Ranked ASSISTANT/ASSOCIATE/ or FULL TEACHING PROFESSOR of ARCHITECTURE / UMKC School of Science & Engineering / Natural & Built Environment Division

UNIVERSITY of MISSOURI-KANSAS CITY

SCHOOL of SCIENCE and ENGINEERING

Division of Natural and Built Environment / Architecture

UMKC is a public research university located in Kansas City, Missouri, known for its urban setting and a wide range of nationally-ranked academic programs. It is a Carnegie R1 classified research institution, meaning it's among the top research universities in the United States. UMKC has a strong focus on community impact, professional connections, multiplicity, and it is nationally recognized for its support of first-generation college students.

The School of Science and Engineering, is the largest school at UMKC and it is made up of four Divisions. The Natural and Built Environment is a Division is composed of the disciplines of Architecture, Civil Engineering, Geosciences, Environmental Science, and Urban Planning & Design. UMKC has had an Architectural studies program for the past 38 years. The new Bachelor of Architecture degree program was recently approved by the University of Missouri Board of Curators as the first public Architecture program in the state of Missouri. The first Bachelor of Architecture cohort started in the Fall 2024 and the program will continue to grow each year. Kansas City is home to many large, medium and small architecture firms. This new program will be fully integrated with the local firms through adjunct faculty, guest-lecturers, internships, hiring, and research.

The Division of the Natural and Built Environment within the School of Science and Engineering at the University of Missouri-Kansas City invites applications and nominations for a non-tenure track faculty position in Architecture. The position could be at the rank of Assistant, Associate or Full Teaching Professor with a 9-month faculty contract starting in the Fall of 2026. As a new degree at UMKC, the successful candidate for this position will be part of building an accredited 5-year Bachelor of Architecture program.

Qualified candidates should have either an established research portfolio or a commitment to innovative, traditional and technology-driven teaching. In addition they will need the capability of interacting with the local firms and alumni. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to participate in developing curricular advancements, technology infrastructure, civic engagement, and professional interactions that will lead to national accreditation. Funding, community excitement, and student interest are at a high, which will move the academic program swiftly to accreditation.

Areas of Expertise:

The ideal candidate will possess academic experience with a background in studio instruction, studio pedagogy, digital and/or building technology. Candidates should demonstrate areas of expertise which may include, architectural graphics, visualization, traditional and digital design, building systems, technology, structural systems, sustainable design and design+build. This is a rare opportunity to build a new and unique program. The successful candidate's role will be crucial in shaping the curriculum, ensuring that students gain a comprehensive and thoughtful education in architecture.

All candidates must hold one of the following:

• Professional graduate degree in architecture.
• Professional undergraduate degree in architecture and a graduate or doctoral degree.

For Associate Non-tenure track Teaching Professor or Full Non-tenure track Teaching Professor consideration:

• Candidates must also be a licensed architect, US or International.
• Candidates must also have at least five years of experience for an associate teaching professor candidate and beyond five years for a full teaching professor candidate in an academic appointment at the rank of Assistant or Associate Teaching Professor.
• Candidates must also demonstrate that they work well with colleagues and students in performing their university responsibilities at their previous institutions or workplace.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience or capacity for integrating emerging technologies with studio, seminar and/or lecture teaching.
• Experience with or ability to implement experimental teaching in terms of modality, methodology, and/or format.
• Experience with or aptitude for teaching experiential, collaborative and/or interdisciplinary courses.
• Experience with of architectural design that strives for impact on culture, society, communities, regions, and the planet.
• Experience in a creative practice that participates in the discipline of architecture through critique, experimentation or other means.
• Experience that exhibits exceptional professional practice integrating beauty, equity, resilience, and environmental performance.
• Experience with focusing on student success, student empowerment, and the development of wide-ranging cultures within studio and classroom settings.
• Experience with facilitating or teaching others about identifying and addressing hurdles to access to the built environment and/or the profession of architecture.

Experience through a practice or scholarship that engages and makes accessible content, cultures, and bodies of knowledge from historically restrained communities, geographies, and local cultures.

