Assistant Professor or Professor of Practice in Interior Design

Kansas State University; Manhattan (KS); On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Kansas State University's Interior Design program seeks candidates for a 9-month faculty role, open to tenure-track Assistant Professor or Professor of Practice based on qualifications and experience. Salary is competitive and commensurate with credentials.

The department emphasizes collaborative teaching, human-centered design, and evidence-based practice, incorporating current professional standards and technologies into curriculum.

Qualifications

• Evidence-based design, history/theory, materials and construction, textiles, and digital visualization.
• Experience teaching interior design studios and integrating contemporary professional practice.
• Proficiency with software used in practice: Revit, Enscape, and Adobe Creative Cloud.

Responsibilities

• Teach design studios and other courses across the Interior Design curriculum.
• Contribute to curriculum development and shared course leadership.
• Engage in scholarly activity or professional practice aligned with tenure pathway.
• Support departmental governance and service initiatives.

Skills

Team-based teaching

Collaboration

Interior design education

Education

Terminal degree in interior design or related field

Tools

Revit

Enscape

Adobe Creative Cloud

Job description

The Interior Design program at Kansas State University invites applications for a 9-month faculty position beginning August 2027. The successful candidate may be appointed as either a tenure-track Assistant Professor or Professor of Practice, depending on qualifications and professional experience. Salary will be competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Our program is distinguished by the scholarly and professional expertise of its faculty and a shared commitment to preparing entry-level interior design professionals. Our curriculum emphasizes collaboration, human-centered and evidence-based design, technical competency, and design approaches that promote health, well-being, and responsible professional practice.

We seek a collaborative, future-oriented colleague who brings creative energy, professional expertise, and a commitment to interior design education. Candidates should demonstrate the ability to contribute to a team-based teaching environment and to integrate contemporary professional practice into the curriculum.

SHARED TEACHING RESPONSIBILITIES

The successful candidate will teach design studios and other courses across the Interior Design curriculum. Candidates should be prepared to integrate contemporary methods and technologies into studio instruction and demonstrate proficiency with software commonly used in professional practice, including Revit, Enscape, and Adobe Creative Cloud.

Candidates should demonstrate the ability to teach in design studios and in two or more of the following curricular areas: evidence-based design; history and theory of interior design; materials and construction; textiles; construction documents; building systems and technology; and digital visualization.

Studio courses are commonly co-taught. Candidates should therefore demonstrate collaborative professional and/or teaching experience and an ability to contribute effectively to shared course leadership, curriculum coordination, and student learning.

APPOINTMENT PATHWAYS

TENURE-TRACK ASSISTANT PROFESSOR

The tenure-track appointment supports the university's integrated mission of teaching, research/creative scholarship, and service.

Teaching — 65-70%
Teach undergraduate interior design studios and other courses aligned with the candidate's expertise and program needs. Contribute to collaborative teaching, curriculum development, and continuous improvement of the Interior Design program.

Research and Creative Scholarship — 25-30%
Develop and sustain a focused program of research and/or creative scholarship informed by the candidate's academic preparation, professional expertise, teaching interests, or emerging areas of inquiry. The successful candidate's scholarly and creative work will contribute to advancement within the discipline and form an important basis for tenure and promotion.

Service — 5-10%
Contribute to departmental governance; college and university committees and initiatives; student, professional, and community engagement; and relevant disciplinary or professional organizations.

PROFESSOR OF PRACTICE

The Professor of Practice appointment emphasizes teaching excellence, professional expertise, and engagement with the Interior Design program and profession.

Teaching — 80-90%
Teach undergraduate interior design studios and other courses aligned with the candidate's professional expertise and program needs. Bring substantial professional practice experience into the classroom and contribute to collaborative teaching, curriculum development, and the integration of current professional standards, technologies, and methods.

Service — 10-20%
Contribute to departmental governance, program and college initiatives, student engagement, and professional communities. The successful candidate will help strengthen connections among the program, alumni, practitioners, and the broader interior design profession.