The Interior Design program at Kansas State University invites applications for a 9-month faculty position beginning August 2027. The successful candidate may be appointed as either a tenure-track Assistant Professor or Professor of Practice, depending on qualifications and professional experience. Salary will be competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience.
Our program is distinguished by the scholarly and professional expertise of its faculty and a shared commitment to preparing entry-level interior design professionals. Our curriculum emphasizes collaboration, human-centered and evidence-based design, technical competency, and design approaches that promote health, well-being, and responsible professional practice.
We seek a collaborative, future-oriented colleague who brings creative energy, professional expertise, and a commitment to interior design education. Candidates should demonstrate the ability to contribute to a team-based teaching environment and to integrate contemporary professional practice into the curriculum.
SHARED TEACHING RESPONSIBILITIES
The successful candidate will teach design studios and other courses across the Interior Design curriculum. Candidates should be prepared to integrate contemporary methods and technologies into studio instruction and demonstrate proficiency with software commonly used in professional practice, including Revit, Enscape, and Adobe Creative Cloud.
Candidates should demonstrate the ability to teach in design studios and in two or more of the following curricular areas: evidence-based design; history and theory of interior design; materials and construction; textiles; construction documents; building systems and technology; and digital visualization.
Studio courses are commonly co-taught. Candidates should therefore demonstrate collaborative professional and/or teaching experience and an ability to contribute effectively to shared course leadership, curriculum coordination, and student learning.
APPOINTMENT PATHWAYS
TENURE-TRACK ASSISTANT PROFESSOR
The tenure-track appointment supports the university's integrated mission of teaching, research/creative scholarship, and service.
Teaching — 65–70%
Teach undergraduate interior design studios and other courses aligned with the candidate's expertise and program needs. Contribute to collaborative teaching, curriculum development, and continuous improvement of the Interior Design program.
Research and Creative Scholarship — 25–30%
Develop and sustain a focused program of research and/or creative scholarship informed by the candidate's academic preparation, professional expertise, teaching interests, or emerging areas of inquiry. The successful candidate's scholarly and creative work will contribute to advancement within the discipline and form an important basis for tenure and promotion.
Service — 5–10%
Contribute to departmental governance; college and university committees and initiatives; student, professional, and community engagement; and relevant disciplinary or professional organizations.
PROFESSOR OF PRACTICE
The Professor of Practice appointment emphasizes teaching excellence, professional expertise, and engagement with the Interior Design program and profession.
Teaching — 80–90%
Teach undergraduate interior design studios and other courses aligned with the candidate's professional expertise and program needs. Bring substantial professional practice experience into the classroom and contribute to collaborative teaching, curriculum development, and the integration of current professional standards, technologies, and methods.
Service — 10–20%
Contribute to departmental governance, program and college initiatives, student engagement, and professional communities. The successful candidate will help strengthen connections among the program, alumni, practitioners, and the broader interior design profession.
The Interior Design program at Kansas State University offers a four-year, first-professional Bachelor of Science in Interior Design. The program is part of the Department of Interior Architecture and Industrial Design (IAID) within the College of Architecture, Planning and Design (APDesign). In 2025, Interior Design celebrated 100 years of design education at Kansas State University.
The program enrolls approximately 137 students and is supported by five full-time faculty. It is accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA), and Kansas State University is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Our students have earned recognition through national and international design competitions and are valued by employers for their professional preparation, collaborative abilities, and workplace readiness. The 2025 graduating class achieved 100% employment in the field by January 1, 2026.
As part of APDesign, Interior Design faculty and students have opportunities to collaborate with programs in Interior Architecture, Industrial Design, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, and Regional & Community Planning. APDesign is housed in the Seaton and Regnier Hall complex, which provides contemporary teaching, research, and collaborative spaces and approximately 20,000 square feet of fabrication and research laboratories.
The Interior Design faculty approach design education as a collaborative endeavor. Faculty co-teach studios, coordinate learning across the curriculum, and continually evaluate courses and pedagogical approaches to respond to changes in professional practice, technology, research, and societal needs. We seek a colleague who will contribute to this culture while bringing new perspectives and expertise to the program.
Our curriculum prepares interior designers to address complex human and societal needs through evidence-based, human-centered design while meeting professional responsibilities and client expectations. We value intellectual diversity, collaboration, innovation, ethical professional practice, and the role of design in supporting human health and well-being.
Additional information may be found at www.ksu.edu (university), apdesign.k-state.edu (college),apdesign.k-state.edu/IAID (department), and www.manhattan.org (community).
This position is On-site.
Minimum Qualifications:
FOR TENURE-TRACK ASSISTANT PROFESSOR
FOR PROFESSOR OF PRACTICE
The degree requirement is necessary for accreditation purposes and to ensure candidates possess the specialized knowledge, skills, and abilities that can only be attained through a formal educational program at this level.
Preferred Qualifications:
FOR TENURE-TRACK ASSISTANT PROFESSOR
FOR PROFESSOR OF PRACTICE
Sponsorship eligibility:
Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship
Please submit the following documents:
Applications close on: December 15, 2026
$70,000-$78,000
Kansas State University offers a supportive and inclusive community, dedicated to your professional growth. While specific benefits may vary by position, many roles come with comprehensive packages that support your well-being and work-life balance, including health and life insurance, retirement plans, and generous paid time off. To learn more about benefits that are available for various positions, visit our benefits overview page.
Employees must be authorized to work in the United States at the time of employment. International candidates who require employer-sponsored work authorization are welcome to apply. Eligibility for visa sponsorship depends on several factors, including but not limited to, the job’s occupational requirements, specific duties, wage level, the candidate’s qualifications (such as degree field) and available departmental resources. As a result, not all positions or applicants will be eligible for sponsorship.
Kansas State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, age, national origin, disability or status as a protected veteran.
Some positions are eligible for remote or hybrid working arrangements. An employee who is working in a remote or hybrid capacity for K-State must reside within the United States in order to comply with all federal and state laws, filings, or tax requirements. Remote and hybrid work arrangements are not available for anyone who resides in the state of Idaho.
Kansas participates in the MakeMyMove program, which connects eligible newcomers with participating communities offering financial incentives, housing support, and local perks to help make your move easier and more rewarding. If relocating from outside of Kansas you can visit the site to apply online for the program incentives.
Upon acceptance of a contingent offer of employment, a candidate may be subject to a background check per K-State’s background check policy.
Kansas State University honors interview preferences for qualified applicants who are veterans or individuals with disabilities. Eligible applicants who meet the minimum qualifications, submit all required application materials, and submit required preference documentation by the closing date on the job advertisement will be granted a first-level interview.
The disability and veteran interview preferences do not apply to student employment positions, temporary positions, athletics positions, academic and administrative department heads*, positions that require licensure as a physician, and positions that require that the employee be admitted to practice law in Kansas.
*Heads of Departments refers to any individual holding a primary leadership role responsible for the overall strategic direction, management and operational oversight of a recognized academic or administrative unit within the university.
To learn more about interview preferences at K-State, please visit our interview preferences page.
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