Assistant Professor, Interior Design

Mount Royal University
January 16, 2025
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Job Title

Assistant Professor, Interior Design

Requisition #

998711

Job Type

Permanent

Union or Employee Group

MRFA

Classification

Academic

Position End Date (if applicable)

Location

MRU Main Campus - Calgary, AB T3E 6K6 CA (Primary)

Posting

About MRU

Founded in 1910 and located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Mount Royal University grew into a vibrant college in the 1930s and became a mid-sized university in 2009. Mount Royal has carved out a distinct niche by offering smaller class sizes, a robust liberal education and unique undergraduate programs. Currently, more than 15,000 credit students choose from 13 bachelor degrees and 38 majors.

Mount Royal University is situated on an ancient and storied land steeped in ceremony and history that, until recently, was occupied exclusively by people indigenous to this place. With gratitude and reciprocity, Mount Royal acknowledges the relationships to the land and all beings, and the songs, stories and teachings of the Siksika Nation, the Piikani Nation, the Kainai Nation, the Îethka Stoney Nakoda Nation (consisting of the Chiniki, Bearspaw and Goodstoney Nations), the people of the Tsuut'ina Nation, and the Métis.

Mount Royal University is committed to removing barriers and fostering the inclusion of voices that have been historically underrepresented or discouraged in our society. In support of our belief that diversity in our faculty and staff enriches the work, learning and research experiences for the entire campus community, we strongly encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply and self-identify.

About the Faculty of Arts

The Faculty of Arts is home to seven academic departments: Economics, General Education; Economics, Justice & Policy Studies; English, Languages & Cultures; Humanities; Interior Design; Psychology; and Sociology & Anthropology. Counselling is also part of the Faculty of Arts. This faculty currently offers Bachelors of Arts with these majors: Anthropology, Criminal Justice, English, History, Policy Studies, Psychology, Sociology, and a Bachelor of Interior Design.

About the Department of Interior Design

Building on its history at Mount Royal and its location in Calgary, the Department of Interior Design is passionately committed to design education. We value supportive learning, inclusiveness, and equity. The Department offers a four-year Bachelor of Interior Design (BID) degree that is accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA). This degree follows a highly integrated curriculum bringing together theory, research and practice to develop students' critical thinking skills, as they contemplate and solve real-world problems through ethical, human-centered, inclusive, integrated and sustainable design considerations. The program prepares students for entry- level interior design practice, for advanced study, and to apply for membership in professional interior design organizations. The BID also meets the educational requirement for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) Examination, enabling students to sit for the Fundamentals Exam (IDFX) portion upon graduation.

We welcome learners from diverse contexts who are drawn to the process of design and are motivated to improve the quality of life for people in the built environment. Our faculty are professional designers, interior designers, architects and scholars who are committed to innovative, interactive teaching approaches that engage and empower students to achieve their design potential. We value our sustained relationships with alumni who contribute to the larger community, the interior design profession, and the growth of our students.

Program Characteristics

The BID degree at Mount Royal is a distinctive, holistic, integrated program that consists of three core areas/streams of study (Design + Precedent, Systems, Design Tools) and Studio. The core areas establish a foundation in design related: knowledge, theory, research, problem-solving, collaboration, and professional practice as well as necessary manual and technological skills. Studio is where students apply the core area knowledge in the term through interactions with faculty and peers on project work. Course content is connected in each semester and is laddered in throughout the degree.

Design + Precedent establishes the theoretical and practical basis for understanding, researching and designing spaces through engaged design thinking and process. Design Tools establishes the oral, manual, technical and professional design knowledge, techniques and skills used to explore, express and communicate project work (e.g. sketching, drawing, construction documentation, graphics, and business). Systems elucidates the building systems necessary to construct human environments and include topics such as: structural principles; fundamental building systems (e.g. structures, lighting, acoustics, and HVAC); building codes, by-laws and regulations; sustainable design principles; and materials. Studio applies the knowledge and skills from the core areas of study in the semester through the Integration of design thinking and making. It also provides a studio area theme (e.g. space + experience, inhabitation, connectivity, the collective, context, transformations, investigations, and integration) in each semester that is explored through a series of projects and exercises where students experiment and practice their understanding of content taught in the core areas of study.

About the Role

The Department of Interior Design in the Faculty of Arts at Mount Royal University invites applications for one tenurable position at the rank of Assistant Professor, which will commence July 1, 2025, subject to final budgetary approval.

The successful candidate will teach various courses in the Bachelor of Interior Design, with an initial focus on Design & Precedent (design theory, materials, human factors) and Studio. Additional courses may include Tools (graphic communications and technology) and Systems (codes, standards, lighting, acoustics, construction detailing)

The successful applicant will have the following:

  • A minimum of a Master's degree in Interior Design (or related area). Preference will be given to candidates with an academic credential in Interior Design.

  • A minimum of 5 years experience in professional interior design practice (or related field).

  • Professional knowledge of, and experience with, interior design theory, colour and design, material specification, lighting, building codes, sustainable design, and a basic understanding of interior building systems.

  • Experience and familiarity across multiple areas of practice, including a broad range of project types and scales, and the ability to apply design knowledge to classroom and studio environments.

