The Keller Center for Innovation in Engineering Education at Princeton University seeks applications for the James Wei Visiting Professorship for Academic Year 2024-2025. Made possible by the generous support of several Princeton alumni, the James Wei Visiting Professorship is a key element of Princeton's broadening scope of design thinking and entrepreneurship education. The course offerings range from design thinking courses such as "Creativity, Innovation and Design" to entrepreneurship and social entrepreneurship courses such as "Entrepreneurial Leadership", "Special Topics in Social Entrepreneurship" and "Policy Entrepreneurship for the 21st Century." The co-curricular offerings at the Keller Center include summer internships, the Summer Accelerator Program of eLab, the Tiger Challenge program in design thinking, and campus events such as a lecture series and the annual Innovation Forum. Additionally, there is broad active student engagement in entrepreneurship through various clubs/groups and initiatives by individual faculty and students.

The appointment provides anywhere from half to full academic year support. The visitor will teach, on campus, at least one novel undergraduate course, which is expected to be different from, but complimentary to, the existing curriculum. The visitor will also undertake some activities that contribute to the life of the Keller Center and the University. The visitor is expected to bring a unique and creative educational experience to students through classroom teaching and other projects. Educational innovation is of particular interest in this appointment. Candidates will be evaluated according to their scholarship and teaching ability, and their track record of innovations and innovative teaching methods as applied to design thinking and entrepreneurship. Candidates with expertise and teaching plans well aligned with Center priorities will be prioritized.

Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred.

For full consideration, applications should be received by September 15, 2023. Applications should include:

  1. the candidate's curriculum vitae;
  2. a career statement that addresses the candidate's prior experiences relevant to the application and proposed teaching;
  3. a teaching statement in which the candidate discusses their plans for the visiting semester or year, with particular emphasis on how their proposed new course fits into the existing Keller Center curriculum and usefully builds beyond it;
  4. the names and contact information for three references that can comment on the candidate's qualifications and experiences relevant to the proposed activities. Letters will later be solicited for any top candidates.

Apply by September 15, 2023

Former James Wei Visiting Professors

Inaugurated in 2007, this professorship is a key element of Princeton's broadening scope of entrepreneurship education in the School of Engineering and Applied Science at Princeton University. Previous holders of this professorship include: