Assistant Professor Interior Design Program

Job ID 9931BR College and Department College of Art and Design, School of Design at Rochester Institute of Technology. Anticipated Start Date 12-Aug-2026 Job Description The School of Design in the College of Art and Design invites applicants to apply for a tenure‑track Assistant Professor position to teach in the Interior Design program. RIT Interior Design is a student‑centered academic environment where burgeoning designers cultivate their unique points of view under professional faculty tutelage. Our mission is to mentor students so that they enter the field prepared to contribute with a deep‑rooted understanding of the needs of society, culture, and the environment. The program is highly sought‑after and known for engaging students in real‑world projects locally and internationally, reshaping how we live in the world. RIT’s CIDA‑accredited interior design program challenges students to be creative thinkers capable of responding thoughtfully to the challenges facing humanity, the environment, and emerging global conditions. The B.F.A. degree is a multi‑faceted program of study offering a comprehensive exploration of the commercial architectural interior. The curriculum synthesizes theoretical constructs with technical requirements and design processes to create inspiring, purposeful interior environments for a range of users and project typologies. Students build upon knowledge and experience from formal instruction, internships, and program mentorship to cultivate professional skills. Retention and employment rates for B.F.A. graduates reflect the overall quality of our program. We invite applications from accomplished interior design or interior architecture faculty and ancillary design professionals with higher‑education teaching experience and significant professional expertise. The program seeks a dynamic, creative team member who is actively engaged in the industry and committed to advocating for the program and its students within the professional community. Successful candidates will demonstrate the capacity to teach comprehensively across the Interior Design curriculum and exhibit leadership and strategic vision in advancing the program. Ideal applicants possess a robust professional and student portfolio illustrating diverse skills and a range of expertise for the discipline. Areas of consideration include, but are not limited to, history and theory; design process and methods; space planning for a variety of commercial design typologies (healthcare, multipurpose, event and exhibition, office, retail, hospitality); accessibility and human factors; sustainable design thinking; universal design; building systems and materiality; color and light; FF&E specifications, code compliance, and construction documentation. The body of work must demonstrate knowledge and use of current and emerging software relevant to the field, such as BIM, generative design, animation, and AI, integrated into curricula. In addition to teaching responsibilities, the candidate will engage in research and creative scholarship, contribute to curriculum development, advise students, and provide service to the university, college, department, and profession. Applicants should demonstrate a commitment to a community that values student‑centeredness; professional development and scholarship; integrity and ethics; innovation and flexibility; and teamwork and collaboration. Department/College Description Internationally renowned, the School of Design offers five undergraduate programs in 3D Digital Design, Graphic Design, Industrial Design, Interior Design, and New Media Design, plus two graduate programs in Industrial Design and Visual Communication Design. SOD also includes the Vignelli Center for Design Studies with its vast archive of relevant design artifacts and their processes. It is a creative community where students discover unique talents and expressive potential while developing essential skills. The School of Design hosts roughly half of the College’s enrollment. SOD alumni and faculty are nationally and internationally recognized, including National Design Award recipients and leaders at global companies. Graduate and undergraduate students benefit from collaborative opportunities across engineering, science, liberal arts, sustainability, and entrepreneurship, as well as RIT’s global campuses. Required Minimum Qualifications • Terminal degree in Interior Design (MFA), Interior Architecture (MS, MIA), Environmental Design (MS), Master of Architecture (M.Arch), or related advanced degree with relevant professional experience. • NCIDQ Certificate holder or passing the Architect Registration Examination. • Relevant professional certifications (e.g., WELL, EDAC, LEED) considered strengths but not required. • Minimum three years of full‑time professional experience in interior design, architecture, facilities and construction management, or a related field. • Minimum two years equivalent teaching experience in interior design or a related field at the associate and/or baccalaureate level beyond a teaching assistantship. • Professional experience designing spaces with interior architectural systems, applicable codes, furniture, finishes, and fixtures. • Architectural drawing, visualization, and computer proficiency with demonstrated experience integrating BIM, generative design, animation, and AI into curricula. • Demonstrated knowledge in three or more of the following areas: design history, critical theory, design production and methodology, systems thinking, building code and regulations, contract documentation, FF&E packaging & specification writing, business practices, visual representation, commercial interior design, healthcare facilities, hospitality venues, retail establishments, exhibition and theater, and office design. • Established or burgeoning research scholarship agenda. • Model professionalism and demonstrate effective communication skills. How to Apply Apply at http://careers.rit.edu/faculty; search openings, then use Keyword Search by entering 9931BR. Please submit a curriculum vitae, cover letter addressing the listed qualifications, and the following attachments: • A brief teaching philosophy. • Reference list – provide names, addresses, and phone numbers for three references. • Course syllabi with at least three assignments. • Professional work portfolio (15–20 page PDF or website link, max 3 MB). • Student work portfolio (15–20 page PDF or website link, max 3 MB). Contact Mary Golden, Undergraduate Program Director of Interior Design School of Design, College of Art and Design megfaa@rit.edu All application materials should be received by January 5, 2026. The position will remain open until an acceptable candidate is found. The direct link to this posting: https://sjobs.brassring.com/ Equal Opportunity Employer RIT does not discriminate. RIT is an equal opportunity employer that promotes and values diversity, pluralism, and inclusion. For more information, please visit RIT/TitleIX or the U.S. Department of Education at ED.Gov. Salary Minimum: $70,000 Maximum: $79,000 Additional Information For the full job description and to apply, visit https://apptrkr.com/6718953