The University of Oklahoma’s Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture is expanding to match the scale of its ambitions. Based in Norman, a lively college town within the Oklahoma City metropolitan area, which was recently ranked the “No. 1 Best Big City to Live In” by U.S. News & World Report, the Division of Architecture (DivA) is seeking up to three new faculty members to help shape the future of architectural education and practice. These positions are part of OU’s university-wide trajectory to join the nation’s top public research institutions, fueled by growth in faculty excellence, research innovation, and cross-sector partnerships.

We invite applications for 9-month, full-time, open-rank (Assistant, Associate, and/or Full Professor) tenure-track or tenured positions beginning in August 2026. Review of applications will begin on October 20, 2025, and continue until the positions are filled.

Who We’re Looking For

We seek educators and practitioners whose teaching and research drive architectural ideas forward. Applicants should demonstrate strong professional experience and/or a clear research trajectory that contributes to contemporary architectural discourse. Candidates will join a faculty known for its experimental spirit and its legacy of the American School of Architecture (https://architecture.ou.edu/the-american-school/). They will play an active role in design studios, seminars, and lecture courses across our NAAB-accredited undergraduate and graduate programs.

Our Community

Faculty in the Division of Architecture foster a culture that connects design education with discovery and impact. Their pacesetting work addresses issues such as housing affordability, resilience to severe weather, and neuroscience in relation to the built environment. Through the Institute for Quality Communities, faculty and students partner with communities across Oklahoma to shape civic life through design. Annual travel study in Rome, complemented by domestic travel programs, broadens students’ perspectives and deepens their design education through experiential learning. An award-winning Design+Build program and strong results in national student competitions, often in partnership with OU Construction Science, underscore our commitment to hands-on learning. The nationally recognized student journal Telesis reflects a tradition of intellectual creativity and rigor that extends beyond the classroom.

Areas of Emphasis

These positions are broadly open, welcoming a range of research and teaching agendas. The following areas represent particular opportunities where new faculty may make an impact:

Foundation Design Pedagogy
Design + Build practices
Architectural History, Theory, and Criticism

Additional areas of interest include:

Building and energy technology
Digital representation and fabrication
Artificial intelligence and machine learning

How Faculty Contribute

Faculty in the Division of Architecture play an active role in shaping a culture of creativity and impact. This includes:

Bringing energy and innovation to teaching across studios, seminars, and lectures
Advancing scholarly and creative work through recognized venues
Contributing to the life of the division, college, and university through shared governance
Engaging with the profession and the public through meaningful service and outreach

What We Offer

The Division of Architecture and Gibbs College provides robust faculty support through:

Mentorship programs
Research and travel funds
Teaching and research assistants, supported by the Gibbs Endowment and other resources

About the Division of Architecture and the Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture

The Division of Architecture (DivA) at the University of Oklahoma has a legacy of experimentation that began with Bruce Goff’s leadership in the mid-20th century and continues today in a culture of creativity and impact. Faculty and students pursue work that links design education to urgent challenges, from housing and severe weather resilience to neuroscience and the built environment. Through initiatives like the Institute for Quality Communities, an award-winning Design+Build program, and an annual travel study experience in Rome, DivA emphasizes learning through engagement and discovery. The nationally recognized student journal, Telesis, as well as a record of success in student competitions reflect the intellectual and creative vitality of the program.

The Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture brings together more than 1,100 students across seven disciplines: Architecture, Construction Science, Environmental Design, Interior Design, Landscape Architecture, Regional and City Planning, and Urban Design. The College serves as a hub for interdisciplinary collaboration and public impact, hosting the national Placemaking Conference and supporting community partnerships across Oklahoma. Learn more at architecture.ou.edu/architecture.

About the University of Oklahoma

Founded in 1890, the University of Oklahoma (OU) is a Carnegie R1 Institution with $416.6 million in annual research expenditures and more than 34,000 students across three campuses in Norman, Oklahoma City, and Tulsa. OU is advancing an ambitious vision to shape the future through discovery, creativity, and innovation, as outlined in the Lead On, University Strategic Plan (https://ou.edu/leadon/strategic-plan).

Norman offers the atmosphere of a vibrant college town within the Oklahoma City metropolitan area. The region combines affordability with cultural vitality, strong K–12 schools, and nationally recognized works of architecture and landscape architecture. Home to the 2025 NBA champions and a host site for events during the 2028 Olympics, Oklahoma City reflects a growing international profile. Oklahoma’s 39 Native Nations shape a context where faculty and students engage in collaborative work that links design to place, culture, and community.

Visit https://ou.edu/facultyrecruitment for more information about what OU and the local communities have to offer.

Salary Range

Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Search Committee Chairperson

Inquiries shall be directed to Associate Prof. Paolo Sanza, RA, at paolo.sanza@ou.edu

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

A minimum of a master’s degree (or equivalent) in architecture or related fields
Evidence of ability to successfully teach architecture studios, seminars, and/or lecture courses
Evidence or emerging research record of peer-reviewed creative and/or scholarly productivity
Demonstrated ability to contribute to a collegial and collaborative working environment, in addition to possessing effective communication and interpersonal skills

Application Instructions

Applicants shall submit the following materials as PDF documents via Interfolio

Cover letter
Statement of interest outlining in two to three pages the applicant’s experience, pedagogical approach, research and/or practice agenda
Current Curriculum Vitae
Full contact information for minimum three academic/professional references
Digital portfolio that provides evidence of 1) creative and/or scholarly activity and 2) efficacy in teaching with examples of student work if applicable. Digital submission size should not exceed 100MB.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The University, in compliance with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, genetic information, gender identity/expression (consistent with applicable law), age (40 or older), religion, disability, political beliefs, or status as a veteran in any of its policies, practices, or procedures. This includes but is not limited to admissions, employment, housing, financial aid, and educational services.

Why You Belong at the University of Oklahoma

The University of Oklahoma values our community's unique talents, perspectives, and experiences. At OU, we aspire to harness our innovation, creativity, and collaboration for the advancement of people everywhere. You Belong Here!

Mission of the University of Oklahoma

The Mission of the University of Oklahoma is to provide the best possible educational experience for our students through excellence in teaching, research and creative activity, and service to the state and society.

University of Oklahoma

New Jobs

Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture: Open Rank Professor of Architecture