The University of Oklahoma’s Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture (GCA) 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) seeks new faculty members to help shape the future of architectural education and practice. These positions reinforce OU’s university-wide commitment as an R-1 public research institution, fueled by growth in faculty excellence, research innovation, and cross-sector partnerships.

We invite applications for two 9-month, full-time, open-rank (Assistant, Associate, and/or Full Professor) tenure-track or tenured positions beginning in August 2027. Review of applications will begin on October 12, 2026, and continue until the position is filled.

Who We’re Looking For

We seek design faculty for beginning and/or advanced studios whose teaching and research drives architectural ideas forward. Applicants should demonstrate a clear research trajectory that contributes to contemporary architectural discourse within and through a context of design and public impact. Possible areas of investigation to complement design studio pedagogy may include but are not limited to architectural and urban design theory, landscape architecture, graphic communications, fabrication and making, materials and processes, and/or computation.

Candidates will join a faculty recognized for its experimental spirit and for carrying forward the legacy of the American School (https://architecture.ou.edu/the-american-school/), a distinctive approach to architectural pedagogy and design whose remarkable body of work is preserved in the OU Libraries’ American School Archive (https://libraries.ou.edu/find-expert-services/special-research-collections/our-collecting-areas/american-school-architecture-archive).

Successful candidates will contribute actively to design studios, seminars, lecture courses, and broader curricular discussions, engaging students and faculty across our Ph.D. and NAAB-accredited B.Arch and M.Arch programs.

Our Community

Faculty in the Division of Architecture actively contribute to a dynamic culture of creativity, inquiry, collaboration, and impact. They generate new knowledge in the areas of placemaking and belonging, health and well-being, entrepreneurship and applied practice, and resilience and sustainability (https://ou.edu/gibbs/explore/research). The Institute for Quality Communities, host of the biennial national Placemaking Conference, connects faculty and students with communities across Oklahoma to shape civic life through design. A semester-long study abroad program in Rome, complemented by a range of short-term international and domestic travel opportunities, broaden students’ perspectives and deepen their design education through immersive, experiential learning. Our ACSA award-winning Design-Build program, together with a strong record of achievements in national student competitions, often in partnership with other GCA divisions, further underscore our commitment to hands-on and interdisciplinary learning. The nationally recognized student journal Telesis reflects a longstanding tradition of intellectual curiosity, critical inquiry, creativity, and rigor that extends beyond the classroom.

Faculty have opportunities to:

• Inspire and innovate through teaching in design studios, seminar and lecture course teaching,
• Advance scholarly and creative inquiry through research, design, and work disseminated in recognized academic and professional venues,
• Contribute to the life of the Division, College, and University through shared governance, and
• Engage with the profession and the public through meaningful service, engagement, and outreach.

What We Offer

The Division of Architecture and Gibbs College provide 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) first began accepting students in 1926, and has a legacy of experimentation that began with Bruce Goff’s leadership in the mid-20th century, continues today in a culture of creativity and purposeful impact. The Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture brings together through in-person and online programs more than 1,400 students across seven disciplines: Architecture, Construction Science, Environmental Design, Interior Design, Landscape Architecture, Regional and City Planning, and Urban Design. A new B.S. in Real Estate and Community Development is anticipated in fall 2027. The College serves as a hub for interdisciplinary teaching and research, and community engagement. 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 over $500M in annual research expenditures and more than 34,000 students across online and three in-person 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 Paolo Sanza, RA, at [email protected].

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

Applicants shall submit the following materials as PDF documents via Interfolio.

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