Position Announcement:  Assistant Professor of Landscape Architecture
School of Natural Resources and Environment
University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

The School of Natural Resources and Environment at the University of Michigan is seeking candidates for a full-time, nine-month tenure-track position in the Landscape Architecture Program at the rank of assistant professor.  We seek a faculty colleague who will contribute in meaningful ways to the ecological design focus of our Landscape Architecture Program, to the interdisciplinary teaching, research and service mission of the School of Natural Resources and Environment, and to the multiplicity of collaborative opportunities at the University of Michigan. 

The School of Natural Resources and Environment is a research-oriented interdisciplinary professional school focusing on the development of policy, design and management to promote the protection and stewardship of natural resources.  The faculty of the School is diverse, with social scientists, biophysical scientists, designers and planners working together in an integrative setting.  Within the School, the accredited 3-year MLA and 2-year post-professional MLA emphasize design that is based on a foundation of cultural interpretation and ecological understanding.  Our PhD in Landscape Architecture program, established in 1939, aims to educate scholars who do cutting-edge research advancing the knowledge and practice of landscape architecture.  The School also offers M.S. and Ph.D degrees in multiple specializations in natural resources and the environment.

We are particularly interested in candidates with expertise in site planning and urban landscape design at scales ranging from streets to neighborhoods and including urban infrastructure. The candidate should possess knowledge of materials and methods used in sustainable landscape construction and have experience with a wide range of digital and analog approaches in graphic communication.

The successful applicant will take on the following responsibilities:

Teaching:

The position will include responsibility for three courses per year.  Applicants should demonstrate teaching expertise or potential in sustainable site design and at least one of the following areas:

Construction materials and details
Digital and analogue graphic media

Scholarly research:

The new faculty member is expected to establish a strong program of scholarship that contributes to the expanding knowledge of the profession and that complements existing strengths of our Program and School.  This research may be qualitative and/or quantitative in nature but must lead to peer-reviewed publications.  The research program should be supportive of one’s teaching portfolio and the School’s interdisciplinary approach. 

Direct interdisciplinary graduate research:  The new member will participate in the academic counseling of graduate students and supervise doctoral and master’s students including those in integrative, group-based master’s projects. 

Service and collaboration:  The new member will build cooperative ties with relevant University-wide programs and departments and make service contributions to the Program, School, University and LA profession. 

Qualifications:

Applicants should have completed at least one accredited degree in landscape architecture and should have earned a Masters degree in Landscape Architecture or a related field.  A Ph.D. or Doctoral Degree in Landscape Architecture or a complementary discipline is preferred.  Both professional experience in design and a record of research and studio teaching excellence are also preferred qualifications. 

Application materials should include a letter of application with a narrative description of your background, interests, and qualifications for the position (maximum five pages).  Describe courses that you are qualified to teach as well as information about classes you have taught or helped teach in the past.  Please characterize your research experience and program.  It should also include a curriculum vitae and a list of at least three references with addresses, phone numbers and email contacts.

Review of applications will begin after December 15, 2008 and will continue until suitable candidates are found.  It is anticipated that interviews will take place beginning in February, 2009.  The position is expected to be filled by September 2009. 

Hardcopy applications should be sent to:

Associate Professor Christopher D. Ellis, Ph.D., ASLA
Chair, Landscape Architecture Search Committee
School of Natural Resources and Environment
University of Michigan
2502 Dana Building
440 Church Street
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109

Electronic applications can be sent to la-search@umich.edu.

For further information, please contact Christopher D. Ellis at 734-615-6149.  Additional information about the Landscape Architecture Program and the School of Natural Resources and Environment can be found at www.snre.umich.edu.

The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer.  Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.