Assistant Professor - Interior Design

Job Summary

The Department of Interior Design in the Faculty of Arts at Mount Royal University (Calgary) invites applications for a tenure-stream faculty position at the rank of Assistant Professor, subject to final budgetary approval, at the Rank of Assistant Professor.

Interior Design at Mount Royal is a CIDA (Council for Interior Design Accreditation) accredited program that offers an innovative, integrated and holistic educational model.  Core courses in each semester – Systems, Tools and Design + Precedent engage students through theoretical, functional and professional content that is synchronized for application in Studio. This teaching model reflects/mirrors the integrated, complex nature of interior design practice and requires a high level of collaboration and coordination between faculty members.

This unique teaching model integrates extensive research into design pedagogy and utilizes Ideas-Based Learning (Edmund J. Hansen, 2011). The department faculty developed and launched the Bachelor of Interior Design (BID) program to replace the very successful Bachelor of Applied Interior Design degree which ended in 2017.

The successful candidate will be a creative, critical thinker with a breadth of interior design industry experience who thrives in a collaborative team environment. This individual should have the ability to:

• Translate difficult or complex concepts into understandable terms (this may include previous mentorship or teaching experience).
• Communicate effectively with demonstrated public speaking/presentation skills
• Engage team members with effective interpersonal skills (professional and constructive interactions with students and faculty members).

New faculty are hired into one of two work patterns. The teaching/ scholarship/ service pattern (TSS) has a focus on teaching with the requirement that the faculty member be involved in a research program as well as service to the Mount Royal community. The teaching/ service pattern (TS) has a focus on teaching and service only. The successful candidate will be hired into either the teaching/ service pattern (TS) or the teaching/ scholarship/ service pattern (TSS). There is an option to change work patterns after tenure. The successful applicant must be qualified to teach introductory courses as well as senior courses in interior design as noted below and be involved in course and program development.

Teaching responsibilities for this position will include Tools (visual communications + technology), Systems (building construction + regulations) and Studio. Accordingly, a candidate with a strength and interest in teaching how technology is utilized in industry to visually communicate design intent as well as how building systems, materials + regulations impact the design and construction of the built environment is being sought.

Required Qualifications:

• Must possess at least one academic credential in Interior Design and/or commensurate experience in Interior Design practice.
• Master’s degree in Interior Design or related discipline.
• Ideally combination of a minimum 8-10 years professional interior design focused practice experience that includes a wide range of projects (scale and type), and teaching experience.
• Currency and competency in computer software (e.g. AutoCAD, Revit, SketchUp, Adobe Creative Suite, 3D imaging).
• Current NCIDQ certificate holder, or agreement to complete certification process following position acceptance

Preferred Qualifications + Experience:

• LEED AP and/or WELL Building Standard Certified
• Previous teaching experience at an undergraduate or graduate level
• Experience in curriculum development (including creating lectures, assignments and activities)

Key Faculty Responsibilities

• Curriculum teaching responsibilities include: Tools (visual communications + technology), Systems (building construction + regulations) and related Studios.
• Develop, refine and teach program students how technology (e.g. AutoCAD, Revit, SketchUp, Adobe Creative Suite, 3D imaging) is utilized in industry to visually communicate design and construction intent.
• Develop, refine and teach program students how building systems, materials + regulations impact the design and construction of the built environment.
• Remain current in areas of teaching responsibilities and maintain awareness of emerging trends in curricular areas as well as design practice.
• Effectively collaborate with full-time and contract faculty members on curriculum development, refinement, and educational technologies.
• Liaise with interior design and allied community members through attendance at industry events and committees.

Applications must include the following (in PDF format)

• Cover letter (describe your interest in the position and fit with the department, explicitly state which stream (TS or TSS) you are applying for)
• Curriculum vitae / resume
• References (3 – name, address, phone number, and email address (include an academic reference if you have previous teaching experience)

A portfolio outlining relevant interior design focused practice experience must include:

• Design philosophy
• Ddesign role (e.g. senior designer, project management, team leader, client liaison, etc.)
• Strength + interests in professional practice
• Digital competencies: software name(s), years of use/expertise level
• Representative examples of professional project work

A portfolio outlining relevant teaching and/or mentorship experience must include:

• Teaching philosophy (1 -2 pages)
• Mentorship (e.g. professional practice – LID internship, NCIDQ candidate)
• Area of teaching experience + course title (lecture, studio, curriculum development)
• Teaching role (course lead, crit, guest lecture and/or teaching assistant)
• Digital competencies: software name(s), years of use/expertise level
• Representative examples of student project work
• 1-2 page research statement accompanied by a recent research publication (if applying for TSS)

We thank all applicants for their interest. Only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted. After the close date, you can check on the status of your application through your Career Centre. New career opportunities arise frequently and are posted as they become available. Please check back often to view our latest postings on our Career Opportunities page. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. Mount Royal University hires on the basis of merit and is strongly committed to fostering diversity as a source of excellence, intellectual and cultural enrichment, and social strength. We welcome applications from those who would contribute to the further diversification of our staff, faculty and their scholarship including but not limited to Indigenous Peoples, women, persons with disabilities and persons of any sexual or gender identity, ethnic, national or socio-economic background, religion or age.