Faculty Positions for the School of Architecture & Design

Open Department Head and Faculty Positions in the School of Architecture and Design

The School of Architecture and Design (SA+D) at the American University of Sharjah seeks qualified scholars to assume leadership of its Department of Architecture and Department of Design as Department Heads. The School also anticipates filling a limited number of open faculty positions in these Departments and Master of Urban Planning Program on rolling-contract track for the 2008-2009 Academic Year. Individuals who have an interest in and qualifications to teach “beginning design” in the School’s first-year Foundations, which is the common year of studies all undergraduates follow, are especially encouraged to apply for the open faculty positions in the two Departments. 

SA+D has five undergraduate curricula leading to degrees in Architecture and  Interior Design in the Department of Architecture, and Visual Communication, Multi Media Design, and Design Management in the Department of Design. The curriculum in all programs is based on the North American model where undergraduate curricula integrate liberal studies with professional education. All undergraduate students begin their first year studies in the School’s highly effective Foundations Program run by faculty in its Architecture and Design Departments. In the upper years, design studios form the core of the undergraduate programs. School’s sole graduate curriculum is also modeled after similar professionally accredited studies in the US. The School has well-equipped facilities, including digital design studios, on par with schools in North America and attracts a diverse group of top students from leading high schools in the Gulf region.

After establishing a regional reputation and a record of success, SA+D is conducting these searches for highly qualified faculty colleagues who will be expected to contribute to the efforts to further the School’s mission of “providing a comprehensive education that will enable its graduates to make significant contributions to the Gulf region and the broader global community through conscientious participation in practice.” The next milestone in the School’s progress from foundation to maturity is to secure professional accreditation of the undergraduate degrees it offers.

American University of Sharjah is a leading comprehensive coeducational university in the Gulf, serving students from the United Arab Emirates and neighboring countries in the region and around the world. The Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools has accredited AUS in 2004. In addition to the School of Architecture and Design, College of Arts and Sciences, College of Engineering, and School of Business and management are the constituent academic units of the University. AUS is fully committed to equal opportunity at all levels without discrimination on the basis of race, gender, religion, age, family status, or national origin. In addition, discrimination is prohibited on any other basis prohibited by law that applies to the faculty member’s employment at the University.

A terminal degree appropriate to applicants’ discipline is required.  Previous experience with the North American model of studio-based design education will be a criteria used in the reviews of applications. All positions require the ability to integrate digital capabilities as a key component of the design process. Successful applicants will be expected to teach design studios and lecture/seminar courses; mentor students through an established advising process; engage in scholarship by conducting research, pursuing creative work/practice, or providing professional consulting; and participate in service activities for the School, University and the community.

A more detailed descriptions of vacancies including how to submit an application are outlined below.

Head of the Department of Architecture
The School of Architecture and Design seeks an individual with strong scholarly and leadership abilities to serve as Head of the Department of Architecture starting August 2008. The appointment will be at the rank of Associate or Full Professor. Salary and benefits for this position, to be negotiated, will be competitive and attractive.
Applicants must hold a terminal degree in architecture, interior design, or a related field. The ideal candidate should have demonstrated excellence in teaching, scholarly or professional work, and service. The candidate must also have recognized administrative experience, demonstrated leadership qualities, and excellent communication skills. Preference will be given to applicants who have academic and/or administrative experience with the North American model of studio-based architectural education.
Comprising 16 faculty and 300 students, the Department of Architecture currently offers a five-year Bachelor of Architecture and a four-year Bachelor of Interior Design degrees. Efforts are underway to convert the Interior Design degree to a five-year Bachelor of Interior Architecture degree. Efforts are underway to secure candidacy status for accreditation of the Bachelor of Architecture curriculum by the National Architectural Accrediting Board in the United States.
Applicants must send a letter of interest, curriculum vitae, and three references (with e-mail addresses) attached in an e-mail to ARCHeadSearch@aus.edu. Applications by mail or fax will not be accepted.
The Search Committee will review applications beginning January 20, 2008, and could call for additional materials. A shortlist of candidates will be interviewed by phone in the middle of February, 2008. Finalists will be interviewed in person in the United States by the Dean of the School in March or April, 2008, and must be prepared to also attend an interview in Sharjah. Please direct any particular inquiries about this search process to the Chair of the Search Committee, Dr. Varkki Pallathucheril, via e-mail to vpallathucheril@aus.edu.

