Description
Samford University’s School of the Arts, Department of Architecture & Interior Design invites individuals interested in serving in a Christian university environment and a multi-disciplinary department to apply for the Assistant Professor position, beginning Fall 2026. This full-time tenure track faculty position is a 9-month appointment.
Position Responsibilities
Responsibilities include:
- teaching undergraduate and graduate level studio and lecture courses;
- working with the department chair and faculty team to earn and maintain NAAB accreditation status and maintain CIDA accreditation status;
- productively engaging in research and/or creative scholarship with output in publications and/or exhibitions of work;
- collaboration with department faculty and students in cross-listed courses, studios, and projects;
- participating in curriculum development, accreditation, and marketing of programs;
- providing service to the department, school, and university;
- and active involvement with industry and/or relevant professional associations/organizations.
Qualifications
Qualified candidates will be graduates of an accredited institution with at least one degree in architecture and/or interior design. Candidates for Assistant Professor must also possess a master’s degree with specialization in architecture, interior design, or a related field.
Other desired qualifications include:
- active architecture and/or interior design registration;
- professional practice experience;
- experience with and competency in relevant industry-standard software (e.g., Revit, AutoCAD, Rhino,
Adobe products, etc.); - a record of excellence in teaching and curriculum development;
- a record of scholarly/creative accomplishments appropriate to the discipline;
- LEED AP, WELL AP, or other relevant certification(s);
Candidates with 5+ years of professional experience in the field of architecture and/or interior design but without a master’s degree may be considered for a non-tenure-track Instructor of Studio Practice appointment.
Salary is dependent upon academic qualifications, professional experience, and previous academic teaching experience.
About Samford University
Located in the Homewood suburb of Birmingham, Alabama, Samford (samford.edu) is a leading Christian university offering undergraduate programs grounded in the liberal arts with an array of nationally recognized graduate and professional schools. Founded in 1841, Samford enrolls 6,324 students from 44 states, Puerto Rico and 16 countries in its 10 academic schools with 450 full-time faculty. Samford is ranked #3 in the nation for career preparation and #7 in the nation for student learning opportunities as listed in The Wall Street Journal (2026). The University is dedicated to the promotion of rigorous academic inquiry in a Christian setting. The University seeks and prefers employee applicants of the Christian faith and offers competitive salaries with a generous benefits package.
About the School of the Arts
The School of the Arts is a community of creative professionals working together in music, theatre and dance, visual arts, graphic design, gaming and animation, architecture, and interior design. The Department of Architecture & Interior Design seeks to promote an atmosphere of interdisciplinary collaboration. First year students complete a core curriculum in the arts. Students in years 2-4 study in an interdisciplinary environment that embodies the spirit of integrated design practice. The department is currently comprised of seven full-time faculty members and offers a BFA in Interior Design and an accelerated 5-year Master of Architecture degree. The BFA in Interior Design degree program is accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation and NASAD. The Master of Architecture, whose initial cohort was accepted Fall 2021, is in candidacy for NAAB accreditation. For more information, see the department web page:
https://www.samford.edu/arts/visual-arts/architecture-and-interior-design
Application Instructions
Review of applications will begin January 30, 2026 and will continue until the position is filled. Candidates must successfully pass a background check, and applicants must be authorized to work in the United States, as Samford will not sponsor any employment visas for this position.
To apply, submit one PDF file comprised of:
- a letter of interest;
- a curriculum vitae;
- a statement of teaching philosophy;
- a description of research interest;
- an application for faculty position (see below);
- the faculty applicant Christian mission statement (see below);
- and a list of three professional references with contact information.
In addition, the candidate should submit a link to an electronic portfolio or attach a PDF containing a maximum of 20 images of professional and/or student work.
“Application for Faculty Position” can be found at:
https://www.samford.edu/departments/files/Human_Resources/application-for-faculty-employment.pdf
“Faculty Applicant Christian Mission Statement” can be found at:
Please submit all materials via e-mail in PDF format to:
FACAPP@Samford.edu
Subject: Interior Design Faculty
For questions about the position contact:
Charles Ford, Committee Chair
cford@samford.edu
In accordance with applicable federal and state laws, such as Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act and ADA Amendments, the University does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of sex, gender, race, color, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, religion, or any other protected status under federal, state or local law applicable to the University, in its education policies, programs, and activities, in its admissions policies, in employment policies and practices, and all other areas of the University. As a faith-based institution, the University is exempted from certain laws and regulations concerning discrimination.
