Lecturer

MIT • Cambridge, MA

13d • Onsite

About The Position

This is a part-time (40%) Lecturer position for D-Lab, serving as an instructor for two combined class variations: a 12-unit 'Design' class (2.722J/EC.720 D-Lab Design) and a 6-unit 'Leadership in Design' class (EC.725 Leadership in Design). This mechanical engineering prototyping class utilizes design thinking and human-centered design frameworks. Student teams will collaborate with innovative global start-ups and nonprofits to address global challenges in various sectors. The classes are co-taught by a two-instructor team, incorporating lectures and teamwork sessions on both class days. Both classes meet as a combined group on Mondays and Wednesdays from 2:30 PM to 5:00 PM during the Spring Semester, from February 1 to May 11, 2027. Students will learn the steps of the design thinking process, including user research, brainstorming, prototyping, iteration, and testing, through lectures and hands-on experience. They will create early-stage prototypes with feedback from international partners, the D-Lab workshop manager, and instructors. Additional content will cover 'design for development' themes, challenges of designing in resource-limited settings, designing for affordability and sustainability, and strategies for project management and respectful community engagement.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree
• Minimum of three years of relevant experience in product design and development
• Experience in using the human-centered design process
• Hands-on expertise in mechanical fabrication
• Expertise with value chain analysis and/or engineering analysis
• Expertise in studio-based design pedagogy
• Experience working with students in a project-based environment
• Excellent organizational skills
• Excellent time-management skills
• Excellent oral and written communication skills

Nice To Haves

• Master's degree in engineering or an equivalent professional degree
• Experience in engineering, design, and/or manufacturing in low-income international settings

Responsibilities

• Serve as instructor for two combined class variations: 'Design' and 'Leadership in Design'.
• Co-teach lectures and facilitate teamwork sessions.
• Guide students through the design thinking and human-centered design frameworks.
• Oversee student teams in creating early-stage prototypes.
• Provide feedback on student projects from international partners, workshop manager, and instructors.
• Deliver lectures on design thinking process steps (user research, brainstorming, prototyping, iteration, testing).
• Deliver content related to 'design for development' themes, constraints in resource-limited settings, affordability, sustainability, project management, and community engagement.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Mid Level