Assistant Professor - Interior Design

University of Nebraska-Lincoln; Nebraska; On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Nebraska-Lincoln invites applications for a full-time, nine-month, tenure-track Assistant Professor in Interior Design beginning Fall 2027. The successful candidate will integrate historical/theoretical inquiry with design teaching and practice, contributing to peer-reviewed scholarship and interdisciplinary collaboration across Architecture, Landscape Architecture, and allied disciplines.

Responsibilities include studio instruction and history/theory teaching for undergraduate

Qualifications

• Reliable evidence of active or emerging research and/or creative scholarship.
• Experience with design history, theory, criticism, or related areas.

Responsibilities

• Teach studio and history/theory courses for Interior Design, Architecture, and Landscape Architecture undergraduates.
• Develop and deliver advanced seminars or professional electives aligned with scholarly interests.
• Establish a productive research/creative agenda suitable for tenure-track at an R1 institution.

Skills

Design history

Scholarly research trajectory

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Education

Professional degree in Interior Design, Interior Architecture or Architecture

Terminal professional degree in Interior Design, Interior Architecture or Architecture

Ph.D. in Interior Design, Architecture, Architectural History, Design Studies or related field

Job description

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Employment Website

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

Associate Professor Nate Bicak, search committee chair

The University of Nebraska does not discriminate based on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and/or political affiliation in its programs, activities, or employment. See: Notice of Nondiscrimination

Working Title

Department

Department College of Architecture-0896

Requisition Number

Requisition Number F_260147

Posting Open Date

Posting Open Date 11/10/2026

Application Review Date: (To ensure consideration, please submit all application materials before review date)

Application Review Date: (To ensure consideration, please submit all application materials before review date) 01/25/2027

Posting Close Date

Open Until Filled Yes

Description of Work

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Architecture invites applications for a full-time, nine-month, tenure-track position in Interior Design at the rank of Assistant Professor beginning Fall 2027.

We seek a highly motivated scholar, educator, and designer whose work engages the histories, theories, and contemporary discourse of interior design and the built environment. The successful candidate will demonstrate a commitment to integrating historical and theoretical inquiry with design teaching and practice while developing a productive research and creative scholarship agenda that contributes to peer-reviewed scholarly outcomes.

The position offers opportunities to connect historical and theoretical inquiry with contemporary questions surrounding interiors, architecture, objects, material culture, adaptive reuse, sustainability, civic and public spaces, housing, cultural narratives, or emerging spatial practices.

The Interior Design faculty at UNL supports an intellectually ambitious undergraduate curriculum and contributes to the College of Architecture’s broader mission to be “united by the transformative power of design.” The primary academic home for this position will be the CIDA -accredited Interior Design Program, with opportunities for interdisciplinary teaching, research, and collaboration across the College’s programs in Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Community and Regional Planning, and allied disciplines across campus.

Teaching Responsibilities

The position carries a teaching assignment that combines studio instruction with required history/theory courses serving Interior Design, Architecture, and Landscape Architecture undergraduate students. Additional teaching opportunities may include professional electives and advanced seminars at the undergraduate and graduate levels, aligned with candidate’s expertise and program needs.

Anticipated course assignments include:

• IDES 445: History of Interiors and Designed Objects, supporting required history/theory education for Interior Design major and minor seeking students.
• ARCH 241: Modern Architecture History or DSGN 140: Design History, supporting required history/theory education across the College’s undergraduate degree programs and associated minors ( ARCH , IDES , LARC ).
• Interior Design Studio within the second-, third-, or fourth-year curriculum.
• Opportunities to develop and offer advanced seminars or professional electives aligned with the candidate’s scholarly interests.

The successful candidate will be expected to connect historical and theoretical inquiry with contemporary design education and studio pedagogy, fostering critical thinking and interdisciplinary exchange.

Research and Creative Activity Expectations

The successful candidate will establish and sustain a progressive and productive research and/or creative scholarship agenda in design history, theory, criticism, or related areas of inquiry within the built environment.

Candidates should demonstrate an emerging or established trajectory of scholarly activity with the potential for peer-reviewed publications, books and book chapters, funded research, exhibitions, scholarly awards, or other recognized forms of disciplinary contribution. The College values research and creative scholarship that advances knowledge, informs design education and practice, and contributes to national and international disciplinary discourse.

The successful candidate will be expected to pursue scholarly outcomes consistent with the expectation of a tenure-track faculty appointment at a R1 institution.

Minimum Required Qualifications

• A professional degree in Interior Design, Interior Architecture, or Architecture and a graduate degree in a related discipline; OR
• A terminal professional degree in Interior Design, Interior Architecture, or Architecture (M.Arch, M.ID, MSID , D.Arch, or equivalent); OR
• A Ph.D. in Interior Design, Architecture, Architectural History, Design Studies, Cultural Studies, or a field related to design and the built environment, with undergraduate or graduate studio-based education in Interior Design, Interior Architecture, or Architecture.

Candidates must also demonstrate:

• Expertise in design history, theory, criticism, or related areas of scholarly inquiry.
• Evidence of an active or emerging research and/or creative scholarship trajectory with potential for peer-reviewed scholarly dissemination.

Preferred Qualifications

• Cross-disciplinary academic preparation, including at least one degree in Interior Design or Interior Architecture from a CIDA -accredited professional program.
• Experience teaching interior design or architectural design studios, demonstrated through examples of student work.
• Experience teaching design history/theory coursework in higher education.
• Experience integrating research interests with creative work or design studio teaching.
• NCIDQ certification or eligibility.
• Experience fostering interdisciplinary collaboration in design education, research, or professional practice.

Work Location (City, State)

Work Location (City, State) Lincoln, NE

Pre-Placement Driving Record Review Required

Criminal History Background Check Required

Criminal History Background Check Required No

For questions or accommodations related to this position contact

Nate Bicak, Search Committee Chair, Associate Professor, College of Architecture

Position funded by grant or other form of temporary funding?

Position funded by grant or other form of temporary funding? No

If Temporary, indicate end date

Planned Hire Date

Planned Hire Date ASAP

Appointment End Date

Organizational Location

Organizational Location Default Location

Supplemental Questions

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