Visiting Lecturer in Architectural Studies

Job Description

The Department of History of Art and Architecture (HAA) at the University of Pittsburgh invites applications for a full-time Visiting Lecturer (VL) in the Appointment Stream in Architectural Studies, starting 15 August 2025. This is a nine-month (2-term) position for two years. The VL will teach required courses in building sciences for students in the Architectural Studies Program [such as courses addressing building structures, materials, construction, and building systems]. They will also have opportunities to contribute to teaching in our studio curriculum. You can read about the program on our website, https://www.arch.pitt.edu/. We seek a colleague whose teaching and service will extend our mission by contributing diverse perspectives and experiences to program and departmental initiatives.

About Us

The Department of History of Art and Architecture is based in the Frick Fine Arts Building on the University of Pittsburgh's Oakland campus, which occupies the ancestral territory of the Seneca and Delaware Nations and lands culturally important to the Osage, Shawnee, and Wyandot. 21 full-time faculty members work together to serve the needs of our approximately 30 PhD students, 3 post-baccalaureate Hot Metal Bridge diversity fellows, approximately 300 majors and minors in our undergraduate programs in Architectural Studies, the History of Art and Architecture, and Museum Studies, and the hundreds of undergraduate students who enroll in our courses to fulfill General Education requirements. Our faculty includes specialists in the art and architecture of Africa, the Americas, East and South Asia, and Europe, across centuries. Our interpretative approaches and lines of inquiry find intersections within our Constellations frameworks [https://www.haa.pitt.edu/graduate/constellations]. Our interest in the history of exhibitions and museums finds expression in our research, activities related to the Collecting Knowledge Pittsburgh consortium, and our Museum Studies major and minor. The University Art Gallery, Visual Media Workshop, and Fine Arts Library, all of which are housed within the Frick Fine Arts Building, function as situated learning environments for department members.

Duties

1. Teach a total of 18 credits per academic year, which is usually three, 3-credit courses each term
2. Among these, the VL will teach two sections of two different 3-credit courses in building sciences each year [ARC 0401 - Building Structures 1 and ARC 0402 - Building Systems 1]. These courses are requirements for students pursing the B.S. in Architecture degree.
3. Depending on qualifications and expertise, the VL will either teach a 6-credit design studio course or two 3-credit courses in computer applications [ARC 1911 - Architecture + Digital Media 1 and ARC 1912 - Architecture + Digital Media 2] each year.
4. Meet with students beyond the classroom as may be appropriate to their educational needs
5. Contribute to the HAA/Architectural Studies Program mission through service activities

Requirements

Minimum Requirements

1. Bachelor's degree in Architectural Engineering, Civil Engineering, Construction Engineering or related field and a minimum of 5 years’ work experience in similar fields
   OR
   ABD (PhD in hand 1 September 2025) in Architectural Engineering, Civil Engineering, Construction Engineering, or related field.
2. Experience mentoring undergraduate students
3. Commitment to the values of equity, inclusion, accessibility, and diversity

Preferred Requirements

1. Professional degree in architecture [either B.Arch. or M.Arch.] or equivalent professional design degree [such as in landscape architecture, urban design]
2. Experience teaching college-level courses in building science
3. Experience as a design studio instructor
4. Professional licensure permitting practice of architecture or engineering

To Apply

To apply, visit join.pitt.edu. The requisition number for this position is 24008094.

Applications should include:

• Cover letter addressed to Prof. Drew Armstrong, Director of the Architectural Studies Program, that discusses the applicant’s approaches to teaching, advising, and if applicable mentoring of undergraduates.
• Current CV.
• Teaching Portfolio (20 pages maximum) with proposed syllabus for an undergraduate course in building science related to the candidate's field of research specialization.
• Diversity statement of 1–2 pages, in which you share how your past, planned, or potential contributions or experiences relating to diversity, equity, and inclusion will advance the University of Pittsburgh’s commitment to inclusive excellence.
• Two professional/academic recommendations, with at least one that speaks to the candidate's teaching or mentoring abilities, should be emailed by the letter writers to Drew Armstrong, Director of the Architectural Studies Program (cda68@pitt.edu) with a cc to Evan Zajdel, Administrative Officer, HAA Department (ewz5@pitt.edu).

Review of applications will begin in January 1, 2025, and will continue until the position is filled. Questions may be directed to Drew Armstrong, Director of the Architectural Studies Program (cda68@pitt.edu) or Evan Zajdel, Department Administrator, HAA Department (ewz5@pitt.edu).

Applications should include: cover letter addressed to Prof. Drew Armstrong, CV, Teaching Portfolio (20 pages maximum), Diversity statement of 1–2 pages, and two (2) professional/academic recommendations.

The University of Pittsburgh is committed to championing all aspects of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility within our community. This commitment is a fundamental value of the University and is crucial in helping us advance our mission, which includes attracting and retaining diverse workforces. We will continue to create and maintain an environment that allows individuals to discover, belong, contribute, and grow, while honoring the experiences, perspectives, and unique identities of all.

The University of Pittsburgh is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and values equality of opportunity, human dignity and diversity. EOE, including disability/vets.

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