Proposed Start Date 09/16/2026

Rank C - Assistant Professor

Working Title Assistant Professor (Tectonics)

Position Number D91286

Representation AU - AAUP

Faculty Type Tenure Track

Fixed Term End Date:

Position FTE 1.0

Term of Service 9 month

Brief Description of PSU/School/Dept

The School of Architecture at PSU has a rich, materially based curriculum, which challenges students to address the poetics of material, urban issues and cultural meaning, community engagement and social needs through architecture and design.

With an established reputation for promoting a materially diverse, urban-oriented, socially engaged architectural education, including a pre-professional undergraduate degree in Architecture, a professional accredited Master of Architecture, the Center for Public Interest Design, and strong ties to local design practice, we offer a rigorous educational experience in the ideal setting of downtown Portland.

Position Summary

Portland State University School of Architecture wishes to hire a full-time tenure-track Assistant Professor to teach structures with building technology and architectural design studio. Candidates will be expected to embrace the culture of making at the heart of our pedagogy through creative teaching strategies, critical perspectives and innovative practices. The appointment includes advising and mentoring congruent with creative and engaged instruction, including graduate design thesis.

The school has designed its pedagogy upon a creative engagement with the prevailing realities of the city as a primary means of cultural transformation, and perceives Portland as an urban laboratory for speculations into contemporary social and environmental issues. Taking place through interaction and collaboration with the communities at large, the school promotes theoretical exploration, critical dialogue and interpretive making with diverse media at multiple scales.

Portland State University School of Architecture offers a NAAB-accredited professional two-year Master of Architecture degree, a three-year track Master of Architecture, a four-year pre-professional undergraduate degree in architecture, and Graduate Certificates in both Public Interest Design and Urban Design The candidate must be able to teach effectively across all levels and be fully engaged in the innovation of new pedagogic strategies and curricular development.

Primary Activity I - Instructional

Minimum Qualifications

  • Master’s degree in Architecture
  • Candidates should demonstrate tangible instructional experience in teaching situations, including structures, building technology classes, and architectural design studio, with at least 3 years of teaching experience (equivalent to 2 years of full-time teaching).
  • Candidates must be able to articulate an existing, continuing research and/or creative agenda that expands the scholarly field of architecture and demonstrate how this will contribute to the enrichment of school pedagogy.

Preferred Qualifications

Key Cultural Competencies

  • Creates an environment that acknowledges, encourages and celebrates differences.
  • Functions and communicates effectively and respectfully within the context of varying beliefs, behaviors, orientations, identities and cultural backgrounds.
  • Seeks opportunities to gain experience working and collaborating in diverse, multicultural, and inclusive settings with a willingness to change for continual improvement
  • Adheres to all PSU’s policies including the policies on Prohibited Discrimination & Harassment and the Professional Standards of Conduct.

Environmental Stewardship

Contributes to a culture of environmental stewardship, practices resource conservation, and actively works toward achieving long-term sustainability goals.

Professional Standards of Conduct

At Portland State University, all employees are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner which maintains a safe, respectful, and productive environment for faculty, students, administrators, and staff. It is the responsibility of every member of the Portland State University community to conduct themselves in accordance with our PSU Professional Standards of Conduct

Total Compensation Range & Benefits Statement

Salary is dependent on several factors, and new employees will typically start around the Q1 level to allow for later growth within the salary band. PSU has a structured process for determining starting compensation, taking into account years of related experience, applicable skills, knowledge and abilities, market parity, and internal equity.

The starting annual salary for this position will be $74,016 but may be negotiated above this rate dependent upon the factors above, the budget of the hiring department, and approval from HR.

An excellent benefits package includes 95% premium paid healthcare; a generous retirement and vacation package; and reduced tuition rates for employee, spouse or dependent at any of the Oregon University System schools. Please visit our total compensation calculator to see the full value of our benefits package.

Additional Information

Required submission materials:

  • CV
  • cover letter
  • statement of teaching philosophy
  • statement of teaching interests
  • evidence of teaching effectiveness
  • A focused portfolio of no more than 20 pages representing:
    • a) examples of research and/or creative activities;
    • b) examples of student work completed under the direction of the applicant.
    • (Please upload portfolio under “Link to Website or Design Portfolio” and keep at 9 MB or less)
  • Names, emails and phone numbers of three references, who will be contacted if you are a finalist for the position.

Additional Application Instructions (deadlines, etc.)

Applications will be reviewed beginning December, 1 2025 and continue until finalists are identified. All applications, including portfolio submission, should be submitted electronically through the PSU application system. All files should be 9MB or less.

Does this position require the employee to drive a motor vehicle? No

Background Check Required Yes

If you have questions

Please email the Search Committee Chair Professor Travis Bell at btravis@pdx.edu

Posting Close Date

Projected Close Date for Posting Open Until Finalists Identified

Application screening begins 12/01/2025

Will you consider an ABD applicant for this position? No

If yes, when must the degree be earned?

If necessary, would you be willing to sponsor the succcessful applicant for permanent US residence, now or in the future? No

Accept References Yes

Minimum Number of References 3

Maximum Number of References 4

Cutoff Date

Special Instruction for Reference Provider

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Confirmed 10 hours ago. Posted 8 days ago.

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