Open Positions

Life Design Fellow

One Year Term Fellowship - In Person @ Stanford

Applications now open.

Stanford Life Design Fellowship

The Stanford Life Design Lab designs, implements and delivers courses, programs and tools with the strategic goal of applying the innovation principles of design thinking to the wicked problems of designing one's life, education and vocation. The Life Design Lab is looking for a new Fellow, starting January 1st, 2025 and running through August 31st, 2026 to join our team at Stanford University. Before completing the application, please ensure that you have reviewed the fellowship description and required application materials which can be found here.

Responsibilities for the fellowship will include:

  • Collaborating with a dynamic team of instructors developing curriculum, teaching and measuring impact of our 10-week d.life courses at Stanford (Designing Your Life, Designing Your Stanford and Designing the Professional)

  • Executing the Life Design Studio training focused on sharing our life design curriculum to higher education institutions in contexts all around the world, including teaching, event preparation and management.

  • Managing and developing our Life Design Studio community of practice through development and delivery of website and newsletter content.

In addition to these responsibilities, Fellows can expect the unexpected. From pivoting to deliver workshops virtually, to developing curriculum specifically for specific campus populations, to putting together an international training in 2 weeks, the d.life teaching team is versatile, nimble and leans into “Yes, and!” We work as a team, collaborating to perform course administration, student group facilitation, and teaching. Fellows also have assignments on project initiatives, selected based upon lab priorities and opportunities, and Fellow interests and skill set. Some past and ongoing projects:

  • Development of online and asynchronous content

  • Designing short form workshops and intensives for on campus partners including Career Education, University Human Resources, Athletics, HAAS Service Center and various community centers on campus

  • Creation of videos, physical materials and virtual communications to share our work broadly

The position is an entry level, salaried position and includes full benefits.  The role is structured as an 80% time 1 year Lecturer appointment in the Design Division of the Mechanical Engineering Department. The expected pay range for this position is $60,000 - $67,000 per annum.

QUALIFICATIONS

  • A bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience  (Human centered design or related fields, education, psychology, anthropology, applicable to the work preferred.)

  • Teaching and facilitation experience in a post-secondary setting, including development of learning objectives and assessment of outcomes.

  • A genuine interest in student formation and experiential learning.

  • Design thinking training or experience (eg: a life design class, design boot camp, d.school classes)

  • Ability to work independently on multiple projects, to set priorities and to meet deadlines

  • A collaborative, flexible and hands-on approach to work

PREFERRED COMPETENCIES

  • Experience with learning and curriculum design

  • Knowledge of program assessment and evaluation methods

  • Expertise in group facilitation

  • Comfort with student coaching 

  • Experience, knowledge and demonstrated commitment to and engagement with diversity, equity and inclusion

  • Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Suite and Google Suite products as well as Canvas or an equivalent learning management system

  • Diverse life experiences and a winding life path

  • An ability to embrace ambiguity and design your way forward

  • Ability to speak multiple languages (English plus Mandarin, Spanish etc.)

APPLICATION INFORMATION

Candidates should apply through this form with the following information:

  • Statement of Interest: A one-page statement of interest addressed to the Life Design Lab that outlines how your experiences, interests, and ambitions align with the fellowship.

  • Resume: Prepare a one-page resume that highlights your leadership, skills, education and experience relevant to the fellowship in reverse-chronological order. Please select a font and font size that ensures your document is legible.

  • Teaching Video: A teaching video that is less than 5 minutes in length. Videos may be a simple smartphone video of you teaching about something you care about or a clip from a previous teaching and/or speaking engagement. Please share a link where we will be able to watch your video (e.g. an unlisted Youtube link, a direct link to a video file)

Most of all, we’re looking for someone enthusiastic about design thinking and life design and excited to bring that enthusiasm, energy and engagement to the lab and to Stanford students. We hope that might be you!

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

  • Frequently stand, walk, twist, bend, stoop, squat and use fine light/fine grasping.

  • Occasionally sit, reach above shoulders, perform desk-based computer tasks, use a telephone and write by hand, lift, carry, push, and pull objects that weigh up to 40 pounds.

  • Frequently moving tables, chairs, whiteboards on wheels, and other heavy items as require to set up up our teaching spaces.

  • Rarely kneel, crawl, climb ladders, grasp forcefully, sort and file paperwork or parts, rarely lift, carry, push, and pull objects that weigh 40 pounds or more.

WORKING STANDARDS:

  • Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrates the ability to work well with Stanford colleagues and with external organizations.

  • Promote Culture of Safety: Demonstrates commitment to personal responsibility and value for safety; communicates safety concerns; uses and promotes safe behaviors based on training and lessons learned.

  • Subject to and expected to comply with all applicable University policies and procedures, including but not limited to the personnel policies and other policies found in the University’s Administrative Guide, http://adminguide.stanford.edu/.

The job duties listed are typical examples of work performed by positions in this job classification and are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary depending on department or program needs without changing the general nature and scope of the job or level of responsibility. Employees may also perform other duties as assigned.

Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact kathyhdavies@stanford.edu. 

Stanford is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.  Stanford welcomes applications from all who would bring additional dimensions to the University's research, teaching and clinical missions.

Course Facilitator

We are always looking for amazing facilitators to support our students:

TIME COMMITMENT

Quarter-long commitment, ~3.5 hours per week for 10 weeks

RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Attend an hour long pre-brief to help set up and prepare for class, include going over lesson plans, and getting set for facilitation of group conversations during class

  • As part of class, facilitate a group of 6-8 students to create a generative environment to discuss activities, readings and assignments of the class. Lead small group discussions at your table

  • Participate in debrief after class

  • Review readings and homework in preparation for leading that wee'k’s section discussions.

  • Total time commitment over the quarter will be ~35 hours

  • Paid, according to standard student rates for Mechanical Engineering Department graders ($15-18 per hour based on year in school / experience), or honorarium standard between departments in the case of staff.

Qualifications

Open to former students and Stanford faculty / staff interested in engaging with a class only.

Apply

Please reach out with the course you would be interested in facilitating for to lifedesignlab@lists.stanford.edu.