"Assistant/Associate Professor- Interior Design, 9-Month Appointment"

Job Details

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.

Referred to as the “Hub City” because it serves as the educational, cultural, economic, and health care hub of the South Plains region, Lubbock boasts a diverse population and a strong connection to community, history, and land. With a mild climate, highly rated public schools, and a low cost of living, Lubbock is a family-friendly community that is ranked as one of the best places to live in Texas. Lubbock is home to a celebrated and ever-evolving music scene, a vibrant arts community, and is within driving distance of Dallas, Austin, Santa Fe, and other major metropolitan cities. Lubbock’s Convention & Visitors Bureau provides a comprehensive overview of the Lubbock community and its resources, programs, events, and histories.

About the College:

As one of the four original colleges at Texas Tech University at its founding in 1925, 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). By fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, industry partnerships, and innovative learning environments, the Design Village promises to deliver significant benefits to students and the university, positioning Texas Tech University at the forefront of design and technology education. We therefore are recruiting faculty who will provide current knowledge, innovative research, and technological skills for bright students while pursuing research, scholarship, and creative activities.

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, 2026).

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.

Required Qualifications:

• All applicants should have 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.
• A strong record of scholarship and the continued capacity to conduct scholarship supported by extramural funding bringing externally sponsored research to Texas Tech University.

Preferred Qualifications:

Teaching experience in interior design or related field as an instructor in higher education in Interior Design or Architecture.

• Professional practice experience in interior design 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.

Safety Information:

Adherence to robust safety practices and compliance with all applicable health and safety regulations are the responsibilities of all TTU employees.

Equal Opportunity Statement:

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information or status as a protected veteran.

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Please include the following documents in your application:

• Curriculum Vitae
• Cover Letter
• Applicant’s portfolio
• Portfolio of student work from courses taught by applicant if applicable
• Other document(s) related to required qualifications if applicable
• List of three references

Questions about this position should be directed to Dr. Sharran Parkinson, Professor, Search Committee Chair at sharran.parkinson@ttu.edu. If you need assistance with the application process, contact Human Resources, Talent Acquisition at hrs.recruiting@ttu.edu or 806-742-3851.

Application Process

The deadline to submit applications is November 14, 2025.