Assistant/Associate Professor of the Practice - Architecture

The appointment is expected to begin in the spring semester of 2027. This position is appointed to an initial three-year period with an opportunity for extension/renewal after a comprehensive review.

The teaching responsibilities of this position will be focused on studio instruction in the accredited Master of Architecture curriculum. The successful candidate for this position is expected to have significant professional experience as outlined in the Required Qualifications.

The Architecture Department faculty’s core purpose is to prepare new practitioners in the design of the built environment, and for the path to architectural licensure. It seeks ways by which humanity can inhabit this planet in a sustainably healthy way. It does so primarily through its NAAB (National Architectural Accrediting Board) accredited Master of Architecture (M.Arch) program and its accredited Interior Architecture program. The faculty is committed to excellence in applying our knowledge and experience in educating the next generation of architects. The Department seeks candidates who can contribute to its knowledge and teaching as described above.

In addition to the M.Arch and IA degrees, the Architecture Department also offers an a PhD in architecture and multiple certificate programs. It has summer, semester, and year-long study abroad programs around the globe. The Architecture Department has recognized areas of expertise across Design-build, Sports and Leisure, Health and Wellness, Interior Architecture, Urban Housing, Urban Design, Aviation and Transit, Historic Preservation, and Sustainable Design, among others.

About the University of Kansas

The University of Kansas is the state’s flagship university, an R-1 institution and one of just 71 invited members of the prestigious Association of American Universities. Our university consistently earns high rankings for academics and recognition as a premier research university (engaging in $611 million of research in fiscal year 2025).

KU has 25 programs ranked in the U.S. News & World Report top 25 among public universities, including #1 rankings for graduate programs in paleontology and special education. KU has 65 ranked graduate programs and is ranked 31st in best value among public institutions in 2026. KU offers more than 8,000 courses, 460 degree and certificate programs, and more than 200 fields of study. The University values global engagement with more than 150 programs of international study and cooperative research and offers more than 200 study abroad programs. As of Fall 2025, student enrollment for the Lawrence-Edwards campus was 27,212 representing all 50 states and 115 countries.

This position is subject to a collective bargaining agreement between The University of Kansas and United Academics, United Academics of KU, AAUP, or AFT. UAKU is the exclusive representative. As the State of Kansas is a right to work state, you have the right to be a member or not be a member of a union without fear of personal or professional repercussions.

Job Description

KU’s excellence is a result of the rich tapestry of experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds of our faculty, staff, students, and colleagues from across our nation and the globe. At KU, we invest in continuous learning and growth by creating a climate where people engage in respectful dialogue and debate, and support each other’s success. We foster a culture of care where each person is seen, heard and valued. When people feel a true sense of belonging, we believe they are better able to reach their full potential and achieve remarkable things.

The successful candidate must be eligible to work in the United States by the effective date of the appointment.

Allocation of Effort

Teaching (80%)

The typical teaching expectation for Professors of Practice in Architecture is 12 credit hours per semester. This equates to two 6-credit hour studios OR one 6-credit hour studio and two 3-credit hour courses per semester. Specific course assignments and locations are at the discretion of the Chair of the Architecture Department, although candidates may be consulted about their preferences.

Teaching typically, but not exclusively, involves being an instructor of record for courses, but may include team teaching, carrying out course transformation, assessment of learning outcomes, or other activities to implement innovations in teaching and learning.

Service (20%)

Serve the department, university, state, and/or the profession. This includes attending departmental meetings and serving on committees (as appropriate).

All faculty members are expected to follow the school’s standards of professionalism.

Required Qualifications

Required Qualifications for Both Assistant and Associate Professor Candidates

• Demonstrated record of professional work and/or creative work that demonstrates expertise in a range of building typologies, consultation, and/or project management in practice. At least 9 years of professional experience.
• Architectural licensure.
• A professional degree in architecture (Bachelor’s-level or higher), NAAB-accredited or equivalent. Any successful candidate without a Master’s degree will require approval from the Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs.

Required Qualifications for Associate Professor Candidates Only

• Sustained record of teaching and/or professional mentoring and team leadership demonstrating consistent performance across several semesters.
• Sustained record of professional work and/or creative work with at least 10 years of professional experience.