Salary is commensurate with qualifications, experience, and rank.

For consideration, you must complete the name and contact information on the online application at Careers - Human Resources | University of Missouri-Kansas City, click on Academic Position Job Opening ID 58322.

Please combine all required application materials into one PDF or Microsoft Word document and upload it as a resume attachment. Limit the document name to 50 characters. Do not include special characters (e.g., /, &, %, etc.) in the document name. The maximum file size is 11 MB.

Application Materials:

• A cover letter that provides applicable experience and credentials that qualify you for a teaching faculty position.
• A complete curriculum vitae showing past positions, important contributions, and impact.
• A design portfolio must be provided illustrating the applicant's design work, and if applicable research work.
• The names and current contact information for three people who can provide letters of professional recommendation. We will contact references and request educational transcripts for applicants who progress to the finalist stage.

Information and Accommodations:

• Please direct all inquiries and correspondence to Sarah Beth Schulz, Executive Assistant to the Dean of School of Science and Engineering. schulzsb@umkc.edu
• If you are experiencing technical problems during the application process, please email: umpshrsupport@umsystem.edu
• Reasonable accommodations may be requested during the application and recruitment process. If you need an accommodation, please contact the Office of Equity & Title IX at (816) 235-1771.

Applications will be reviewed upon receipt and accepted until a qualified candidate is hired.

About UMKC Architecture:
The Architecture program is part of a multidisciplinary environment that includes construction, structural engineering, environmental science, urban planning, and more. The goal is for our students to have a chance of interacting with other students and faculty in complimentary disciplines, such as construction materials and management or urban planning. the Natural and Built Environment stresses the power of design and the importance of the built world.
The faculty members in the Natural and Built Environment and specifically the architecture disciplines are committed to excellence in design education, creative activity, research, and outreach missions. This program benefits from the strength of the School of Science and Engineering, UMKC as an R1 Institution and the support of the Kansas City community.

Kansas City's architecture firms are diverse, ranging from large, full-service companies to specialized, small studios. They work across various sectors, including residential, commercial, healthcare, and sports. Key themes include an emphasis on sustainability, user-focused design, adaptive reuse, and integrated services like interior design and engineering. The city provides tremendous access to jobs, internships, real-life projects and practicing mentors and adjuncts.

Currently, the architecture, urban planning and design programs are housed in Katz Hall, which is a dedicated 32,800 ft2 building. They also have access to the 20,000 ft2 3D printing lab, student wood/metal fabrication equipment, and the augmented reality and virtual reality laboratory. These labs have over $4 million in equipment allowing our students to integrate state-of-the-art fabrication technology into their design education and research.

About UMKC:
UMKC is a public, urban, research university with more than 13,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. SSE currently has an enrollment of more than 3,500 students, undergraduate and graduate. UMKC, is part of the larger University of Missouri System. Our university is committed to being a model urban university that is recognized for our partnerships with multifarious communities to effectively foster a healthy, safe, and more economically secure life. UMKC plays a critical role in the region's health, business, and defense, and workforce development. https://www.umkc.edu/

Kansas City is a City on the Rise. Big city life and Midwest charm, Kansas City offers the best of both worlds - a vibrant, urban community with midwestern appeal and an affordable cost of living. Kansas City, with a population of more than 2.4 million, is one of the most entrepreneurial cities in America and is amongst the top five cities with the largest concentration of engineers, scientists and architects in the USA. Our UMKC campus is centered in the hub of business activity, cultural arts, and health science research engagement. Our community boasts championship professional athletic teams, a new international airport, and a rich history of music and performing arts. Our beautiful state provides rivers, lakes, biking/hiking trails and mountains for outdoor enthusiasts, all within an easy drive. https://www.visitkc.com/

This position is eligible for University benefits. As part of your total compensation, the University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement, and educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses. For additional information on University benefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at https://www.umsystem.edu/totalrewards/benefits.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of Missouri is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

To request ADA accommodations, please call the Office of Equity & Title IX at 816-235-6910.