"Visiting Assistant or Associate Professor, Landscape Architecture"

Job Description

The Landscape Architecture Program in Virginia Tech's College of Architecture, Arts, and Design invites applications for a full-time academic year visiting assistant or associate faculty appointment, to begin in the Fall 2026 in Blacksburg, Virginia. The initial term will be one-year with the opportunity for renewal.

The Landscape Architecture Program seeks applicants with a strong interest in teaching design studios and the ability to teach core technology courses at both the graduate and undergraduate levels. We also offer opportunities to teach theory and methods courses, or seminars in areas of expertise. This position enables emerging designers and scholars, or experienced professionals to spend up to three years immersed in the creative community of the Landscape Architecture Program, in the School of Design on the main campus in Blacksburg. We encourage candidates who can demonstrate their promise, passion, and creativity to integrate their research and creative works with their teaching to apply.

We are looking for hands-on collaborators who will participate in contributing to a critical landscape pedagogy by building on our program's existing focal areas, and by expanding our expertise in landscape architecture practices. We are particularly interested in candidates with expertise and interests in foundational design, contemporary practice, and cross-disciplinary collaborations. Successful candidates will join faculty colleagues in stewarding growth of the Landscape Architecture Program and contributing to the school and college.

Faculty in the Landscape Architecture Program at Virginia Tech are expected to teach (design studios, technical and lecture courses, topical seminars), advise and mentor students, engage in community and university service, and to establish and/or maintain an active agenda of scholarly pursuits including, but not limited to, supported research, and creative and/or professionally associated practice disseminated through appropriate venues.

The School of Design joins the School of Architecture, the School of Visual Arts, and the School of Performing Arts in the College of Architecture, Arts, and Design (AAD). The school strives to create an environment where each student's unique abilities and capacities can be activated, while challenging students with the standards of excellence and achievement that are inherent in their chosen discipline. The School of Design includes accredited degrees in Landscape Architecture, Interior Design, and Industrial Design, as well as an undergraduate degree in Apparel, Housing, and Resource Management. The school's professional programs are studio-based and offer direct opportunities to study abroad and internships with industry partners.

Required Qualifications

• A Master's degree in Landscape Architecture or a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture or BS in Landscape Architecture plus a terminal degree in a related field, at the time employment begins. Landscape architecture degree must be from an accredited degree program,
• Ability or evidence of potential to teach across a range of academic coursework in one or more design studios, and topical and technical content areas to undergraduate and graduate students, and
• Ability or evidence of potential to develop and/or maintain a strong peer-reviewed research/scholarship/creative activity agenda in the discipline.
• Ability to travel for meetings, program field trips, and conferences

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional licensure in Landscape Architecture and/or a Ph.D. on a topic of landscape architecture or a closely related field,
• A proven track record of engagement in disciplinary and/or multidisciplinary research, critical design practice, and/or scholarship
• Evidence of outstanding landscape architectural design skills
• Professional experience in Landscape Architecture or a related design field
• Experience in community-based design and engagement practices,
• A record of service within the discipline and/or profession.
• Eligibility for membership in the American Society of Landscape Architects, or membership in another professional association of landscape architects or closely allied professional organization.

Application Materials

• Cover letter expressing interest and qualifications including a summary of notable accomplishments, works in progress, or proposed work that demonstrates your potential for success in this position;
• A curriculum vitae that presents the candidate's teaching and/or professional experience, and as applicable: lists of professional projects, awards, publications, and grants.
• 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.
• Personal statement of research interests, scholarly and/or creative activities, and agenda (limited to one page);
• Portfolio of professional, scholarly, and/or teaching work (max 9 MB PDF).
• Reference list of three persons (including names, titles, e-mail addresses and phone numbers) the search committee may contact.

Additional materials may be requested from shortlisted candidates

Overtime Status

Exempt: Not eligible for overtime

Appointment Type

Restricted

Salary Information

Salary range is $60,000 - $65,000 per year

Hours per week

40+, evenings & weekends as needed

Review Date

March 30, 2026

Additional Information

All persons with proven experience/track record in the areas described in this job posting are encouraged to apply. Candidates with licensure in landscape architecture and/or a PhD are encouraged to apply. We also strongly encourage candidates who will contribute to the richness of our academic community to apply. The position will be classified according to the candidate's merit. The position requires occasional travel to attend conferences and meetings as well as program field trips.

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