Assistant and / or Associate Professor of Environmental Design

Assistant and / or Associate Professor of Environmental Design

Job Summary : The Department of Environmental Design (ENVD) at the University of Colorado Boulder is excited to announce two full‑time, tenure‑track faculty positions : one at the Assistant Professor level and the other at either the Assistant or Tenured Associate Professor level, with appointments beginning in Fall 2026. Environmental Design (ENVD) is an interdisciplinary department positioned at the intersection of architecture, landscape architecture, environmental product design, and sustainable planning and urban design. We seek candidates whose work flourishes across these boundaries—innovators who bring fresh, integrative approaches to environmental design. Ideal candidates will demonstrate the potential for nationally and internationally recognized contributions through scholarship, creative practice, exhibitions, community engagement, or other forms of impactful work. 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.

Who We Are

For more than 50 years, ENVD has cultivated designers, thinkers, and planners who work across scales—from large‑scale regional planning to landscape ecology and more recently, environmental product design. Part of the newly expanded College of Communication, Media, Design and Information, ENVD stands at an exciting moment of growth. This new affiliation expands opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration across design, technology, media, and communication. Faculty in ENVD are expected to contribute to the teaching of studio, seminar, and lecture courses, supporting and enriching the program’s core curriculum while introducing advanced studios and seminars that reflect their research interests and creative practice. The College of Communication, Media, Design and Information (CMDI) is at the forefront of the revolution in communication, digital technology, and design. CMDI prides itself on offering students an interdisciplinary education with a focus on innovation and creativity! Our students and faculty from seven departments think across boundaries, innovate around emerging problems and create culture that transcends convention.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

Tenure‑track faculty in ENVD are expected to maintain an active research or creative practice agenda while contributing to teaching and service at all levels of the curriculum. The workload includes :

Teaching (40%) : Teach four courses per academic year, including a mix of studios, lectures, and seminars. Faculty are expected to contribute to and strengthen the undergraduate curriculum while developing advanced seminars or studios that align with their expertise and research interests.

Research / Creative Work (40%) : Maintain an active and visible portfolio of research or creative work, demonstrated through exhibitions, publications, grants, awards, and other forms of peer‑reviewed recognition. Candidates should show potential for meaningful societal and environmental impact and to disseminate their work at regional, national, and international levels.

Service (20%) : Participate actively in departmental and college governance, serve on committees, and contribute to service activities at the college, campus, community, and professional levels—locally, nationally, and internationally.

Faculty are also expected to mentor students, enhance undergraduate scholarly and creative endeavors, and prepare them for careers in both established and emerging fields of design and practice. We are currently developing a Master’s program in Environmental Design to further advance our mission, and we welcome new faculty who are eager to help shape this next chapter of academic innovation. ENVD also benefits from an active and engaged alumni network—professionals and leaders across the globe who remain deeply connected to our values and community. As part of CU Boulder, a globally recognized research institution, ENVD faculty have access to partnerships with leading institutes and foundations—locally, nationally, and internationally—that address some of today’s most pressing social and environmental challenges.

What You Should Know

New H1B Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. The University of Colorado Boulder has implemented a reference check program with respect to final candidates for tenured faculty appointments. The reference check program is intended to allow CU Boulder to collect and review information about a candidate’s conduct at their current and previous institutions, specifically conduct related to sexual misconduct, harassment, and / or discrimination – before making hiring decisions. All final candidates for tenured faculty appointments are required to complete an Authorization to Release Information.

What We Can Offer

The positions are 9‑month / 100% full‑time equivalent with competitive salary ranges (Associate Professor – $100,000 – $115,000; Assistant Professor – $80,000 – $90,000). Startup funding packages are available as specified by the needs to advance the applicant’s research and creative work. The University of Colorado offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefit and ECO Pass. The University of Colorado Boulder is one of the largest employers in Boulder County and offers an inspiring higher education environment.

Benefits

At the University of Colorado Boulder, we are committed to supporting the holistic health and well‑being of our employees. Our comprehensive benefits package includes medical, dental, and retirement plans; generous paid time off; tuition assistance for you and your dependents; and an ECO Pass for local transit. As one of Boulder County’s largest employers, CU Boulder offers an inspiring academic community and access to world‑class outdoor recreation. Explore additional perks and programs through the CU Advantage program.

Be Statements

Be impactful. Be visionary. Be Boulder.

What We Require

Applicants must possess an advanced terminal degree (e.g., Terminal Master’s and / or PhD) in a design related, or allied, field and have 2 years’ experience teaching design studios at the post‑secondary education level.

Applicants to the Associate Professor position must additionally possess tenure at their current institution or have a record of scholarly / creative work, teaching, and leadership / service that would satisfy the Department of ENVD criteria and the University of Colorado standards for tenure upon hire.

What You Will Need

Demonstrated teaching excellence in areas related to environmental design and emerging technologies.

Proven ability—or strong potential—to secure external research funding.

What We Would Like You to Have

Demonstrated record and capacity for academic service leadership.

Evidence of advancing academic knowledge or professional practice in environmental design through research, scholarship, or creative work.

Special Instructions

To apply, please submit the following materials in PDF format :

A cover letter indicating the position to which you’re applying, Assistant or Tenured Associate Professor, your excitement for this specific position and which clearly articulates how your background and skills will elevate ENVD to new heights (max 2 pages).

Curriculum Vitae indicating your publications, exhibits, grants, awards, professional experience, community and academic service and credentials.

Research Statement describing the nature of your contributions, how they impact society, are of high quality and / or hold high potential for future funding (max 2 pages).

Statement of Teaching Vision and Philosophy describing your teaching vision and philosophy (max 1 page).

Research Portfolio; Please submit up to 3 examples of research and creative work (uploaded as 1 PDF).

Teaching Portfolio : Please include syllabi, student work, teaching examples, course evaluations, and any other relevant material (max 20 pages).

All files must be converted to PDF format. During the application process, you will need to enter contact information for three (3) references. We may request confidential letters of recommendation at a later time. This information will be kept confidential and viewable only by the search committee. If you are selected as the finalist, your degree will be verified by the CU Boulder Campus Human Resources department using an approved online vendor. If your degree was obtained outside of the United States, please submit a translated version as an optional attachment.

Please apply by January 6, 2026 for full consideration. The position will remain open until filled.

If you have questions, please contact search chair, Professor Kevin Krizek at krizek@colorado.edu .

Additional Info

Organization / School : University of Colorado Boulder

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