Assistant Professor in Architecture

Position Details
University of Colorado | Denver
Faculty Level/Title: Assistant Professor
Working Title: Assistant Professor in Architecture
FTE: Full-time
Salary: $85,000
Position # 00708801 - Requisition #38195
Join the University of Colorado Denver

About the University of Colorado - Denver
Millions of moments start at CU Denver, a place where innovation, research, and learning meet in the heart of a global city. We're the state's premier public urban research university with more than 100 in-demand, top ranked bachelors', masters', and doctoral degree programs. We partner with diverse learners-at any stage of their life and career-for transformative educational experiences. Across seven schools and colleges, our leading faculty inspires and works alongside students to solve complex challenges and produce impactful creative work. As part of the state's largest university system, CU Denver is a major contributor to the Colorado economy, with 2,000 employees and an annual economic impact of $800 million. To learn more about how CU Denver helps learners meet their moment, visit ucdenver.edu.

Job Description
* Applications are accepted electronically ONLY at www.cu.edu/cu-careers *

The Department of Architecture is committed to design, research, and scholarship and engagement with diverse perspectives through design inquiry and making in pursuit of an architecture that is open to all.

The Department of Architecture at the University of Colorado Denver has openings for multiple full-time, Tenure-Track faculty positions at the rank of Assistant Professor. The anticipated start date is August 2026.

The department seeks highly motivated candidates who can address contemporary challenges with an experimental and critical mindset, have a well-developed teaching pedagogy, and a recognized record for contributing to design studio discourse and culture with a progressive research agenda and/or creative practice agenda. Applicants must demonstrate the potential to teach undergraduate students from a diversity of backgrounds at the intersection of design, critical theory, and technology through foundational and advanced studios, large lecture courses, and seminars.

Successful candidates should demonstrate the potential for, or evidence of, excellence in teaching and scholarship. This evidence should include publications, and substantial external funding activity, as well as a commitment to developing innovative research initiatives that will contribute to CU Denver's strategic vision of becoming internationally recognized for our research and creative work. The Department of Architecture is interested in applicants who are committed to engaging in teaching, research, and mentoring in diverse and inclusive settings.

About the Architecture Department
Located at the foot of the beautiful Rocky Mountains, CU Denver is the only accredited school of architecture in Colorado. Its faculty members are committed to the ethos of providing a broad-ranging public education and scholarship agenda to a diverse student body. Being in a major urban center within a beautiful, yet fragile ecosystem, with growing industries of sustainable technology, and an emerging art/cultural scene, provides a unique setting to research the most urgent challenges of our contemporary moment. The university engages nationally and internationally through initiatives that include the Colorado Building Workshop's design build initiatives, LoDo Lab experimental material research, global travel studios, and an extracurricular program of lectures, exhibitions and roundtables that brings renowned international speakers to the school.

The Department of Architecture's Statement of Purpose is: "Through design inquiry and making, we engage diverse perspectives in pursuit of an architecture open to all". As such, we seek candidates who will prioritize and advance these values largely through excellence in teaching and teaching related activities with a focus on the undergraduate architecture program. Our faculty and students are makers, global citizens, and advocates in a changing world that aligns with the evolving nature of collaborative and professional practice.

The Department of Architecture delivers a four-year pre-professional program (BS Arch), and a NAAB fully accredited Master of Architecture (M.Arch) for first professional degree students who hold either a non- preprofessional or preprofessional bachelor's degree and is housed in the College of Architecture and Planning.

College of Architecture and Planning
The architecture department is located within, the College of Architecture and Planning (CAP) that offers degrees in Landscape Architecture, Urban and Regional Planning, Historic Preservation, Urban Design, and a Ph.D. in Design, Geography and Planning. For more information visit: https://architectureandplanning.ucdenver.edu/.

Assistant Professor
What you will do:
Assistant Professor positions in the College of Architecture and Planning engage in teaching, research/creative work, and service. The percentages allocated are 40% teaching, 40% research/creative work, and 20% service. The standard academic year teaching load is two courses per semester.

Qualifications you already possess (Minimum Qualifications)
Applicants must meet minimum qualifications at the time of hire.

• Terminal degree in architecture or related fields (or international equivalent)
• Evidence of a strong teaching agenda relating to area of expertise
• Strong track record of publication and research funding potential in area of research and/or creative work

Preferred Qualification to possess (Preferred Qualifications)

• Professional license in architecture
• Ph.D. in architecture or a related field

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to communicate across various modalities.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• Contribute to a respectful, equitable, positive, and professional workplace.
• Commitment to enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion through research, teaching, and service.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees at all levels throughout the institution.

• Understanding of the needs of a diverse student population.

Conditions of Employment

• This position follows a hybrid work structure where employees can work remotely or from the office, as needed, based on demands of specific tasks or personal work preferences. Working from the office is encouraged when working on tasks that require a high degree of collaboration.

Mental, Physical, and/or Environmental Requirements

• The ability to sit for extended periods, stand and walk occasionally, reach with hands and arms, use hands to manipulate a keyboard and mouse, and have good near vision for computer work;often requiring minimal lifting, but may involve bending or reaching to retrieve items from shelves or drawers.

CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

The University will provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities throughout the employment application process. To request an accommodation pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact the Human Resources ADA Coordinator at workplaceengagement@ucdenver.edu .

Employment Sponsorship

While we are willing to consider visa sponsorship, we are unable to sponsor anyone whose H-1B petition would require an additional $100,000 payment as a condition of eligibility. We are also unable to support National Interest Exception requests. For additional information on the Presidential Proclamation on Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers, please refer to the USCIS website here: H-!B Specialty Occupation | USCIS.

Compensation and Benefits
The salary for this position has been established at $85,000.
The salary of the finalist(s) selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, experience, education, specialty, and training.
The above salary represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.
This position is not eligible for overtime compensation.
Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. The University of Colorado Denver provides generous leave, health plans and retirement contributions that add to your bottom line.
Benefits statement to include in all benefits-eligible positions. See Eligibility Matrix.
Benefits: https://www.cu.edu/employee-services/benefits
Total Compensation Calculator: http://www.cu.edu/node/153125

Application Deadline
Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Preference will be given to complete applications received by January 9, 2026. Those who do not apply by this date may or may not be considered.

Required Application Materials:
To apply, please visit: http://www.cu.edu/cu-careers and attach:

• A letter of interest (not to exceed 3 pages) which includes your:
  • Statement of research/creative work agenda and strategic plan for achieving it
  • Pedagogy and/or teaching philosophy
  • Service achievements and goals
• Curriculum vitae
• Portfolio of teaching and/or research/creative work (not to exceed 40 pages). The documents that may be uploaded to the application are limited to 2.5 MB. Please include a link to an external document if needed.
• Five professional references including name, address, phone number (mobile number if appropriate), and email address. (We will notify you prior to contacting both on and off-list references).

Questions should be directed to CAP Human Resources at cap.hr@ucdenver.edu.

Background Check Policy
The University of Colorado Denver strives to maintain a safe and productive educational, clinical, research and employment environment. All prospective employees and current employees must, therefore, consent to and pass background checks prior to any final appointment/employment.