Full-Time Faculty Position at the Design Department

Our Mission

Founded in 2014 as a non-profit institution of higher learning by Masrour Barzani, the American University of Kurdistan is dedicated to preparing future generations of leaders through curricular and co-curricular excellence in an American-style education focusing on transformative knowledge, innovative research, ethical community service, respect for inclusion and diversity, global connectedness, and life-long learning, all aiming to ensure economic, environmental, social and political advancement- regionally, nationally and globally.

Our Vision

The American University of Kurdistan will be recognized as a premier institution in the Middle East and beyond by cultivating academic excellence, fostering creativity, and engaging in highest caliber of applied research.

About

Students at the College of Arts and Sciences receive broad training in the humanities, social and natural sciences. The College presently houses the three departments of International Studies, Design, and Computer Science and Information Technology. The College of Arts and Sciences promotes an interactive liberal arts model of education, which embraces intellectual and academic curiosity and develops students’ capabilities in critical thinking and academic discourse. It aims to create a knowledge-based advanced society that is well-geared for sustainable development for the benefit of all people. Its mission involves educating young leaders through our innovative curriculum that develops students’ ability to effectively reason and communicate and offers specialties that are essential for society and the world at large.

Position Summary

The successful candidate will teach and develop course syllabi in our Design department, engaging students through effective instruction and hands-on learning experiences. This role includes conducting assessments, supervising internships, and participating in curriculum development. Responsibilities also extend to administrative duties, active research, grant writing, and committee participation. The faculty member will support student development, maintain strong industry relationships, and contribute to institutional growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Teach undergraduate courses related to the arts and design.
• Facilitate student learning by providing effective instruction and performing evaluations of student learning, adhering to each course’s standard course outline as a guide.
• Develop and articulate course syllabi, learning outcomes, and objectives to ensure student understanding of course expectations, integrating curriculum development as part of departmental engagement.
• Create engaging course curriculum, including handouts, lectures, workshops, and presentations to enhance student engagement and achievement of learning outcomes.
• Participate in program-level learning assessment, helping to articulate learning outcomes, administer measures, evaluate student performance, and recommend improvements.
• Schedule, supervise, debrief, and evaluate students in internships, practical projects, field experiences, and similar settings as appropriate for the discipline.
• Deliver knowledge, skills, and experiences in a student-receptive manner to successfully achieve course learning outcomes as outlined in the syllabus.
• Design course rubrics to assess student performance related to learning objectives and identify areas for improvement.
• Provide support to students via email, phone, or personal conferences, clearly communicating availability through the course syllabus.
• Serve on standing and ad hoc committees, advisory boards, hiring committees, faculty senate, or as a student organization advisor.
• Undertake essential administrative responsibilities as required, collaborating closely with the department team and reporting directly to the department chair.
• Maintain an active research agenda, contribute to grant writing, and secure external funding to support departmental growth and development, especially in areas like sustainable design and technological integration in interior design.
• Participate actively in department activities, student mentoring, and curriculum development as part of departmental engagement.
• Attend local, regional, state, or national meetings relevant to the discipline, as well as departmental, divisional, and college-wide meetings.
• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with community members, professionals, foundations, and companies that support institutional growth.
• Perform other appropriate and reasonable duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Qualifications & experience

• Hold a PhD Degree in Design, or related fields from a reputable accredited university.
• Possess relevant experience in academic roles, practitioner capacities, or as a consultant in the fields of design.
• Demonstrate experience or potential ability to effectively teach courses in Interior Design, Space Planning, Materials and Textiles, Sustainable Design, and related areas.
• Exhibit a strong record or potential for research and publication in design-focused scholarly journals.
• Have experience or show potential in writing grant proposals to secure external funding for departmental growth and innovation in design education.
• Command outstanding knowledge of English with strong communication skills necessary to effectively transfer design concepts and principles to Students.
• Show familiarity with design trends, practices, or industry standards in different cultural contexts, which is considered an asset.

Diversity Statement

It is the policy of the American University of Kurdistan to provide an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, physical and mental disability, marital status, genetic information, and any other characteristic protected by applicable laws. The University promotes diversity and inclusion in the workplace and makes recruiting decisions exclusively based on qualifications, merit, and current work needs. This policy applies to all hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, remuneration, benefits, and training procedures within our Institution.