Head of the Department of Design
The School of Architecture and Design at the American University of Sharjah invites applications and nominations for the position of Department Head for the Department of Design comprised of twelve full-time faculty and over 200 students.  The School seeks to build upon the strengths of its programs in Visual Communication, Multimedia, and Design Management with the appointment of a Department Head who has a demonstrated record of success.

Applicants must hold a terminal degree in a design field.  The ideal candidate should demonstrate evidence of excellence in teaching, scholarly work and/or professional practice, and service.  In addition, the candidate must have a recognized administrative experience, demonstrated leadership qualities, and excellent communication skills to establish and maintain constructive working relationships with faculty, students, alumni, and the professional community.  Preference will be given to applicants who have academic and/or administrative experience with the North American model of studio-based architecture and design education. 

The appointment will be at the rank of Associate or Full Professor.  The successful candidate is expected to assume duties beginning late August 2008 for the 2008-2009 academic year.
The Search Committee will begin reviewing applications immediately. The position will remain open until filled.

Applicants must send digital copies of a letter of interest, curriculum vitae, and contact information (including e-mail address) of at least three references to desheadsearch@aus.edu. Application material must be packaged in a single PDF file clearly labeled with the applicant's name.

Faculty Positions in Department of Architecture

The Department of Architecture of the School of Architecture and Design, at the American University of Sharjah, seeks qualified candidates for a limited number of faculty positions its Department of Architecture in all academic ranks beginning Fall 2008.

The Department of Architecture offers a five-year Bachelor of Architecture and a four-year Bachelor of Interior Design degree, which is currently being transitioned to a five-year Interior Architecture program. It is an Affiliate Member of the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA). 
 
Applicants are expected to have earned a terminal degree appropriate to their field. Successful applicants will be expected to teach undergraduate design studios and lecture/seminar courses; contribute to courses in design, drawing and digital media in the interdisciplinary design Foundations level, which is the first year of study for students seeking to enter degree programs in architecture, interior design, visual communication, multimedia design and design management; mentor students through an established advising process; conduct research and engage in scholarship and/or creative practice; and participate in service activities. Applicants having previous experience of North American model of studio-based design education will be preferred.

Position 1 – History and Theory:
The successful candidate will teach undergraduate courses in art and architectural history as well as in theory and criticism, social and cultural processes in architecture. Teaching experience and ability to conduct lecture courses is required. The candidate must have strong evidence of scholarly potential, and demonstrate a record of scholarly excellence. A Ph.D. is required. Preference will be given to candidates who demonstrate ability to integrate theoretical and historical investigations in the studio environment.

Position 2 – Building and Environmental Technologies:
The successful candidate will teach courses in the area of building technology, have the ability to teach comprehensive design studio, stress the synthesis of structures, construction and architecture in their pedagogy, and have a strong emphasis in integrating building technology principles into the design studio. Expertise in structures, environmental and building systems, innovative practices in sustainable process and material, is preferred. A terminal degree in architecture or interior architecture is required. The ideal candidate will demonstrate potential for excellence in sustainable design and research and focus integration of design with contemporary ecological/sustainable practices.

Position 3 – Interior Architecture:
The successful candidate will teach interior design studios as well as supporting interior related courses in the curriculum. Expertise in one or more areas within the subject area curriculum including: interior design history and theory, interior detailing and construction documents, construction materials and methods, color and lighting theory, and furniture design, is required. A terminal degree in architecture or interior architecture is required. Professional experience in Interior Architecture and licensure is preferred.

Position 4 (one year visiting) – Landscape and Urban Design:
The successful candidate will teach both lower and upper level architectural design studios and lecture or seminar courses in landscape architecture at the undergraduate and graduate levels, with emphasis on sustainable and environmental urban design. A terminal degree in architecture or landscape architecture is required. Candidates should demonstrate potential for excellence in landscape architecture and urban design or emerging field of landscape urbanism research.

Position 5 (one year visiting) –Professional Practice and Sustainability:
The successful candidate will teach courses in the area of professional practice including but is not limited to, methods and procedures of the profession, project management, and the legal and business aspects of practice. Areas of additional expertise must include architectural design, sustainable development strategies, construction systems, and life cycle design management. A terminal degree in architecture or interior architecture is required. The ideal candidate should be able to contribute to design studio with an emphasis on comprehensive design. Proven demonstration and experience in teaching and practice is required.

