Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA)
TENURE-TRACK ASSISTANT PROFESSOR POSITION IN ARCHITECTURE/INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE
Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA), Chicago, Illinois, United States, 60290
TENURE-TRACK ASSISTANT PROFESSOR POSITION IN ARCHITECTURE/INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE
The Department of Architecture at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) invites applications for a full-time, tenure‑track Assistant Professor. The position begins in August of 2026 subject to final budgetary approval. Salary is competitive with peer institutions and commensurate with quality of practice, scholarship, academic research, extent of teaching experience, and current professional standing.
Compensation: $79,690 - $83,998 per year.
Benefits information for this position can be found linked below: https://articbenguide.com/whos-eligible/
The School offers a professional, NAAB‑accredited Master of Architecture (MArch) with tracks in Architecture and Interior Architecture, and a Certificate in Historic Preservation. The AIADO department also offers courses within the interdisciplinary BFA and MFA programs. Design at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago is taught within an interdisciplinary curriculum and through substantive engagement with external partners in the professional and cultural community. Recent and ongoing projects include partnerships with the Chicago Architecture Biennale, Argonne National Laboratory, bLUMEN (a design‑build project for a pavilion on Chicago’s West Side), and the curating and commissioning of the US Pavilion at the 2018 Venice Architecture Biennale. Unique resources at the School include access to the Ryerson and Burnham Archives of the Art Institute of Chicago (one of the largest architecture collections in the country) and myriad fabrication facilities. Further information about the department can be found at https://www.saic.edu/aiado.
The Interior Architecture curriculum focuses on the interior as an emerging area of architectural practice and an expansive territory for making, research, and speculative work. The department takes advantage of its unique placement at the center of American architectural practice in the Chicago Loop and the 150‑year experimental legacy of fine arts education at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.
Responsibilities
Teach and advise undergraduate and graduate students within the interdisciplinary art and design school environment of SAIC.
Guide students in developing an approach to design that integrates material exploration, conceptual development, and prototyping or construction methodologies.
Support students in translating ideas into cohesive bodies of work through both traditional and experimental techniques, fostering innovation and critical thinking throughout the design process.
Demonstrate ability to teach at introductory, intermediate, and advanced levels and draw from a range of professional experiences in teaching.
Contribute and help shape program goals through specialization and participate in SAIC community through ongoing curricular development, departmental administration, school governance, and service.
Qualifications
A Master of Architecture is required.
A minimum of three years of college‑level teaching experience is required.
Primary expertise in interior architecture, sustainable building systems, construction, materials, and codes is sought, with additional expertise in emerging technologies, 2D and 3D digital and physical representation, light, and color.
Candidate should have ability to significantly contribute to intellectual conversations and practices in the field.
Knowledge and aptitude to teach and mentor students is required.
Experience with, or aptitude for, departmental administration as service will be expected.
Application Procedures
Applicants are encouraged to apply by Monday, February 16, 2026 for full consideration.
Submit application materials via https://saicfaculty.slideroom.com/#/Login. Create an account and complete the application, which consists of fill‑in fields and required documents to upload.
Complete fields for educational background; current position; and contact information for three professional references.
Convert all word documents into PDFs before uploading.
Required files to upload include: cover letter stating your interests and qualifications; curriculum vitae; statement of teaching philosophy including details on how your teaching has supported the success of students from a range of backgrounds; statement of research and practice; documentation of a selection of professional work.
All applicants must complete and sign a Prior Workplace Conduct Declaration as part of their initial application materials and sign a release authorizing SAIC to conduct a misconduct reference check should the candidate ultimately be selected as a finalist for the position.
Equal Opportunity Employer
The Art Institute of Chicago, including both the school and the museum, is committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for its students, visitors, faculty, and staff, and to ensuring that educational and employment decisions are based on an individual’s abilities and qualifications. The Art Institute of Chicago does not tolerate unlawful discrimination based on race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, military or former military status, or any other status protected by federal, state or local law. Questions regarding non‑discrimination policies may be emailed to saicteach@saic.edu.