  • A demonstrated passion for design and a keen interest in engaging with students, colleagues and practitioners.

  • NCIDQ certification or the ability to achieve it within the first year of employment.

  • Currency and competency in relevant design software, such as AutoCAD, Adobe Creative Suite, REVIT, and SketchUp.

  • In addition, any of the following would be assets:

  • Teaching experience at the undergraduate level.

  • Certification in LEED AP and/or WELL Building Standards.

  • Experience in curriculum development, pedagogy and assessment (including creating lectures, learning activities and assignments).

  • Demonstrated commitment to enhancing equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility (EDIA).

  • Demonstrated knowledge and experience with non-Western design traditions, Indigenous ways of understanding space and land, and/or design for social agency.

  • Key faculty responsibilities include:

  • Teaching in one or more of the (lecture-based) core areas/streams of study such as Design + Precedent, Systems, and/or Design Tools. Collaborative teaching with full-time and contract faculty members in Studio courses.

  • Service to the department, faculty, institution and broader community through participation in committees and professional organizations. Guidance will be provided to the extent of this participation during the tenure process.

  • Research activities (if applicable for TSS candidates) that involve the rigorous, documented engagement with scholarly and/or professional activities (including practice-based research) that contribute to disciplinary knowledge, expertise and/or teaching.

  • Integrating design theory and design ideation processes within coursework to advance student understanding of the planning and construction of interior spaces, including a consideration of human factors, experiential conditions, building systems, finishes, and regulations.

  • Collaborating effectively with full-time and contract faculty members on curriculum development and program refinement.

  • Remaining current in areas of teaching responsibility and maintaining awareness of emerging trends in curricular areas related to design practice.

  • Mount Royal offers two work patterns for faculty, TS (Teaching-Service) for candidates with an interest in a teaching-focused position and TSS (Teaching-Scholarship-Service) for those who wish to teach and also conduct research related to the discipline. Teaching loads and (research) expectations vary depending on the selected work pattern. Candidates should indicate their preferred work pattern in their application.

    Applicants are encouraged to review the Bachelor of Interior Design information. For further information, contact Alan Antioquia, Chair of Interior Design ([email protected]).

    How to Apply

    Closing Date: The closing date for this position is January 16, 2025

    The selection committee will begin reviewing applications after the closing date and (only) short-listed candidates will be contacted. Interviews are expected to occur in February 2025.

    Interested applicants must submit the following materials using the “Apply to the Job” link below:

    In a single PDF include the following information in order:

  • Cover letter that describes the candidate's interest in the position, qualifications, and potential contributions to Mount Royal University

  • Current Curriculum Vitae (CV)

  • If the candidate is interested in the TSS (Teaching-Scholarship-Service) work pattern, include a 2-page Statement of Research Plans.

  • If the candidate has teaching experience, they may choose to provide evidence of this. Such evidence may include a teaching philosophy statement, course outlines/syllabi, sample student and/or peer/chair teaching evaluations, etc.

  • Professional portfolio (of a maximum 20 pages) that demonstrates the candidate's professional experience in Interior Design practice and provides evidence of relevant and related knowledge for this Assistant Professor Position.

  • What We Offer

    Talented and committed employees are the driving force behind student success. We strive to be an employer of choice among Canadian post-secondary institutions.

    At Mount Royal University, we recognize that people are a combination of many intersecting identities; we work to cultivate an environment that welcomes the whole person, and harnesses the strength that is available in our diversity, creating a rich and inclusive workplace.

    Investing in the learning and development of our employees benefits the individual and the University. A variety of services, resources and programs encourage a healthy, productive workplace. Mount Royal University offers a competitive total compensation package including health and dental benefits, pension, health and personal spending accounts, paid vacation, winter holiday closure, personal days and a free membership in our fully equipped recreation centre.

    Our campus offers the convenience of a full medical clinic, dentist and pharmacy, as well as a variety of wellness services such as physiotherapists and massage therapists. Campus Recreation offers many activities, including personal training, climbing, aquatics, sports and certifications for students, employees and the public.

    Academic reference letters are not required with the application, but as the competition progresses, candidates may be asked to provide three confidential references.

    Inquiries about this position may be directed to Alan Antioquia, Chair of the Department of Interior Design [email protected].

    All candidates are expected to follow the following naming convention for the single PDF submission document. Please title your .pdf document as follows: Last Name, Requisition Number, Portfolio.pdf (ex. Smith, 999999, Portfolio.pdf).

    If you require accommodation to participate in the recruitment process, please notify [email protected] and we will work together on your accommodation request.

    We thank all applicants for their interest. Only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted. After the close date, you can check on the status of your application through your Career Centre. New career opportunities arise frequently and are posted as they become available. Please check back often to view our latest postings on our Career Opportunities page. We encourage all qualified candidates to apply; however, Canadian citizens, permanent residents and others currently legally eligible to work in Canada will be given priority. Recent Mount Royal graduates who are foreign nationals may be eligible to work on campus. For more information, please refer to the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website under Post-Graduation Employment at https:// www. cic.gc.ca/english/study/index.asp.

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