"Visiting Assistant or Associate Professor of Practice, Landscape Architecture"

Visiting Assistant or Associate Professor of Practice, Landscape Architecture

Company: Virginia Tech

Job Location: Blacksburg, 24061

Category: Horticulture and Landscape Architecture

Type: Full-Time

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 professor of practice 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 or experienced professionals to spend time immersed in the creative community of the Landscape Architecture Program and 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.

The Landscape Architecture Program seeks an emerging or established leader whose work integrates design thinking, theory, and practice in landscape architecture with design of the built environment. We are looking for hands-on collaborators who will participate with us in shaping a critical landscape pedagogy by building on our program's existing focal areas, and by diversifying our expertise in landscape architecture practices. We are particularly interested in candidates with expertise and interests in foundational design and contemporary practice, cross-disciplinary collaborations, and helping students come to learn the profession through internships, experiential learning, design competition, and career advising. Successful candidates will join faculty colleagues in stewarding development and growth of the Landscape Architecture Program.

The successful candidate's teaching will contribute to our design-led curriculum through areas of an individual's expertise. Ideally, the successful candidate will have knowledge or skills related to urban design or land planning, early design education, community engagement, brownfield development, and/or the business side of landscape architecture. Faculty will be asked to contribute program lecture/workshop series, and masters thesis/senior project advising, as well as the activities of the school, college and university related to their areas of expertise and interests. Professor of practice faculty members are expected to remain active in their professions in ways that contribute to the program through teaching, consulting, and/or outreach, and/or serving in technical and professional societies and associations, and similar activities.

About the Landscape Architecture Program at Virginia Tech

The Landscape Architecture Program at Virginia Tech is an educational community committed to discovering, developing and disseminating knowledge related to the discipline and profession of landscape architecture. We are dedicated to developing and expanding greater societal understanding and problem-solving addressing the complex interrelationships between people and the physical environment, and exploring more sustainable and resilient futures through planning, designing, and managing landscapes that integrate design for resilience, people and place, and community-based design, as well as design education and pedagogy. The curriculum reflects a continued commitment to discovery-based, experiential learning, and disciplinary and interdisciplinary content.

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.

Our program is a recognized national leader within the discipline. We are at the forefront of addressing many critical issues, including design education; community-based design practices; design for resilience including design and planning for sea level rise, climate change and blue and green infrastructure; and the planning, design, and development of healthy, resilient communities. This work extends from the classroom into diverse communities, and through scholarly and creative works.

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 design studios and lecture/seminar courses in areas that integrate professional design practices,
• Professional experience in Landscape Architecture,
• Versatility in teaching, mentoring, and supervising undergraduate and graduate students.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional registration/licensure in landscape architecture, or a Ph.D. in landscape architecture or a related field. Applicants that are ABD will be considered,
• Experience working in a public or private sector and/or prior teaching experience,
• Ability or evidence of potential to teach site or beginning design studios at the undergraduate or graduate level,
• Evidence of outstanding landscape architectural design skills,
• Experience in community-based design and engagement practices,
• Experience with contemporary drawing and modeling techniques (such as analog media, Adobe Suite, Sketchup, AutoCAD, Rhino, Grasshopper, ArcGIS, BIM/LIM, or digital fabrication),
• A strong design philosophy grounded in contemporary practice and a track record of investigating contemporary issues through techniques that translate to a design studio setting.
• 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 relevant experiences and accomplishments, works in progress, or proposed work that demonstrates your potential for success in this position.
• 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 and/or professional practice interests (limit to one page).
• A curriculum vitae that presents the candidate's teaching and/or professional experience, and as applicable: lists of professional projects, awards, publications, and grants.
• Portfolio of professional, scholarly, and/or teaching work (max 9 MB PDF).
• Reference list of three persons (including the names and titles) the search committee may contact. Including: e-mail addresses and phone numbers.

Additional materials may be requested of 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. 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.