communication
•  the work of initiating, developing, encouraging contacts with  
industry and education and research communities

The position is permanent for a duration of five years and could be  
prolonged. It is desirable that the new Rector is in office spring  
2009. The applicants are requested to formulate how they envision  
their role as the future leader of UID.

QUALIFICATION
We are looking for candidates who are accomplished industrial design  
professionals with extensive practical experience, creative skill and  
theoretical understanding. You may come from a prominent position in  
education or design practice. Additionally, the successful applicant  
should be able to demonstrate excellent skills in leadership,  
pedagogics, communication and administration.

The new Rector is expected to be an inspiring team-leader capable of  
conducting innovative development work in collaboration with students,  
faculty staff and key members of the University. You should also feel  
accustomed to playing a prominent role in international contexts.

Qualifications should include an academic degree in industrial design  
or related subject. Fluency in English is required. A good command of  
the Swedish language – or willingness to learn – is a considerable  
advantage.

BASIS FOR ASSESSMENT
At the assessment importance will primarily be placed on the  
applicant’s documented capability regarding industrial design skills,  
leadership, co-operation and communication. Secondly pedagogical and  
administration capabilities will be evaluated.

Your application should include:
• CV
• Recommendation letters
• A statement of your vision and intention for the position
• Documentation of education, employments and other qualification

INFORMATION AND INSTRUCTIONS

http://www8.umu.se/umu/aktuellt/arkiv/lediga_tjanster/316-123-09.html

For questions, please contact:
Head of Department Tapio Alakörkkö
[log in to unmask]; +46 90 786 98 35.

Rector Bengt Palmgren
[log in to unmask]; +46 70 341 03 12.

Ass. Head of Department Maria Göransdotter
[log in to unmask]; +46 90 786 70 36.

Umeå Institute of Design, Umeå University
SE 901 87 Umeå, Sweden
[log in to unmask]
www.dh.umu.se
Union information is available from SACO, +46-(0)90-786 53 65, SEKO  
civil, +46-(0)90-786 52 96 and ST, +46-(0)90-786 54 31.

Applications will be discarded or, if the applicant so wishes,  
returned two years after the position has been filled. Documents sent  
electronically should be in MS Word or PDF format.

Your complete application, marked with reference number 316-123-09,  
should be sent to [log in to unmask] or to the Registrar, Umeå University,  
SE-901 87 Umeå, Sweden to arrive March 31, 2009 at the latest.

We look forward receiving your application!