"Assistant or Associate Professor, Fashion Merchandising & Design"

Job Description

The School of Design is seeking applications for a tenure-track Assistant or Associate Professor in Fashion Merchandising and Design (FMD). The applicants for this position must have expertise in textiles, fashion design, product development, and/or textile or design technology. The FMD major at Virginia Tech emphasizes the integration of design, product development, and merchandising of apparel products. Graduates work in product development as creative designers, technical designers, or product developers using their creative skills to conceptualize couture and ready-to-wear lines presented around the globe. Graduates may also work as retail buyers, store managers, website developers, internet merchants, or visual merchandisers for national and international companies. All FMD students graduate with a solid foundation in the fashion industry including design, retail and textiles.

The successful candidate will be required to provide transcripts of the highest level of academic achievement and a portfolio of work as appropriate. The starting date is August 2026. Review of applications will begin January 5, 2026, and continue until a suitable candidate is appointed. This is an academic year (9-month) position.

Responsibilities include:

• Teach undergraduate studio, lab, and/or lecture courses.
• Teach a combination of undergraduate courses from the following list: introduction to textiles, textile evaluation, fashion drawing - hand and digital; apparel production/assembly; technical design, draping, flat pattern and grading; product development, 3D apparel design using CLO3D, and/or fashion promotions and visual merchandising.
• Maintain functionality of design, textile, and/or technology studio assets. This may include textile-testing laboratory equipment, plotters, printers, dress forms, sewing machines and other textile and apparel related equipment and supplies
• Participate in curriculum development.
• Participate in recruitment activities to enhance enrollments in the Fashion Merchandising and Design major.
• Develop and maintain a research agenda with appropriate publications or other creative and scholarly output that is reviewed by peers
• Provide service to the university and profession
• Participate in occasional travel to attend professional meetings

Required Qualifications

• A Ph.D. or a terminal degree in the Fine Arts completed by the appointment start date. At least one degree must be in fashion design, textiles, merchandising, retail, or in a discipline closely related to the courses to be taught
• Demonstrated record of research/creative activity
• Ability and willingness to collaborate effectively with various campus units and external industry groups

Preferred Qualifications

• Teaching experience in a university program in fashion design, textiles or experience in providing training in fashion industry settings
• Experience managing supplies/materials and other studio resources
• Knowledge of undergraduate policies in higher education
• Ability to seek and obtain (or potential to attract) funding to support research and other scholarly activities
• Proficiency in flat patternmaking, draping, and garment construction and/or in textile technologies and textile laboratory work
• Proficiency in Photoshop, Illustrator, and CLO3D or other design technologies
• Experience with plotting and poster production

Submission Materials

For full consideration, interested applicants are required to submit the following:

• Letter of application
• Curriculum Vitae
• Portfolio of design work as appropriate for classes to be taught
• Contact information for three professional references, and
• A one-page personal statement of teaching philosophy including the candidate's ideas for supporting an educational environment consistent with the Virginia Tech Principles of Community.

Overtime Status

Exempt: Not eligible for overtime

Appointment Type

Regular

Salary Information

Salary range is $80,000 - $95,000 per year as dictated by rank and experience

Hours per week

40+, evenings & weekends as needed

Review Date

January 5, 2026 - Review of submissions will commence on this date and continue until position is filled

Additional Information

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Julie Weaver at juliew19@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.

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