Assistant Professor in Architecture : AI and Time-Based Media

Description

The School of Architecture at The University of Texas at Austin invites applications and nominations for an accomplished designer and educator to join the faculty. The successful candidate will join the program as a full-time tenure-track Assistant Professor with responsibilities for research / creative practice, teaching, and service beginning Fall 2026. Exceptional, tenured candidates at a higher rank will also be considered.

We seek a collaborative colleague whose expertise is grounded in innovative practices in time-based media and creative approaches with AI technologies, evidenced by studio teaching and design practice. The successful candidate will demonstrate spatial design skills and clearly articulate a future research and creative practice trajectory that contributes to the advancement of a School of Architecture (SOA) design discipline and time-based media.

We seek candidates who demonstrate a proficiency in using current and emerging technology and software for the modeling, simulation, and analysis of systems visualized in scenario planning and storytelling. This description includes expertise in time-based media that shapes narratives of dynamic spatial environments through AI tools reliant upon robust data sets. The successful candidate will be expected to teach design studios and courses related to their qualifications at both the core and advanced levels of our undergraduate and graduate SOA curricula. We are seeking expertise in design that may emphasize dynamic environmental modeling, sensory-related studies, building technology integration, data and spatial visualization, gaming and / or storytelling.

Candidates should expect to collaborate with colleagues in the Colleges of Fine Arts and Communication, while inhabiting a design-specific home within the School of Architecture.

University Context :

The School of Architecture offers professionally accredited and post-professional degree programs in Architecture, Interior Design, Landscape Architecture, and Community and Regional Planning, as well as advanced research degrees in Architectural History, Historic Preservation, Sustainable Design, and Urban Design. With approximately 700 students across its programs, the School benefits from a strong studio culture, research-oriented initiatives, and an engaged community of faculty and students.

The School of Architecture is home to two internationally recognized research centers. The Center for Sustainable Development (CSD) manages externally funded projects in areas such as housing, urban resilience, and environmental planning, with annual research expenditures totaling $4.5 million. The Center for American Architecture and Design (CAAD) advances scholarship in theory, history, and contemporary practice across the Americas. Together, these centers form the backbone of a research ecosystem that encourages faculty to pursue interdisciplinary, sponsored, and collaborative projects.

Faculty at the School benefit from access to a suite of labs that support advanced teaching and research. The Materials Lab houses one of the country's largest collections of material samples, available for teaching, research, and public exhibition. The Technology Lab provides equipment for digital simulation and visualization, including VR / AR tools. The Build Lab and the Wood Shop support full-scale prototyping, construction, and fabrication. These resources enable faculty to integrate design, research, and experimentation into their teaching and practice.

The School of Architecture is recognized for its vibrant studio culture, where students and faculty across programs work in shared spaces that encourage exchange and experimentation. This collaborative environment allows faculty to explore cross-disciplinary teaching and to engage with students from different professional backgrounds, enriching both pedagogy and practice.

Faculty across the School regularly partner with community organizations and local government to address pressing urban issues in Austin and beyond. These partnerships - with groups such as the City of Austin, non-profit housing coalitions, and regional planning authorities - create a platform for praxis-oriented research and allow faculty to directly connect their scholarship to real-world impact.

The School of Architecture supports interdisciplinary and international collaboration through endowment funds and academic support of curricular innovation. We welcome national and international applicants with wide range of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives that will enrich our pursuits and allow our research and teaching to evolve alongside the constituencies we serve.

As one of the largest and most highly regarded public universities in the United States, The University of Texas at Austin offers faculty access to extensive infrastructure and research networks. The university is home to more than 200 research centers and units and is committed to fostering interdisciplinary work across its colleges and schools. Faculty at UT benefit from both internal and external research opportunities, as well as robust support for teaching and professional development.

As the 11th most populous city in the US, Austin is a thriving, culturally vibrant community with rich natural environs. It is centrally located in the growing megaregion of Austin, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, and San Antonio and capitalizes on the rich borderland culture between Mexico and the United States. The city's rapid transformation provides opportunities and resources for professional education while also enabling students to gain a broader view of their field concerning contemporary, local, and global challenges to the built and natural environment.

Beyond its professional relevance, Austin is known for its high quality of life. The city combines a thriving music, food, and arts scene with extensive access to natural environments, including the Barton Creek Greenbelt, Lady Bird Lake, and the Texas Hill Country. Faculty relocating to Austin find a city that is both culturally vibrant and family-friendly, with year-round outdoor activities and a welcoming community.

Qualifications

Candidates are expected to hold, at a minimum, a terminal professional design degree from an accredited institution. Their background will show impressive design capabilities evidenced by studio teaching and design practice. The successful candidate will demonstrate spatial design skills and clearly articulate a future research and creative practice trajectory with plans for contributing to the advancement of the field. We seek candidates who demonstrate a proficiency in using current and emerging software and technology for the modeling, simulation, and analysis of systems visualized in scenario planning and narratives. This description includes expertise in time-based media that shapes narratives of dynamic spatial environments through AI tools reliant upon robust data sets. The successful candidate will be expected to teach design studios and courses related to their qualifications at both the core and advanced levels of our undergraduate and / or graduate architecture curricula.

Application Instructions

Application review will begin January 15 and will continue until the position is filled. Applicants should submit the following materials online :

• A cover letter summarizing experience in the areas of teaching, research, design, including technology expertise;
• A statement of interest describing the candidate's research / creative practice objectives, teaching philosophy, and overall academic trajectory;
• A curriculum vitae;
• A PDF portfolio of creative work (practice-based or speculative proposals) and / or scholarly research, and teaching examples related to AI, time-based media, environmental or architectural design studies (syllabi, briefs, and student work);
• Names and contact information for three references.

All application reviews will be conducted with materials submitted through Interfolio (link). Please do not submit hard copy materials.

Contact for Questions :

Dean Almy, Professor

Search Committee Chair

Email : dja3@utexas.edu

For more information about The University of Texas at Austin School of Architecture, please see https : / / soa.utexas.edu / .

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity / affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.