Contractual Architectural Researcher Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The University of Southern California School of Architecture invites applications for two full-time, tenure track positions in architectural design. Both appointments are expected to begin in August 2027.

The School seeks architectural designers with proven records of research and teaching in design studios and seminars at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. The candidate’s practice should represent a robust research agenda, one that engages urgent social, cultural, technological, and/or environmental challenges facing the built environment today. Ideal candidates might integrate rigorous design experimentation with scholarly inquiry, advance architectural discourse through the use of innovative methodologies, and/or embrace cross-disciplinary collaboration. Of particular interest are candidates exploring computational design, new forms of creative practice, and/or large-scale urban design; as well as candidates who focus on climate-related design, materiality, and/or housing.

USC SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE

The University of Southern California is one of the world’s leading private research universities. It is an anchor institution in Los Angeles and a global center for the arts, technology, and international business. With seven academic units dedicated to art-focused disciplines, USC provides extensive opportunities for interdisciplinary study and collaboration with leading researchers in highly advanced learning environments.

Since its founding in 1919, the USC School of Architecture has also been a place for individual invention. Past design faculty members include many Case Study Program collaborators and other renowned figures, such as Richard Neutra, Gregory Ain, Ralph Knowles, Craig Ellwood, and Pierre Koenig. Its architecture program has produced a significant number of renowned architects who have transformed architectural practice, including Paul R. Williams, Gin Wong, Frank Gehry, Mark Rios, and Thom Mayne.

Today, the School supports over 100 faculty and 680 students. We offer three accredited professional degrees—the Bachelor of Architecture degree, the Master of Architecture degree, and the Master of Landscape and Urbanism degree; two pre-professional degrees; research-based master degrees in Heritage Conservation, Building Science, and Advanced Architectural Research Studies (post-professional); as well as dual degree programs at the graduate level with the USC Viterbi School of Engineering, the USC Price School of Public Policy, and USC Dornsife College.

Each program is committed to being a 21st-century academic and cultural institution dedicated to producing the next generation of leaders in design, research, and scholarship—redefining professional education and experimenting with radical, collaborative pedagogical models aligned with other creative and professional disciplines and informed by the vibrant cultures, communities, and creative economies of our global home city.

Our core values include the belief that collectively, through architecture, we can enrich basic human existence in harmony with local, regional, and global ecologies. Our school culture revolves around curating vibrant contemporary debates with informed and critical dialogue.

Candidates must have a graduate or undergraduate degree from an accredited professional architecture program, as well as a record of proven professional and academic accomplishment and innovation.

Preferred candidates have completed advanced studies (such as a Master or PhD degree), as well as holding or pursuing a license to practice architecture.

• Statement of Interest describing research/creative work, teaching, and service;
• Curriculum Vitae describing professional and academic experience;
• Digital samples of creative practice, research, and writing as applicable, as well as evidence of effective teaching (20-page maximum PDF, using links to access any additional materials); and
• A list of three references with contact information.

All materials should be compiled in a single PDF with a limit of 5 MB. Additional materials may be requested by the committee. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to campus.

All questions can be addressed to Kay Chang (kaychang@usc.edu).

Review of applications will begin September 15, 2026. The positions will remain open until filled.

The core salary range for this 9-month, full-time position is $97,850 - $113,300 per year.

When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

The University of Southern California is committed to establishing a culturally and intellectually diverse environment, encouraging all members of our learning community to reach their full potential.

USC is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or USC policy.

We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact USC Human Resources by phone at (213) 821-8100 or by email at uschr@usc.edu. Inquiries will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by law.

USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal histories in a matter consistent with the requirements of the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring ordinance.