Interior Design Assistant/Associate Professor

Interior Design Assistant/Associate Professor

Below you will find the details for the position including any supplementary documentation and questions you should review before applying for this opening. All candidates must be eligible to work and live in the U.S. and VISA sponsorship is available.

Posting Details

• Position Title: Interior Design Assistant/Associate Professor
• Tenure Status: Tenure Track
• Rank: Assistant/Associate
• Position Number:
• VISA Sponsorship: Available (eligible candidates)
• Working Location: Boone, NC
• Start Date: TBA (Proposed date of hire 08/19/2026)
• Salary: Competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Position Summary

Minimum Qualifications: Candidates must possess a terminal degree in Interior Design or a design‑related discipline (Ph.D., MFA, M. Arch., or equivalent) with a minimum of one studio‑based degree in Interior Design/Interior Architecture.

Areas of Interest (No Minimum Level Required)

• A demonstrated specialization in three or more of the following areas: AI applications in design, virtual reality, codes and standards, construction documentation and detailing, environmentally‑sensitive design, collaboration, evidence‑based design, human‑centered design, environmental psychology, ergonomics, human factors, or design technologies.
• Proficiency in the one or more of the following software programs: 20/20, 3D Studio Max, ProWalker GPU, Procreate, Morpholio, Twinmotion, V‑ray, SU Podium.
• Expertise in Autodesk Revit, Autodesk AutoCAD, Sketch‑Up, and the Adobe Creative Suite.
• Evidence of successful college/university teaching experience.
• NCIDQ certification, LEED and/or WELL accreditation.
• Evidence of AI integration in a design curriculum.
• Engagement with the interior design profession, professional organizations, and/or experience in professional practice.
• Experience with CIDA accreditation review.

License/Certification

While not required, NCIDQ certification, LEED and/or WELL Accredited Professionals are of interest.

Department Description

The interior design program is a four‑year, professional degree program that leads to a Bachelor of Science in Interior Design. It balances theoretical and pragmatic approaches delivered through lectures and studio courses. The program is accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA) and the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Environmental responsibility is woven throughout the curriculum, and the program has earned top honors in national and international competitions such as the PAVE retail competition and the NEWH Green Voice Design competition. Alumni work in all aspects of the interior design profession, primarily in the Southeast and East Coast, as well as nationally and internationally.

Applied Design includes three NASAD accredited undergraduate majors with nearly 500 students: Apparel Design and Merchandising, Industrial Design with concentrations in Furniture and Product Design, and Interior Design. Applied Design includes design studios, 12,000 square feet of prototyping studios, computer labs, and designated classrooms. The department has 18 tenure‑track and full‑time faculty focused on enhancing human experience through design, offering students experiential learning and requiring one internship.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Faculty are required to meet expectations in teaching, student development, scholarly and creative endeavors, and academic and professional service. Tasks include teaching courses in the Interior Design program; participating in program and CIDA accreditation development; serving on departmental and university committees; advising students; producing an active agenda of scholarly or creative work in the field; and developing and maintaining high‑quality studio resources.

ABD Consideration

ABD with reduction in rank and salary: ABD will be considered for this position. Evidence of successful defense of the dissertation must be received by July 31 for a fall hire or November 30 for a spring hire. If confirmation of defense is not provided by the deadline, the candidate will receive a new one‑year fixed‑term contract and be hired at the rank of Instructor, with a lower salary. If degree verification is provided before the end of the one‑year contract, the candidate will be returned to the rank of assistant professor with commensurate compensation beginning July 1 of the following academic year.

No ABD consideration

Only candidates with an earned doctorate or terminal degree from an accredited institution will be considered.

Special Instructions to Applicants

• A letter of application addressing minimal qualifications and areas of interest.
• Current curriculum vitae.
• Copy of transcripts.
• Complete contact information for three professional references.
• Portfolio of student work from classes taught (max 9 MB).
• Portfolio of professional design work and/or scholarly or creative endeavors.

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

• Cover letter/letter of interest.
• Curriculum vitae.
• Undergraduate transcript (unofficial, not password‑protected).
• Graduate transcript (unofficial, not password‑protected).
• List of references with contact information.
• Link to portfolio.

Optional Documents

• Doctoral transcript (unofficial, not password‑protected).
• Additional portfolio link.

Additional Information

Position is based on enrollment and subject to available funding. Payments will be made subject to unit budgets and federal regulations. The posting is open until filled.