To Apply

Interested candidates should send a letter of interest, curriculum vitae, statement of pedagogical and research objectives, ten samples of student and professional work each, and contact information (including e-mail address) of at least three references. All required material should be compiled in a single (small PDF) file; any material that does not conform to the requirements will not be reviewed. Application material must be sent in digital format before January 20, 2008, to arcsearch@aus.edu

Please direct any particular inquiries about this search to the Chair of the Architecture Search Committee, Prof. Mehdi Sabet, AIA, via sabet@aus.edu. More details are available at http://www.aus.edu/employment/faculty_arcdes.php.

Faculty Positions in Department of Design

School of Architecture and Design is seeking applications for faculty positions in its Department of Design beginning in 2008 Fall semester.

The Department of Design offers Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research accredited undergraduate degrees in Design Management, Multimedia Design, and Visual Communication. Design studios form the core of the Visual Communication and Multimedia programs.

Applicants should have previous experience with the North American model of studio-based design education, professional experience, a terminal degree appropriate to their field and show evidence of a commitment to excellence in teaching. Successful applicants will be expected to teach undergraduate design studios, lecture/seminar courses and contribute to courses in design, drawing and digital media in the interdisciplinary Foundations Program (the first year of study for students seeking to enter degree programs in all the schools programs). Other responsibilities include: mentor students through an established advising process; conduct research, engage in scholarship/creative practice; participate in service activities on department, school and university level.

Applicants for the following positions will be considered:

Position 1 – Multimedia Design
The Multimedia Design program is in the process of enriching existing offerings in the fields of Interactive media, Animation, and Film and Video, informed by a core curriculum that explores design as a process.

Applicants should be able to teach in a specified Multi Media Design area and contribute to core studios that integrate students from the Visual Communication and Multi Media Design programs.
 
Work should indicate awareness of social and cultural contexts of multimedia design as well as a commitment to interdisciplinary and collaborative approaches to practice.

Position 2 – Design Management
The Design management program requires specialist faculty to teach the applications of design in the context of business practices and conversely, the influence of business in the design process.

Applicants should be able to demonstrate both an understanding of the business of design and have a keen creative sensibility.

To Apply

Applicants should submit the following by e-mail in a digital PDF format: a letter of application including a statement of artistic, research and teaching philosophy; visual documentation of current work (e.g.: in a PDF format of a maximum of 10 images and/or URL); detailed CV; and three names of reference.

The application should be submitted to: DesSearch@aus.edu

Application material must be packaged in a single PDF file and/or URL clearly labeled with the applicant's name.

The Search Committee will begin reviewing applications from November 11th 2007. Positions are open until filled.

Faculty Position in Master of Urban Planning Program
 
The School of Architecture and Design (SA+D) at the American University of Sharjah (AUS) seeks qualified candidates to fill an open faculty position on rolling contract track (AUS alternative to tenure in US universities) in its Master of Urban Planning (MUP) Program, which offers the School’s only graduate degree. Candidates with research and teaching interests in environmental planning and/or sustainable urban systems planning are particularly encouraged to apply, as are those who can contribute to our undergraduate course offerings in architecture, landscape architecture, or urban design. Rank for this position is open.

The successful candidate will hold a Ph.D. in Urban Planning or a closely related field and will have North American teaching, research, and/or professional experience. ABD candidates who anticipate earning their Ph.D. degree before August 2008 are welcome to apply. The MUP program offers a professional master’s degree in urban planning modeled on PAB-accredited planning programs in North America. There are two concentrations currently available to MUP students, one in “design of the built environment”, offered in conjunction with the Architecture Department, the other in “urban transportation planning”, offered in conjunction with the Civil Engineering Department. For more information on the MUP program, follow this link: http://www.aus.edu/programs/mup/index.php.

TO APPLY: all applicants should submit a detailed letter of interest, a copy of their current curriculum vitae, and the names and contact details of three or more professional references (at least two of which are academic) to the following e-mail address: MUPsearch@aus.edu. Electronic submissions ONLY will be accepted. The Search Committee will begin reviewing applications on December 1, 2007. Applicants may be asked to submit additional information, and to participate in telephone and/or personal interviews at venues to be named later. The position will remain open until filled.