Open Rank Position in Heritage Conservation

USC MLA+U; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 98,000 - 156,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Southern California School of Architecture invites applications and nominations for a full-time tenure-track or tenured position in Heritage Conservation, open rank, to begin August 16, 2027.

The successful candidate will join USC's interdisciplinary environment, advancing scholarship, practice, and teaching in heritage conservation across campus and the Los Angeles region. The core salary range is $97,850 to $155,530 per year on a 9-month basis, with comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• Terminal degree (Masters or Ph.D.) in Heritage Conservation/Historic Preservation, Architectural History, Public History, Urban Planning, or related field.
• Must have completed the terminal degree by the appointment start date.
• Preferred: distinguished record of scholarship and/or practice, teaching and mentoring at university level, and professional training in Heritage Conservation.

Skills

Teaching

Mentoring

Scholarly writing

Education

Terminal degree (Masters or Ph.D.) in Heritage Conservation/Historic Preservation, Architectural History, Public History, Urban Planning, or related field

Job description

The University of Southern California School of Architecture invites applications and nominations for a full-time tenure-track or tenured position (open rank) in Heritage Conservation. We are looking for a thought leader whose practice and scholarship are poised to shape the future of Heritage Conservation at a time of both challenge and opportunity. The successful candidate will be appointed at the rank of Assistant, Associate, or Full Professor, depending on experience and qualifications. The appointment is expected to begin on August 16, 2027. The University of Southern California is one of the world’s leading private research universities. With twenty-three schools and academic divisions, USC offers extensive opportunities for interdisciplinary study and engagement. Seven academic units are dedicated to art-related disciplines, bringing leading creative practitioners together in advanced collaborative learning environments. Since its founding in 1919, the USC School of Architecture has been a center of educational innovation. With over 600 students and 100 faculty members, the USC School of Architecture is one of the largest and most diverse in the country. In addition to the Master of Heritage Conservation degree, the School offers two additional Master's degrees (a Master of Building Science and a Master of Building Technology); three accredited professional degrees (the Bachelor of Architecture, the Master of Architecture, and the Master of Landscape and Urbanism); two Bachelor of Science degrees (a Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies and a Bachelor of Science in Architecture and Innovative Technologies); and a post-professional Master of Advanced Architectural Research Studies degree. In addition, the School collaborates on dual degree programs with USC's Viterbi School of Engineering, Price School of Public Policy, and Dornsife College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences. Established in 2002, the USC Master of Heritage Conservation program is one of only two on the West Coast, and the only one of its kind in California. The program encourages faculty members and students to engage directly with the rich and diverse history of Los Angeles as well as the Southern California region and the Pacific Rim. It is committed to the expansion of traditional conservation practices to address the most pressing challenges of the 21st century. These include developing new approaches to cultural heritage and community stewardship, addressing climate resilience, advocating for cultural and social equity, recognizing intangible cultural heritage, and telling the stories of people and places using emerging technologies and creative rehabilitation.

Qualifications

Required qualifications include a terminal degree (Masters or Ph.D.) in Heritage Conservation/Historic Preservation, Architectural History, Public History, Urban Planning, or a related field. Candidates must have completed the terminal degree by the appointment start date. Preferred qualifications include a distinguished record of scholarship and/or practice, successful teaching and mentoring at the university level, and professional training and experience in Heritage Conservation practice.

Salary Range and Benefits

The core salary range for this position is $97,850 - $155,530 per year. This is a 9-month, full-time position. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position; the candidate's work experience, education, training, and key skills; internal peer equity; federal, state, and local laws; contractual stipulations; grant funding; and external market and organizational considerations. The University of Southern California offers a wide range of benefits and resources for eligible employees including health and retirement benefits, wellness and support resources, and paid and unpaid time off.

• Letter of application;
• Current CV;
• 1-2 course syllabi;
• A sample of scholarly writing (published or unpublished); if the writing sample forms part of a larger book manuscript or dissertation, please include a table of contents and a statement explaining how the writing sample relates to the project as a whole;
• Optional portfolio of representative materials related to practice (not to exceed 15 pages); and
• Names and contact information for 3 referees.

Review of applications will begin on September 15, 2026. The position will remain open until filled. Questions regarding this position may be addressed to Kay Chang ([e-mail] (opens in new window)).

USC is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or USC policy.

We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact USC Human Resources by phone at [phone], or by email at [e-mail]. Inquiries will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by law.

USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring (opens in new window) ordinance. Please note that employment will require both a criminal background check and an institutional reference check regarding misconduct.