Requests for accommodations: SAIC provides reasonable accommodations during the interview process for candidates with disabilities in adherence with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Should you need an accommodation to participate in an interview, please contact Molly Roth Scranton, Associate Director of Faculty Affairs, at mscranton@saic.edu.
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Compensation: $79,690 - $83,998 per year.
Benefits information for this position can be found linked below: https://articbenguide.com/whos-eligible/
The School offers a professional, NAAB‑accredited Master of Architecture (MArch) with tracks in Architecture and Interior Architecture, and a Certificate in Historic Preservation. The AIADO department also offers courses within the interdisciplinary BFA and MFA programs. Design at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago is taught within an interdisciplinary curriculum and through substantive engagement with external partners in the professional and cultural community. Recent and ongoing projects include partnerships with the Chicago Architecture Biennale, Argonne National Laboratory, bLUMEN (a design‑build project for a pavilion on Chicago’s West Side), and the curating and commissioning of the US Pavilion at the 2018 Venice Architecture Biennale. Unique resources at the School include access to the Ryerson and Burnham Archives of the Art Institute of Chicago (one of the largest architecture collections in the country) and myriad fabrication facilities. Further information about the department can be found at https://www.saic.edu/aiado.
The Interior Architecture curriculum focuses on the interior as an emerging area of architectural practice and an expansive territory for making, research, and speculative work. The department takes advantage of its unique placement at the center of American architectural practice in the Chicago Loop and the 150‑year experimental legacy of fine arts education at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.
Responsibilities
Teach and advise undergraduate and graduate students within the interdisciplinary art and design school environment of SAIC.
Guide students in developing an approach to design that integrates material exploration, conceptual development, and prototyping or construction methodologies.
Support students in translating ideas into cohesive bodies of work through both traditional and experimental techniques, fostering innovation and critical thinking throughout the design process.
Demonstrate ability to teach at introductory, intermediate, and advanced levels and draw from a range of professional experiences in teaching.
Contribute and help shape program goals through specialization and participate in SAIC community through ongoing curricular development, departmental administration, school governance, and service.
Qualifications
A Master of Architecture is required.
A minimum of three years of college‑level teaching experience is required.
Primary expertise in interior architecture, sustainable building systems, construction, materials, and codes is sought, with additional expertise in emerging technologies, 2D and 3D digital and physical representation, light, and color.
Candidate should have ability to significantly contribute to intellectual conversations and practices in the field.
Knowledge and aptitude to teach and mentor students is required.
Experience with, or aptitude for, departmental administration as service will be expected.
Application Procedures
Applicants are encouraged to apply by Monday, February 16, 2026 for full consideration.
Submit application materials via https://saicfaculty.slideroom.com/#/Login. Create an account and complete the application, which consists of fill‑in fields and required documents to upload.
Complete fields for educational background; current position; and contact information for three professional references.
Convert all word documents into PDFs before uploading.
Required files to upload include: cover letter stating your interests and qualifications; curriculum vitae; statement of teaching philosophy including details on how your teaching has supported the success of students from a range of backgrounds; statement of research and practice; documentation of a selection of professional work.
All applicants must complete and sign a Prior Workplace Conduct Declaration as part of their initial application materials and sign a release authorizing SAIC to conduct a misconduct reference check should the candidate ultimately be selected as a finalist for the position.
Equal Opportunity Employer
The Art Institute of Chicago, including both the school and the museum, is committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for its students, visitors, faculty, and staff, and to ensuring that educational and employment decisions are based on an individual’s abilities and qualifications. The Art Institute of Chicago does not tolerate unlawful discrimination based on race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, military or former military status, or any other status protected by federal, state or local law. Questions regarding non‑discrimination policies may be emailed to saicteach@saic.edu.
Requests for accommodations: SAIC provides reasonable accommodations during the interview process for candidates with disabilities in adherence with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Should you need an accommodation to participate in an interview, please contact Molly Roth Scranton, Associate Director of Faculty Affairs, at mscranton@saic.edu.
#J-18808-Ljbffr