Teaching Assistant Professor, Sustainable Design - College of Fine & Applied Arts

The Department of Landscape Architecture and the Department of Urban and Regional Planning at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign invite applications for a Teaching Assistant Professor position in Sustainable Landscapes and Ecological Design. We seek a colleague who brings vision, intellectual depth, and expertise in planting design, ecological design, land use management, landscape performance, and sustainable urban design. This is a full-time, 9-month, non-tenure-track position with opportunity for advancement. The position is designed to support the instructional mission of the Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Design (BSSD) program while strengthening connections between Landscape Architecture and Urban and Regional Planning.

The departments are situated within the College of Fine and Applied Arts at a globally ranked public research university. Together they support undergraduate and graduate education in Landscape Architecture, Urban Planning, Sustainable Urban Design, and the interdisciplinary Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Design program. The successful candidate will contribute to teaching and curriculum development across these areas while advancing the educational goals of the BSSD program.

We seek candidates with demonstrated expertise in ecological systems, planting design, sustainable site development, landscape management, climate-responsive design, land use planning, and the stewardship of natural and urban environments. The ideal candidate will engage environmental and social challenges through teaching that integrates ecological literacy, design thinking, sustainability, planning, and professional practice.

Resources and Collaborative Opportunities

Faculty members in the Departments of Landscape Architecture and Urban and Regional Planning have access to exceptional resources and facilities throughout the College of Fine & Applied Arts and the interdisciplinary research campus of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. These include the Siebel Center for Design, the Illinois Program for Research in the Humanities, the Center for Advanced Study, the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, the Unit for Criticism, and numerous other specialized centers. Additional collaborative opportunities include the Krannert Museum of Art and the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts.

This position is intended to strengthen educational leadership in ecological and sustainable design while expanding instructional capacity for the Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Design program and supporting the long-term curricular needs of the Department of Landscape Architecture and the Department of Urban and Regional Planning.

The College of Fine and Applied Arts (FAA) is singular in the nation for its diversity, innovation and breadth. Its mission is dedicated to the advancement, practice, and understanding of the arts, and its central focus is the synergy between research and the preparation of students for professional careers in the creation and interpretation of the environmental, visual, and performing arts. Deeply related to that focus is the commitment to elevate and sustain the study of the arts as both a necessary mode of understanding and a vibrant expression of human experience within the local, national, and international communities.

The college comprises the Schools of Music, Architecture, and Art and Design; Departments of Dance, Landscape Architecture, Theatre, and Urban and Regional Planning; the Sustainable Design program; Krannert Center for the Performing Arts; Krannert Art Museum; and Japan House. FAA employs more than 660 faculty members and staff, including more than 150 tenure system faculty members, and more than 1,850 undergraduate and 635 graduate students enroll in FAA’s more than 30 majors and 10 minors.

Appointment Structure

This specialized faculty position will be jointly supported by the Department of Landscape Architecture and the Department of Urban and Regional Planning, with the appointment structured as approximately:

• 60% Landscape Architecture
• 40% Urban and Regional Planning

The position will also serve as a core instructional resource for the Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Design (BSSD) program, supporting the interdisciplinary curriculum of which is shared across the College of Fine and Applied Arts.

Teaching Responsibilities

The successful candidate will maintain a teaching load of six courses annually, distributed as follows:

• Two courses annually in FAA/BSSD Core curriculum offerings
• Two courses annually in Landscape Architecture
• Two courses annually in Urban and Regional Planning

All assigned courses should contribute directly to the Bachelor of Sustainable Design curriculum in one of the following ways:

• Required courses for the BSSD major;
• Approved BSSD electives; or
• Cross-listed offerings that support student pathways between and among Landscape Architecture, Urban and Regional Planning, and Sustainable Design.

Additional responsibilities include:

• Curriculum development and coordination that strengthens connections among sustainability, ecological systems, landscape planning, land management, urban systems, and design disciplines.
• Collaboration with faculty across Landscape Architecture, Urban and Regional Planning, and the BSSD program.
• Mentoring undergraduate students and participating in program assessment and academic service activities as appropriate.
• Contributing to interdisciplinary initiatives that advance sustainability education across the College of Fine and Applied Arts.

Potential Teaching Areas

• Planting Design
• Ecological Design
• Landscape Ecology
• Land Use Management
• Sustainable Urban Design
• Green Infrastructure
• Climate Resilient Design
• Environmental Planning
• Site Planning and Analysis
• Landscape Performance and Stewardship
• Nature-Based Solutions
• Community and Regional Landscape Systems
• Sustainable Development
• Urban Ecology
• Resilient Communities
• Parks and Recreation Planning

Minimum Qualifications

• A professional degree in Landscape Architecture or a closely allied field.
• A terminal degree in Landscape Architecture, Environmental Design, Ecological Design, Planning, Urban Design, Geography, Natural Resources, or a related discipline.
• Three years of combined teaching and professional experience in landscape architecture, ecological design, environmental planning, or a closely allied field. Merit-based exceptions may be considered.
• Demonstrated expertise in plant identification, planting design, ecological systems, land use planning and management, sustainable site design, and/or sustainable urban design.
• Evidence of teaching effectiveness or professional accomplishment relevant to the position.
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Five or more years of combined teaching and professional experience.
• A post-graduate degree in Landscape Architecture or a closely allied field.
• Experience teaching interdisciplinary sustainability-focused courses.
• Demonstrated expertise in integrating ecological processes with design decision-making.
• Experience working across scales, from site design to regional planning and landscape management.
• Evidence of curriculum development and innovation in sustainability education.

Institutional Context:

Sustainable Design is an independent academic unit in the College of Fine and Applied Arts at the University of Illinois, whose social justice efforts have the support of dedicated staff at the college and campus levels who work with students, faculty, and staff to facilitate learning and transformation with regard to anti-Black racism, violence, and prejudice in all its forms.

The University of Illinois is an internationally recognized research and educational institution located in Urbana-Champaign, a vibrant university community within driving distance of Chicago, Indianapolis, and St. Louis. With the nation’s third largest research library, the University supports faculty as active researchers in the humanities, arts, sciences, and engineering through opportunities for funding and vital cross-disciplinary exchange in the campus’ many institutes, centers, and initiatives. These include the Siebel Center for Design, Campus Research Board, the Illinois Program for Research in the Humanities, the Center for Advanced Study, the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, and numerous other specialized centers. Additional collaborative opportunities include Krannert Art Museum and the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, each a respected international hub for innovative scholarship and public engagement.

For more information, please visit https://illinois.edu/ for the University, https://faa.illinois.edu/ for the College of Fine & Applied Arts, and https://faa.illinois.edu/units/sustainable-design// for Sustainable Design.

Salary and Appointment Information

This is a 100% full-time, nine-month faculty appointment (paid over 12 months) with opportunity for advancement. The anticipated start date is January 16, 2026.

The salary range for this position is $65,000 - $75,000. We strive to provide a competitive salary, considering factors such as available market data, internal equity, candidate’s experience and qualifications, and budget constraints.

This position is eligible for sponsorship for work authorization, except for sponsorship of a new H1B petition that would incur the $100,000 fee.

Application Procedures and Deadline Information

Applications must be received by 6:00pm (Central Time) on Wednesday, November 4, 2026. Apply for this position using the “Apply Now” button in the job posting at http://jobs.illinois.edu and upload the following items:

• CV/Resume
• Cover Letter
• Portfolio of teaching and professional work (25 page maximum)
• Names and contact information of three references.

Applications not submitted through http://jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered. For further information about this specific position, please contact FAA HR at FAA-HR@illinois.edu. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.