Visiting Assistant Professor in Architecture – Structural Design, College of Architecture, Design and Engineering (CADE), Thomas Jefferson University

Thomas Jefferson University • Philadelphia, PA

56d • Onsite

About The Position

The Department of Architecture at Thomas Jefferson University, together with the College of Architecture, Design and Engineering (CADE), invites applications for a full-time, 9-month, Visiting Assistant Professor in structural design beginning in Fall 2026. This is a one-year appointment with the potential of renewal based on performance and departmental needs. We seek a colleague who approaches structures as a fundamental design discipline within architecture — one that shapes space, form, material expression, environmental performance, and human experience. The successful candidate will be excited to teach structural systems not through an engineering lens, but as a critical phase in an architectural design process that enables architectural thinking and innovation. The candidate is expected to teach Structures 1 and Structures 2 courses offered at the undergraduate and graduate levels. The primary responsibility for this position is teaching undergraduate and graduate architecture courses focused on structural systems and their relationship to architectural design. Courses introduce students to principles of primary structural systems, their materialities, and the integration of structural thinking into an architectural design process. The department is particularly interested in candidates who can teach structures through: Spatial and tectonic, iterative exploration Precedent analysis Computational Design Integrative Design Environmental and performance-based thinking While technical competency is expected, this is not an engineering-focused position. We welcome applicants from architectural practice and architectural education who are interested in helping students understand structure as an expressive, conceptual, and performative component of architecture.

Requirements

• A combination of a professional bachelor’s and a master’s degree; or a terminal professional master’s degree; or a doctorate. Degrees should be in Architecture or a closely related discipline.
• Demonstrated expertise in structural systems within architectural design.
• Teaching experience and/or significant professional experience relevant to the position.
• Strong communication and collaborative skills.
• Qualified by education and experience to teach at the undergraduate and graduate level.

Nice To Haves

• Licensure in architecture.
• Experience teaching structures, building technology, or integrated design studios.
• Evidence of design excellence, professional practice, research, or built work.
• Interest in interdisciplinary and practice-based education.
• Experience integrating digital tools, fabrication, or visualization into teaching.

Responsibilities

• Teach Structures 1 and Structures 2 courses offered at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
• Introduce students to principles of primary structural systems, their materialities, and the integration of structural thinking into an architectural design process.
• Teach structures through spatial and tectonic, iterative exploration, precedent analysis, computational design, integrative design, and environmental and performance-based thinking.

Benefits

• Medical (including prescription)
• Supplemental insurance
• Dental
• Vision
• Life and AD&D insurance
• Short- and long-term disability
• Flexible spending accounts
• Retirement plans
• Tuition assistance
• Voluntary benefits (access to group rates on insurance and discounts)
• Tuition discounts at Thomas Jefferson University after one year of full time service or two years of part time service.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree