Tenure-Track Assistant Professor in Interior Architecture
- Employer
- The University of Kansas
- Location
- University of Kansas Lawrence Campus
View more categoriesView less categories
- Employment Type
- Full Time
- Institution Type
- Four-Year Institution
Job Details
We seek candidates who demonstrate ability to teach a variety of interior architecture studios and lecture/seminar courses in areas of expertise including (but not limited to) interior material technology and sustainability; history of architecture, interior design and art history; and/or design research. The successful candidate must be familiar with CIDA accreditation process and professional standards, interested in teaching across the interior architecture curriculum, able to engage in innovative and cross-disciplinary teaching, actively participate in research and/or creative scholarship, and are willing to contribute to service commitments.
The mission of the Interior Architecture program is to educate future professionals, focusing on innovative, equitable, holistic, and meaningful interior environments that support the human condition and improve the ecological health of the planet through evidence-based design. The program seeks candidates who contribute to this mission through innovative teaching, strong scholarship, interdisciplinary collaboration, and engagement with the evolving profession.
This position is subject to a collective bargaining agreement between The University of Kansas and United Academics, United Academics of KU, AAUP, or AFT. UAKU is the exclusive representative. As the State of Kansas is a right to work state, you have the right to be a member or not be a member of a union without fear of personal or professional repercussions.
The successful candidate must be eligible to work in the United States by the effective date of the appointment.
About the Interior Architecture Program and Architecture Department
Launched in 2018, the Interior Architecture program offers a B.S. in Interior Architecture degree, accredited by both CIDA (Council for Interior Design Accreditation) and NASAD (National Association of Schools of Art & Design). The dynamic body of faculty of the Interior Architecture program reinforces the program goal of human-centric design through their teaching and research, enabling future professionals with a wholesome, well-rounded education. Since its inception, the interior architecture student enrollment has been growing steadily and graduates of B.S. in Interior Architecture have been gainfully employed across the U.S. Upon completion of the B.S. in Interior Architecture degree, graduates also have the opportunity to apply for the M.Arch degree program within the Architecture Department.
The Architecture Department faculty’s core purpose is to prepare new practitioners in the design of the built environment. In addition to the B.S. in Interior Architecture and M.Arch degrees, the department also offers a BA in Architectural Studies program, an MA in Architecture program, and a Ph.D. program. It has urban design studios in Kansas City, as well as summer, semester, and year‐long study abroad programs in approximately fifteen international locations. Following the model set by our Health and Wellness Design Institute and the Design Department’s Center for Design Research, the Architecture Department is in the process of establishing research centers around our recognized areas of expertise: Design-Build, Sports and Entertainment, Interior Architecture, Public Interest Design, Historic Preservation, and Smart Cities. We believe in providing students with diverse experiences and a comprehensive design education that will prepare them for a rapidly changing profession and culture.
Job Description
About the University of Kansas
Founded in 1865, KU is a designated Carnegie comprehensive doctoral research university and one of only 34 public members of the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU). The university enrolls more than 28,000 students and offers students and faculty opportunities to collaborate in its graduate programs which include education, public health, medicine, law, and a number of allied social science disciplines. Situated in the historic, diverse, and culturally vibrant city of Lawrence, Kansas, 40 minutes from the Kansas City metropolitan area, the University of Kansas’ Department of Architecture has a 108-year history of educating Architects who have made significant contributions to the State, region, and world.
KU’s excellence is a result of the rich tapestry of experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds of our faculty, staff, students, and colleagues from across our nation and the globe. At KU, we invest in continuous learning and growth by creating a climate where people engage in respectful dialogue and debate and support each other’s success. We foster a culture of care where each person is seen, heard and valued. When people feel a true sense of belonging, we believe they are better able to reach their full potential and achieve remarkable things.
Allocation of Effort:
Teaching (40% of total time)
Typical teaching expectation of faculty in the Architecture Department is two 6-credit studios and one 3-credit lecture/seminar course per academic year (a total of 15 credits per academic year). The candidate will also meet department expectations in terms of student advising, as needed.
Research (40% of total time)
Conduct scholarly research and/or creative professional work in interior architecture and/or architecture. Disseminate research results through peer-reviewed publications such as books, monographs and/or articles in academic journals; peer-reviewed presentations in conferences; exhibitions, and/or in other appropriate scholarly venues.
Service (20% of total time)
Serve the program, department, university, and profession, primarily through committees, boards, and related forms of professional and institutional service.
- Graduate/post-professional degree in interior design or architecture (MID, MIArc, MIA, or equivalent professional Master’s degree; MFA; M.Arch; Ph.D.* or D. Arch*).Demonstrated record of research, creative work, and/or professional experience in interior design/interior architecture and/or architecture.
