Visiting Assistant Professor, Interior Design

Job Description

Official Position Title:

One Semester Full-time Visiting Faculty Position in Interior Design / Fall 2026

The School of Architecture & Design (SoAD) at Wentworth Institute of Technology invites applications for a full-time visiting faculty position in Interior Design for the 2026 Fall Semester. Visiting faculty are expected to fulfill teaching, scholarship and/or creative activities, or service responsibilities to cover short-term instructional needs and to bring specialized expertise to the institution. The standard teaching load for visiting faculty is the equivalent of four 4-credit courses per semester, typically comprising one studio and 2-3 courses per semester, depending on the contact hours.

Responsibilities:

The successful candidate will teach courses that align with a forward-thinking approach to design education, integrating advanced technology, user-centered approaches, and innovative tools into the design process. Teaching responsibilities may include foundational and advanced interior design studios, design history and theory courses as well as drawing courses. The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong technical expertise and the ability to effectively teach and mentor students within a studio-based, hands-on learning environment that fosters experimentation, critical thinking, and creative problem-solving.

Additional responsibilities include:

• Collaborating with colleagues to develop and deliver impactful, integrated coursework.

• Engaging in a robust research and scholarship agenda.

• Mentoring students and participating in service obligations to the school, university, and community.

About Wentworth and the School of Architecture and Design:

Wentworth Institute of Technology is a co-op university located in the heart of Boston, Massachusetts, with a strong emphasis on experiential learning and academic excellence. The university includes five schools: Architecture and Design, Computing and Data Science, Engineering, Management, and Sciences and Humanities. Wentworth is a member of the Colleges of the Fenway consortium, providing opportunities for collaboration and resource sharing with nearby institutions, including Massachusetts College of Art & Design and Simmons University.

Wentworth is a university with a teaching focus and strategic initiatives of diversity, equity, and inclusive excellence, high-value learning, transformational student experience, and next-generation partnerships. The school has a strong commitment to recruiting and retaining students with diverse backgrounds, fostering a vibrant design community and learning environment for faculty and students, and building on and expanding current government, community, industry, and alumni partnerships. For more information about Wentworth’s Strategic Plan, see:

Wentworth’s School of Architecture and Design (SoAD) recognizes the critical role its courses and curriculum play in fostering academic success and addressing equity gaps. We seek new faculty to join a community committed to teaching excellence, curricular innovation, and mentoring of students. SoAD offers highly respected Bachelor of Sciences degrees in Industrial Design (NASAD accredited), Interior Design (CIDA accredited), Architecture, Master of Architecture (NAAB accredited), and Building Sciences. The mission of the SoAD is to empower design students and educators from all backgrounds to become creative, civic-minded problem-solvers, responding to global challenges and contributing to local communities. The SoAD guides students to engage locally and globally, explore advanced technologies, collaborate within and across disciplines, gain industry experience via cooperative education, and learn to design sustainably and equitably. Comprising approximately 940 undergraduate and 100 graduate students, the SoAD has robust international study opportunities at both the graduate and undergraduate levels.

About the Interior Design Programs:

With approximately 130 students, the Interior Design program offers a dynamic studio-based program where students learn to elevate human experiences through the thoughtful design of interior environments. Along with the project-focused studio courses, the Interior Design curriculum includes the study of innovation in new materials and building technologies, sustainable practices, social responsibility, and human behavior in diverse contexts. Students complete two mandatory co-ops, bridging the gap between academia and industry, reinforcing coursework, and gaining valuable professional experience. To learn more about the Interior Design program, please visit this link.

Application Requirements:

Applicants must submit the following in a single PDF document:

1) Cover letter (1 page) describing areas of expertise and qualifications

2) Current curriculum vitae

3) Teaching statement (maximum three pages) describing pedagogical philosophy

4) Portfolio showcasing professional and/or teaching work, including design projects and student outcomes (if applicable).

5) Contact information for three professional references. Candidates will be notified before the University contacts their references

** The position is expected to be filled for Fall 2026.

For more information, please contact Dr. Stephanie Rufino at [email protected].

Minimum Education Required:

• Master’s degree

• A master’s degree in Interior Design or a related design field (e.g., Master of Design, Master of Fine Arts, DDes, or PhD).

Preferred Work Experience:

• Experience in teaching interior design or related design disciplines in an academic setting

• Professional experience in interior design or a related design discipline

Advertised Minimum Qualifications:

• Established record of academic and professional accomplishments

• Proven success in working collaboratively to advance knowledge and design

• Demonstrate commitment to inclusive excellence

Advertised Preferred Qualifications:

• NCIDQ certification

• Demonstrated success in undergraduate teaching and mentorship.

• Record of excellence in professional practice and knowledge of contemporary design practices

• Possess flexibility in teaching to address diverse student needs and interests

• A strong work ethic and the ability to collaborate across disciplines

Position Details:

It is expected that the salary range for this position is between $35,000 and $39,575.

The specific pay for this position will be determined by the University based on consideration of all relevant factors when and if it decides to extend an offer of employment. The position does not include a comprehensive benefits package.

Please be aware that any final offer for this position is contingent on the applicant providing valid I-9 documentation, showing work authorization and identity.

Compensation and Benefits

Wentworth Institute of Technology is committed to fair, transparent, and legally compliant compensation practices. We believe that clarity about pay structures and ranges supports equity, fosters trust, and ensures a positive workplace for all employees.

Please visit here to see the comprehensive benefits package offered to support the best experience for our employees.

Inclusive Excellence at Wentworth

Inclusive Excellence is one of the four pillars of the Strategic Plan. Actively and intentionally cultivating a diverse and culturally competent institution where each member has the opportunity and support to reach their full potential and make contributions to our campus community and beyond is Inclusive Excellence at Wentworth.

To find out more about the Wentworth’s commitment to Inclusive Excellence, please visit the website .

All applicants have the right to accessibility support and accommodations. To request accessibility support or accommodations, contact the Executive Director of Equity and Compliance, Catlin Wells, at [email protected].

E-Verify for Employment Eligibility Verification (Form I-9)

Wentworth participates in E-Verify. E-Verify is an internet-based system that compares information from your Form I-9 to records available to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Social Security Administration (SSA) to confirm that you are authorized to work in the United States.