This position requires a formal degree in the cited discipline area(s) to ensure that candidates have the foundational knowledge and skill set required to perform the duties of the position. The level of degree is based on accreditation requirements, institutional standards of academic and professional excellence, alignment with peer institution benchmarks, and contributes to the credibility and effectiveness of the role within the university community.

Additional Candidate Instructions

Applicants should submit the following items:

1. Letter of intent, including a statement outlining their area of expertise, creative, and/or professional interests, and show how they see these contributing to the degree programs in the Architecture Department at the University of Kansas;
2. Curriculum Vitae;
3. Names and contact information (email included) of three references; and
4. A digital portfolio of professional, creative, and/or student work to demonstrate effectiveness of teaching. Candidates should provide a link where the portfolio can be viewed and downloaded.

Application review begins Tuesday, November 10, 2026. Apply by November 9th to ensure consideration.

Contact Information to Applicants

Jae Chang, PhD
Professor of Architecture
Associate Dean for Research, Innovation & Entrepreneurship
jdchang@ku.edu

Advertised Salary Range

Salary for the position will be commensurate with experience and allocation of effort (part- vs full-time).

Application Review Begins

Tuesday November 10, 2026

Anticipated Start Date

Friday January 1, 2027

Apply to Job

Working at the University of Kansas

Join the University of Kansas, and you’ll become part of a Jayhawk family that spans the globe. Wear your KU shirt in London, Istanbul, Buenos Aires, Nairobi or anywhere else, and you will likely hear a resounding “Rock Chalk!” from a stranger. Of course, the appropriate response is an enthusiastic “Jayhawk!” Because, after all, they’re not really strangers, they’re family.

The Jayhawk community is united by more than 150 years of tradition and by our commitment to pushing the boundaries of knowledge, transforming the academic experience, and creating solutions through innovative research. KU’s mission is to lift students and society by educating leaders, building healthy communities and making discoveries that change the world.

The University of Kansas is the state’s flagship university and one of just 66 invited members of the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU). We consistently earn high rankings for academics and recognition as a premier research university.

KU faculty and staff embrace our role as the state’s flagship university, AAU member and R1 institution that serves the state, nation and world. We celebrate the energy and compassion that infuse the Jayhawk spirit; and, we remain true to KU’s historic values: the elevating force of education, the transformative power of research and the healing power of service.

Instruction

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International Dimension

KU offers more than 100 programs of international study and cooperative research for KU students and faculty at sites around the world. The university offers teaching and research that draw upon and contribute to the most advanced developments throughout the United States and abroad. At the same time, KU's extensive international ties support economic development in Kansas.

Values

The University of Kansas, our students and employees are committed to excellence. We foster a multicultural, inclusive environment in which the dignity and rights of individuals are respected. Intellectual diversity, integrity and disciplined inquiry in the search for knowledge are of paramount importance.

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KU sits atop Mt. Oread in the center of Lawrence, a town full of natural beauty and culture. In fact, Rolling Stone magazine named Lawrence one of the best college towns in the United States. Lawrence is home to more than 100,000 people, and has a charming, Midwestern friendliness that welcomes visitors and celebrates diversity. In addition to KU, Lawrence is home to Haskell Indian Nations University, the premiere tribal university in the United States.

Lawrence’s historic and thriving downtown features restaurants, nightlife and local shops offering unique finds that you won’t find anywhere else. The town has more than 50 parks, an encompassing mixed-use trail, and quick access to biking/hiking trails along the Kansas River and around Clinton Lake. A five-minute drive from Lawrence, Clinton Lake offers fishing, boating, beaches, camping and other outdoor activities.

Located just 40 minutes west of Kansas City, Lawrence offers the appeal of a mid-size, suburban town with quick access to the amenities of a large city, including an international airport. The Kansas City metro area is home to world-class museums and cultural activities, Jazz clubs and other nightlife venues, expansive shopping options, and exciting professional sports with the Kansas City Chiefs, Kansas City Royals and Sporting KC.

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At the University of Kansas, you’ll join a global Jayhawk family and find a place to call home.