1) Letter of intent, including a statement outlining their area of expertise, research and/or creative interests and
scholarly development and show how they will contribute to the Interior Architecture program at the University of
Kansas;
2) Curriculum Vitae;
3) Names and contact information (email included) of three references; and
4) A portfolio of academic/teaching (with student work as applicable), research and/or creative work, professional
experience, and any other relevant work.
Please upload candidate package and indicate in the letter of intent a URL to access the complete digital version of the portfolio.
Review of applications begin on September 28, 2026 and will remain open until position is filled.
Contact Information to ApplicantsProfessor Nisha A. FernandoChair, Interior Architecture Search Committee
Nisha.Fernando@ku.edu
Advertised Salary Rangecommensurate with experienceApplication Review BeginsMonday September 28, 2026Anticipated Start DateWednesday August 18, 2027Apply to Job
Organization
Working at the University of Kansas
Join the University of Kansas, and you’ll become part of a Jayhawk family that spans the globe. Wear your KU shirt in London, Istanbul, Buenos Aires, Nairobi or anywhere else, and you will likely hear a resounding “Rock Chalk!” from a stranger. Of course, the appropriate response is an enthusiastic “Jayhawk!” Because, after all, they’re not really strangers, they’re family.
The Jayhawk community is united by more than 150 years of tradition and by our commitment to pushing the boundaries of knowledge, transforming the academic experience, and creating solutions through innovative research. KU’s mission is to lift students and society by educating leaders, building healthy communities and making discoveries that change the world.
The University of Kansas is the state’s flagship university and one of just 66 invited members of the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU). We consistently earn high rankings for academics and recognition as a premier research university.
KU faculty and staff embrace our role as the state’s flagship university, AAU member and R1 institution that serves the state, nation and world. We celebrate the energy and compassion that infuse the Jayhawk spirit; and, we remain true to KU’s historic values: the elevating force of education, the transformative power of research and the healing power of service.
Instruction
KU offers a broad array of undergraduate and graduate study programs, and we fulfill our mission through academic and research programs of international distinction, coupled with outstanding libraries, teaching museums and information technology. These resources enrich the academic experience for students from all 50 states and 112 countries, and provide enrichment resources for KU faculty and staff.
Research
The university attains high levels of research productivity and recognizes that faculty are part of a network of scholars and academicians that shape a discipline as well as teach it. KU staff are integral to our research success, participating in and supporting discoveries that expand knowledge and improve lives.
Service
The university and our employees serve society through research, teaching and the preservation and dissemination of knowledge. KU's academic programs, arts facilities and public programs provide cultural enrichment opportunities for the larger community. And, KU offers educational, research and service programs throughout the state. KU employees are encouraged to participate in and serve the campus and surrounding communities in a way that is meaningful to them.
International Dimension
KU offers more than 100 programs of international study and cooperative research for KU students and faculty at sites around the world. The university offers teaching and research that draw upon and contribute to the most advanced developments throughout the United States and abroad. At the same time, KU's extensive international ties support economic development in Kansas.
Values
The University of Kansas, our students and employees are committed to excellence. We foster a multicultural, inclusive environment in which the dignity and rights of individuals are respected. Intellectual diversity, integrity and disciplined inquiry in the search for knowledge are of paramount importance.
Our City and State
KU sits atop Mt. Oread in the center of Lawrence, a town full of natural beauty and culture. In fact, Rolling Stone magazine named Lawrence one of the best college towns in the United States. Lawrence is home to more than 100,000 people, and has a charming, Midwestern friendliness that welcomes visitors and celebrates diversity. In addition to KU, Lawrence is home to Haskell Indian Nations University, the premiere tribal university in the United States.
Lawrence’s historic and thriving downtown features restaurants, nightlife and local shops offering unique finds that you won’t find anywhere else. The town has more than 50 parks, an encompassing mixed-use trail, and quick access to biking/hiking trails along the Kansas River and around Clinton Lake. A five-minute drive from Lawrence, Clinton Lake offers fishing, boating, beaches, camping and other outdoor activities.
Located just 40 minutes west of Kansas City, Lawrence offers the appeal of a mid-size, suburban town with quick access to the amenities of a large city, including an international airport. The Kansas City metro area is home to world-class museums and cultural activities, Jazz clubs and other nightlife venues, expansive shopping options, and exciting professional sports with the Kansas City Chiefs, Kansas City Royals and Sporting KC.
Kansas is in the center of the country, making it convenient and cost effective to fly or drive to destinations throughout the United States. Far from flat, the Flint Hills, just 90 minutes from Lawrence, offer panoramic vistas that showcase the breathtaking beauty of America.
Making KU Your Home
Something about Lawrence is magnetic. Long-time residents are never surprised when a KU student or employee from out of state decides to make Lawrence their permanent home. And, even those who do leave often find themselves returning to “the nest” at some point in the future. In fact, Lawrence has been named by several publications as one of the best places to retire.
At the University of Kansas, you’ll join a global Jayhawk family and find a place to call home.
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