Assistant Professor of Design Sciences

Polytechnicpositions; Toronto; On-site; CAD 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent Canadian university located in Toronto is hiring a tenure-track Assistant Professor in Fashion Design Technologies. The successful candidate will be responsible for teaching, engaging in scholarly research, and contributing to curriculum development. Strong qualifications in garment construction, patternmaking, and an innovative approach to research are sought. Applicants should demonstrate teaching effectiveness and a commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. The minimum salary for this position is $103,916.30 per annum. Applications are due by January 15, 2026.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Support for equity-deserving applicants

Access to academic resources

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of professional experience in fashion design technologies.
• Demonstrated specializations in garment construction, patternmaking, or AR/VR in fashion.
• Evidence of teaching effectiveness and ability to contribute to equity and diversity.

Responsibilities

• Teach and develop courses at undergraduate and graduate levels.
• Engage in scholarly research and creative activities.
• Contribute to curriculum and academic leadership.

Skills

Teaching undergraduate and graduate courses

Research in fashion design technologies

Curriculum development

Mentoring students

Commitment to equity and inclusion

Education

PhD or Master's degree in fashion/design

Tools

Design software

Virtual/Augmented Reality tools

Job description

School of Fashion — The Creative School
Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University)
Posted: November 20, 2025
Application Deadline: Thursday, January 15, 2026
Position Start Date: July 1, 2026 (subject to budgetary approval)

About the School and Location

Located in downtown Toronto—Canada’s largest and most culturally diverse city, on the traditional territory of the Anishinaabeg, Haudenosaunee, and Wendat Peoples—the School of Fashion in The Creative School at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position in Fashion Design Technologies.

The School offers innovative undergraduate (BDes) and graduate (MA) programs and is recognized for excellence in teaching, scholarly research, creative activities (SRC), and community engagement. TMU is a vibrant, urban university known for innovative, professionally relevant programs, an inclusive culture, and leadership in equity, diversity, accessibility, and sustainability.

Position Summary

The successful candidate will engage in a combination of:

Teaching at the undergraduate (BDes) and graduate (MA) levels

Scholarly research and/or creative activities (SRC)

Service to the School, Faculty, and University

Implementation of inclusive, equitable, and collegial academic practices

Teaching responsibilities include developing and delivering large lectures, studios, seminars, and advanced design courses, supervising graduate students, and contributing to curriculum development.

The candidate will be expected to build a strong and innovative SRC agenda, pursue external funding, deliver meaningful outputs, and contribute to academic leadership and collegial governance.

Applicants from equity-deserving groups are strongly encouraged to apply.

Area of Specialization: Fashion Design Technologies

The School welcomes applicants whose work bridges traditional and emerging technologies within fashion design, with a focus on:

Garment construction, patternmaking, and material innovation

AR/VR applications in fashion

AI-augmented design and computational creative methods

Sustainable, decolonized, accessible, and inclusive design approaches

Applicants should demonstrate how their research, creative work, or community practice supports equitable and innovative futures within the fashion sector.

Qualifications

Required

A PhD (preferred) or Master’s degree with substantial academic and professional experience in fashion or a closely related field

Minimum 5 years of professional experience working with fashion design technologies

Demonstrated experience teaching studio courses at the post-secondary level

Evidence of a developing or established SRC agenda

Strong commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, accessibility, and decolonization

Ability to teach:

Garment construction and patternmaking

Experience supervising or mentoring students

Assets

Experience in design leadership, sustainable production systems, or community-engaged initiatives

Ability to teach courses in:

Sustainable and circular design

Textile innovation

Design for health and accessibility

Wearable or smart textile systems

Evidence of collaborative, interdisciplinary, or industry-engaged work

Evidence Required

Applicants should provide evidence of:

Current SRC work or professional contributions aligned with inclusion, decolonization, sustainability, and accessibility

Teaching effectiveness (via a teaching dossier including philosophy, syllabi, evaluations, and related documentation)

Commitment to EDI and accessible pedagogy

Ability to contribute to School and University service

The committee acknowledges non-traditional career paths and career interruptions; candidates are invited to contextualize their trajectory in their application.

Working at TMU

TMU serves over 45,000 students across more than 100 undergraduate and graduate programs. The University is known for its:

Strong teaching excellence

Integrated theoretical and applied learning

Culture of innovation and entrepreneurship

Commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility

Recognition as #1 on Forbes’ list of Canada’s Best Employers for Diversity

The Creative School houses 10 professional schools and offers extensive graduate programs across media, design, and cultural industries.

Salary and Union Information

This position is part of the Toronto Metropolitan Faculty Association (TFA).

Minimum salary for Assistant Professor: $103,916.30 per annum

Final salary commensurate with qualifications and experience

See TFA Collective Agreement and benefits via www.tfanet.ca and TMU Faculty Affairs

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted via the TMU Faculty Recruitment Portal by January 15, 2026.
A complete application includes:

Letter of application, including a statement on the candidate’s approach to EDI and accessibility

Statement of research interests

Teaching philosophy

Teaching evaluations

Evidence of curriculum development (if applicable)

Names and contact information of three referees

Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority, per immigration regulations.

Equity and Inclusion

TMU is committed to fostering a diverse academic community and strongly encourages applications from:

Indigenous peoples of North America

Black and other racialized persons

Persons with disabilities

Women

2SLGBTQ+ / LGBTQ2IA persons

The University believes that diverse worldviews and lived experiences strengthen scholarship, innovation, and teaching.

Contact Information

For confidential inquiries about the position:
Departmental Hiring Committee Chair: Joseph Medaglia (email not provided in text)

For support for equity-deserving applicants:

For accommodations in the application process or help accessing the Recruitment Portal:

Contact the appropriate TMU support office (details provided in Recruitment Portal)

In your application, please refer to Polytechnicpositions.com