Fashion Studies, Tenure-Track Faculty

Middle Tennessee State University; Murfreesboro (TN); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sick Leave

Vacation Leave

13 paid university holidays

Health, dental, vision, and life ins.

Retirement plans

Educational benefits for employee and/

Job summary

Middle Tennessee State University invites applicants for a full-time tenure-track faculty position in Fashion Studies. The role combines undergraduate teaching in apparel design with a strong research agenda and service to the university.

The candidate will teach both lecture and studio courses, operate apparel production laboratories, and bring industry expertise in garment construction, flat patterning, and product development. Start date August 1, 2027.

Qualifications

• One year of college-level teaching in fashion studies or apparel design.
• One year of full-time professional experience in fashion/apparel industry.
• Terminal degree in apparel, fashion studies, or closely related field by Aug 1, 2028.

Responsibilities

• Teach and research in apparel areas such as engineering, product line development, industry practices, or inclusive design.
• Pursue scholarly research and grantsmanship.
• Operate, service, and maintain apparel labs and equipment.
• Contribute to curriculum development, marketing, and student advising.
• Provide service to program, college, and university.
• Maintain involvement in professional associations and industry groups.

Skills

Apparel design

Garment construction

Sewing techniques

Production methods

Design thinking

Co-creation

Education

Terminal degree in apparel or fashion studies

ABD considered

Tools

Industrial sewing machines

Technical patterning software

3D visualization software

Job description

Job Title

Fashion Studies, Tenure-Track Faculty

Department

Fashion Studies Program

University Expectation

MTSU seeks candidates committed to innovative teaching, robust research/creative activity, and meaningful service. We also seek to attract culturally and academically diverse faculty who value working with diverse students.

Salary

The salary is commensurate with education and experience.

Job Summary/Basic Function

The Fashion Studies Program at Middle Tennessee State University invites applicants for a full-time, tenure-track faculty position (#120350) at the rank of assistant or associate professor. The start date for the position is August 1, 2027.

This tenure-track position combines undergraduate teaching in the Apparel Design concentration with a robust research agenda. The successful candidate will teach lecture and studio courses, engage in service to the university and the community, and take responsibility for the operation, maintenance, and continued readiness of the program’s apparel design and production laboratories. Coursework connects foundational apparel design and construction skills with contemporary approaches including design thinking, co-creation, inclusive and adapted apparel design, emerging technologies, and collaborative design practices. The faculty member is expected to bring professional experience in the apparel industry to this learning environment, contributing expertise in garment construction, flat pattern-making, production design, garment fitting, product development, and apparel manufacturing.

Key Responsibilities

• Teach and research in two or more of the following areas: apparel engineering, apparel product line development, apparel industry practices (including sewn product manufacturing), and adapted, inclusive, or human-centered apparel design.
• Actively pursue a program of scholarly research and grantsmanship.
• Support the program’s culture of hands-on learning by operating, servicing, and maintaining industrial sewing machines and related apparel production equipment.
• Participate in curriculum development, marketing for undergraduate programs, and student advising.
• Provide service to the program, college, and university.
• Maintain active involvement in relevant professional associations and industry entities.

Required Education

A terminal degree in apparel, fashion studies, or a closely related field is required by the appointment date. ABD will be considered if it is close to completion. For contract renewal, a terminal degree must be earned by August 1, 2028.

In lieu of a terminal degree in fashion studies or apparel design, a terminal degree in another field, with a master's degree in fashion studies, apparel design, or a closely related field, will be considered.

Required Related Experience

One (1) year of college-level full-time teaching experience in fashion studies or apparel design and one (1) year of full-time professional experience in the fashion or apparel industry are required by the appointment date.

Other Desirables

Applicants with the following will receive special consideration:

• Demonstrated expertise in garment construction, sewing techniques, and apparel production methods.
• Teaching or research experience in apparel science and technology.
• Experience with grantsmanship and securing external funding.
• Experience with emerging technology applications in textile product development and familiarity with sustainable/smart materials.
• Experience managing products from design development through sampling, fitting, and final production.
• Experience teaching adapted, inclusive, or human-centered apparel design.
• Advanced skills in draping and industrial cutting/pressing equipment.
• Experience with flat pattern and draping techniques for an apparel company or brand.
• Experience operating, troubleshooting, and maintaining industrial sewing machines and production equipment.
• Knowledge and use of industry-standard technical patterning and 3D visualization software.

Documents Needed to Apply

To successfully apply, applicants must include a cover letter, curriculum vitae, statement of teaching philosophy, and statement of research or creative activities (as separate attachments) when submitting the application.

Special Instruction to Applicants

When applying, applicants must provide complete contact information, including email addresses, for three professional references. References will be contacted to provide a reference letter if the applicant is selected for an interview. In addition, if the applicant is selected for the position, official transcripts of all degrees conferred, including translations and evaluations of international transcripts from an approved credentialing agency, will be required before a contract is issued. All submitted materials become the property of MTSU and will not be returned. Submission of materials is the applicant’s responsibility. Applications without all required materials are incomplete and will not be considered.

If you need help with the application, please contact Mitzi Dunkley, Faculty Recruitment Specialist, at [phone]. If you have position-specific questions, please contact Lauren Rudd at [e-mail].

MTSU offers a comprehensive benefits package, including but not limited to the following:

• Sick Leave
• Vacation Leave for Administrative/Classified Staff/12-month Faculty
• 13 paid University holidays
• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance
• Retirement plans
• Optional 401K and 403B Deferred Compensation Plans
• Educational benefits for the employee and their spouse and dependents

MTSU is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply.

Proof of U.S. citizenship or eligibility for U.S. employment is required before employment (Immigration Control Act of 1986). Clery Act crime statistics for MTSU are available at https://police.mtsu.edu/annual-security-report/ or by contacting MTSU Public Safety at [phone].

MTSU is a Tobacco & Drug-Free campus.

This position requires a criminal background check. Therefore, you will be required to provide information about your criminal history to be considered.

For individuals requiring reasonable accommodation to apply:In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation to apply for a position with MTSU, please call 615-898-2929 or email [e-mail].

Application Review Date:11/27/2026