INTERIOR DESIGN - TENURE ACQUIRING ...

About the role

The Department of Design seeks an energetic faculty member to join the dynamic Department of Design. The successful applicant will contribute to the university’s mission through teaching, research, and service through accomplishment as a faculty member teaching undergraduate courses in the Interior Design Program (Bachelor of Interior Design) and graduate courses in Environmental Design (Master of Science) and Interior and Environmental Design (Doctor of Philosophy) Programs.

About the University

Established in 1923, Texas Tech University is a Carnegie R1 (very high research activity) Doctoral/Research-Extensive, Hispanic Serving, and state-assisted institution. Located on a beautiful 1,850-acre campus in Lubbock, a city in West Texas with a growing metropolitan-area population of over 300,000, the university enrolls over 40,000 students with 33,000 undergraduate and 7,000 graduate students. As the primary research institution in the western two-thirds of the state, Texas Tech University is home to 10 colleges, the Schools of Law and Veterinary Medicine, and the Graduate School. The flagship of the Texas Tech University System, Texas Tech is dedicated to student success by preparing learners to be ethical leaders for a diverse and globally competitive workforce. It is committed to enhancing the cultural and economic development of the state, nation, and world.

About the College

The College of Health & Human Sciences (CHHS) has a rich history of investing in students, preparing them to impact the world around them. The College of Health & Human Sciences provides multidisciplinary education, research, and service focused on individuals, families, and their environments to improve and enhance the human condition. The college offers a wide range of outstanding and nationally recognized undergraduate and graduate programs and encompasses seven academic units that include Community, Family & Addiction Sciences; the Department of Design; Hospitality and Retail Management; Human Development and Family Sciences; Interdisciplinary Human Sciences; Nutritional Sciences; and the School of Personal Financial Planning. In further supporting its vision of providing premier research, outreach, and educational programs that enhance human well-being worldwide, the CHHS is also home to six centers and five institutes. When they graduate, our students are making an impact as educators, healthcare professionals, financial planners, hospitality managers, fashion merchandisers, designers, counselors, and nutrition experts. We are a destination for health and human sciences.

About the Department/School/Area

The Department of Design serves approximately 300 undergraduate and 30 graduate students. Research and teaching emphasize design for health and wellness, both indoor and outdoor learning environments, sustainable design practices, and design innovation. The undergraduate Interior Design program, one of the first CIDA-accredited programs in the United States, provides students with a foundation of education and success for creative and employable interior design fields. Many of these undergraduates earn a minor in Architecture. Over the recent years, our undergraduate alumni have consistently placed in Interior Design Magazine’s annual top interior designers’ “30 under 30” list. Additionally, our award-winning graduate students are engaged in both research translation (Master of Science) and original research (Doctor of Philosophy) applied to the interior and near environments with a research focus on current problems in health and human-centered sciences. While they are graduate students, most have published their findings in peer-reviewed academic journals. This is an exciting time for the Department of Design as we now are an integral member of the Texas Tech University Design Village, an innovative new facility that will enhance student collaboration and learning experiences by fostering collaboration among key colleges: Architecture, Agriculture (Landscape Architecture Program), Business (Real Estate Program), Engineering (Construction Engineering Program), Health and Human Sciences (Department of Design), Visual and Performing Arts (School of Art).

Position Description

The Department of Design in the College of Health and Human Sciences at Texas Tech University invites applications for a full-time, 9-month, tenure-track Assistant Professor or Associate Professor (start date September 1, 2027).

Major/Essential Functions

In line with TTU’s strategic priorities to engage and empower a diverse student body, enable innovative research and creative activities, and transform lives and communities through outreach and engaged scholarship, applicants should have experience working with diverse student populations at the undergraduate and/or graduate levels within individual or across the areas of teaching, research/creative activity, and service. This position offers an exceptional opportunity to join a growing and forward-looking faculty committed to innovation, collaboration, and excellence in interior design research and education. It provides an ideal pathway for accomplished design educators and scholars to bring state-of-science knowledge into the classroom through cutting-edge research, engaging instruction, innovative curriculum development, and dedicated student mentorship. Faculty are encouraged to create dynamic learning experiences that bridge theory, research and practice, preparing students to become thoughtful, creative, and globally engaged design educators, researchers and professionals.

Required Qualifications

• Earned a terminal degree (Ph.D., MFA), by appointment time, in Interior Design or a related field.
• At least one degree should be in interior design or architecture.

Preferred Qualifications

• Teaching experience in interior design or related field as an instructor in higher education.
• A strong record of scholarship and the continued capacity to conduct scholarship supported by extramural funding bringing externally sponsored research to Texas Tech University.
• Professional practice experience in interior design or architecture professional practice, by date of hire, either having passed the NCIDQ exam or meeting eligibility requirements to take the exam.
• Experience and competency in relevant industry-standard software (e.g., AutoCAD, Revit, Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, SketchUp).
• WELL AP, NKBA, AAHID, or other relevant certification(s).
• Specific experience with outreach or service.