da Vinci Center - Assistant Professor (nontenured)

Mission or Goal of Unit:

At VCU, we exceed through learning, research, creativity, service and discovery - the hallmarks of the VCU experience. As a premier, urban, public research university nationally recognized as one of the best employers for diversity, VCU is a great place to work. It’s a place of opportunity, where your success is supported and your career can thrive.

The da Vinci Center for Innovation is prototyping the future of higher education through cross-disciplinary academic, experiential, and experimental learning opportunities. Measured by advancements in the human condition and the application of real-world knowledge and skills.

A collaboration of VCU’s schools of the Arts, Business, Engineering and College of Humanities and Sciences, the VCU da Vinci Center is a unique collegiate model that advances innovation and entrepreneurship through cross-disciplinary collaboration. The academic and other program offerings of the da Vinci Center aim to create T-shaped individuals: individuals who are anchored in a discipline and have the capacity and openness to span across disciplines. Students participating in the da Vinci Center view innovation and entrepreneurship from multiple disciplinary perspectives and, thus, are prepared for the 21st-century workforce by more robustly approaching the innovation/entrepreneurship endeavor.

Chief Purpose of this position:

The da Vinci Center for Innovation seeks a dynamic educator and practitioner to contribute to the Center’s academic, experiential, and experimental approach to higher education.

Position Responsibilities:

This teaching-intensive, 12-month position, will have primary teaching responsibilities in the Master of Product Innovation (MPI) program and also oversee the Center’s Entrepreneurship Academy - a collection of stackable microcredentials and digital badges offered to students, community, and corporate partners.

Additional responsibilities may include courses in the the da Vinci Center’s undergraduate certificates in product innovation, venture creation and human-centered design. Other responsibilities include course and curriculum development, mentoring students, and serving on committees. This faculty member will be a catalyst for innovative and high quality instruction and may develop or co-develop new courses and other learning modules as necessary.

In addition to the Entrepreneurship Academy, this position will manage specific entrepreneurship-focused experiential programs such as the VCU’s Pre-Accelerator program and VCU Demo Day.

Required Qualifications:

Masters or PhD degree in business, design, engineering or related field, or 10+ years experience in small business development, product development, innovation, entrepreneurship or related field.

Demonstrated experience teaching at the undergraduate or graduate level.

Excellent written and oral communications skills.

Demonstrated experience working in and fostering a diverse faculty, staff, and student environment or commitment to do so as a faculty member at VCU.

Preferred Qualifications:

Expertise in product innovation and entrepreneurship, as well as the skills necessary to establish connections and develop strong relationships with businesses, government, and fellow scholars.

An established network across multiple industries with a focus on product, innovation and entrepreneurship is highly desired.

Experience with design thinking, service design, and change management.

Experience serving in a mentorship role with graduate students and/or early career professionals in the product innovation space.

Application Process: Candidates should upload their application with: a cover letter, curriculum vitae, teaching statements, and the names and e-mail addresses of four references. Reference letters will be requested by the search committee only for the short-listed candidates. Only complete applications that meet the required qualifications will be considered. Review of applications will start immediately, and will continue until filled. For additional information, please contact the chairs of the faculty search committee, Mary-Chris Escobar (escobarmc@vcu.edu) & Stephanie Danis (sdanis@vcu.edu)