Assistant Professor, Architecture History, Theory and Criticism

The Virginia Tech School of Architecture, based in the College of Architecture, Arts, and Design, invites applications for a Tenure Track – Assistant Professor position with a concentration in History, Theory and Criticism to teach both in our two research-based, non-professional graduate degrees in architecture, the Master of Science in Architecture program (M.S.Arch) and the Doctoral Program (Ph.D.), and in our three professional undergraduate and graduate degree programs (B.Arch, M.Arch 2 and M.Arch 3).

The School of Architecture is at an exciting juncture, developing history, theory and criticism concentrations within our M.S.Arch and Ph.D. degrees in Blacksburg. The successful candidate will both support this development through teaching methods courses and offer advanced undergraduate and graduate seminars that support our architecture degrees. Candidates for the position should therefore demonstrate a strong commitment to both non-professional, research-based education and professional education in architecture. They should be able to evidence the rigor and depth of their historical research through a record of recognized scholarship. They should be able to show their experience and understanding of doctoral education and program development. They should be able to display an erudite and historically informed approach to the teaching of methods courses. And they should be able to demonstrate their theoretical, disciplinary and critical engagement with contemporary architecture.

The College of Architecture, Arts, and Design at Virginia Tech, a land-grant university, affirms a collective responsibility to encourage, build, and embrace the cultural diversity of the world. We do this by acknowledging and addressing our past, recognizing our current responsibility, and acting in the interests of building and sustaining communities that are safe, supportive, and inclusive for all. We are committed to continually and proactively engaging in these efforts for the benefit of our students, staff, and faculty across the college, and the communities around the world we aim to serve, hence the University’s motto: Ut Prosim.

The School of Architecture emphasizes learning through making as well as experimentation, plus disciplinary and professional engagement combined with cross-disciplinary outreach to develop future architects who will holistically integrate diverse ideas while adeptly responding to constantly shifting challenges within the profession of architecture. The School is large, with campuses in Blacksburg, Washington-Alexandria and Riva San Vitale, city labs in Chicago and Boston, and study abroad programs throughout Europe, as well as many degree programs and research centers.

This position is based at Virginia Tech’s campus in Blacksburg, Virginia and is a full-time nine-month appointment with an anticipated start date of August 2026.

• PhD in architecture in the area of history, theory, and criticism
• A professional degree in architecture (B.Arch or M.Arch or equivalent)
• A demonstrated record of academic, scholarly, and/or professional accomplishments.
• A record of teaching history, theory, and criticism courses.
• Evidence of critical engagement with contemporary architecture.

For full consideration, interested applicants are required to submit the following:

• Cover letter addressing research and teaching;
• Curriculum Vitae;
• Contact information for three references;
• Writing Samples consisting of the three most important publications demonstrating both the candidate’s historical scholarship and their engagement with contemporary architecture (formatted into a single pdf document no larger than 10mb); and
• A one-page personal statement of teaching philosophy including the candidate's ideas for supporting an educational environment consistent with the Virginia Tech Principles of Community.

Exempt: Not eligible for overtime

Regular

Salary range is $80,000-90,000 per year

40+, evenings & weekends as needed

January 5, 2026

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including Blacksburg, the greater Washington, D.C. area, the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke, sites in Newport News and Richmond, and numerous Extension offices and research institutes. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually.

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