Architecture - Assistant Professor (Digital Fabrication, Design Computation, and Design/Build)

The McEwen School of Architecture (MSoA) in the Faculty of Science, Engineering and Architecture at Laurentian University invites applications from suitably qualified candidates for a faculty position at the rank of Assistant Professor. The preferred start date is July 1, 2027.

The candidates will have expertise in the following areas emphasizing making and craft: digital fabrication, computational design, wood technologies and design-build. Teaching responsibilities will include introductory courses in computational design, architectural communication, and digital fabrication, along with advanced courses in these fields. The successful applicant should also be prepared to teach design studio and be able to offer instruction in related areas, including technology, robotics, sustainability, and wood construction.

Candidates should demonstrate a collaborative approach and a strong interest in contributing to the school’s newly established Institute for Northern Housing Innovation (INHI). They should also be prepared to engage with related disciplines across the university, including engineering, computer science, and other relevant fields.

All candidates must have a professional degree in architecture. Academic post-graduate specialized degrees, including a doctorate, are preferred. Practicing architects should demonstrate that they are registered interns or licensed members of a professional association, along with a proven design record. Preference will be given to candidates who are fluent in written and spoken French and those who support the tri-cultural mandate of Laurentian University and the MSoA. The tri-cultural mandate is a commitment to English, French, and Indigenous cultures and perspectives in education. Candidates need to demonstrate a commitment to promoting a diverse, inclusive and vibrant academic and work environment.

The successful candidate will have the following essential qualifications:

• A professional degree in Architecture at the time of appointment.
• A post-graduate degree, such as a doctorate is preferred; and/or
• Registration or Licensure as a member of an Architecture Professional Association (with relevant expertise in the area of Digital Fabrication, Computational Design and Design-Build).
• Have active knowledge of both official languages (functional bilingualism); consideration of receptive bilingualism (passive comprehension of the French/English language) will be given in exceptional cases.
• Experience in teaching courses in architectural design, digital fabrication, computational design and design/build. The candidate will have demonstrated a commitment to pedagogical and academic excellence.
• Evidence of a creative research stream, including published work, that advances knowledge in Digital Fabrication, Computational Design, Wood Technology, and Design-Build practices.
• Experience and expertise in wood and timber technologies and systems would be considered an asset.
• Commitment to promoting a diverse, inclusive and vibrant academic and work environment.

In addition to active engagement and participation in teaching, the successful candidate is expected to make contributions through service to the School, Faculty, University, and broader community. An on-campus presence is also expected.

Established in 2013, the McEwen School of Architecture (MSoA) offers a four-year pre-professional Bachelor of Architectural Studies (BAS) degree, followed by a two-year professional Master of Architecture degree (M.Arch), accredited by the Canadian Architectural Certification Board. Situated in northern Ontario, the MSoA focuses on design with wood, design/build, and community design projects. Our integrated co-operative program enables students to obtain practical experience through work-term placements in industry and in design or architecture offices. Francophone, First Nations, Métis, and Inuit student experience is central to the unique tri-cultural mandate of the program. The architecture program is delivered in English, with French language options for design studios, elective courses, and co-operative placements. Through the tri-cultural mandate and bilingual options, students are exposed to a unique array of methods, knowledge and direct experience that informs community-design and design-build exercises.

The Institute for Northern Housing Innovation (INHI) is a newly established Senate-Approved Research Centre at Laurentian University focused on improving housing affordability and sustainability. The new 3,200 square foot mass timber addition is conceived as both a living lab and a pillar of sustainable construction, enabling assembly testing, advanced manufacturing, and robotic fabrication research for students and industry alike. It aims to establish a nationally recognized training centre dedicated to advancing specialized education and strengthening industry and community partnerships.

The MSoA seeks innovative individuals with established records of design, practice, and a passion for teaching. Individuals should be ready to teach in the classroom, the design studio, fabrication labs, and in the field with local community groups and partnerships. The successful candidate will teach in both the undergraduate and graduate architecture programs and will participate in the administration and governance of the University, including service to MSoA committees and institution building. All faculty members are expected to teach architectural design in addition to developing expertise in a particular stream of the curriculum: Design, Culture, Technology, or Professional Practice. Laurentian is a bilingual university with a tricultural mandate, as such, fluency in French for this position is preferred.

Laurentian University, located on Atikameksheng Anishnawbek territory in Sudbury, Ontario, serves over 8000 students and is one of two bilingual universities in the province of Ontario. Committed to its bilingual, tri cultural mandate, Laurentian University offers an outstanding university experience in English and French with a comprehensive approach to Indigenous education. Laurentian’s beautiful, forested campus is surrounded by fresh-water lakes, conservation lands and hundreds of kilometres of cross-country and hiking trails while situated in the geographic centre of Greater Sudbury, northern Ontario’s major urban centre (population 160,000). Laurentian University has close and productive ties to Science North, SNOLAB, Health Sciences North and multiple post-secondary institutions.

Application Requirements

Applications should include the following items:

• A cover letter which clearly indicates the area(s) of expertise. The letter must also include one of the two statements about citizenship/resident status specified below.
• Complete and up-to-date Curriculum vitae, including a full list of publications.
• A teaching statement, which would contain a teaching philosophy, strategies for student engagement, etc.
• A portfolio of professional design works and/or design work by students taught by the Applicant.
• A portfolio of creative research demonstrating expertise in digital fabrication, computational design and design/build.
• A statement providing evidence of incorporation of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) into teaching.
• Names and full contact information for three academic referees.

The application package, inclusive of all documents, should be sent electronically as a single PDF file to: Office of Provost and Vice-president Academic at [email protected] with the following subject line: Application for tenure-track faculty position in Digital Fabrication, Computational Design and Design/Build. Review of applications will begin on January 1, 2027 but applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Further information about the position should be directed to the Office of Provost and Vice-president Academic.

Laurentian University is an inclusive and welcoming community committed to employment equity. Applications are encouraged from members of equity-seeking communities including women, racialized and Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, and persons of all sexual orientations and gender identities/expressions. Laurentian University's bilingualism policy (Section 7.3.b) provides a provision regarding the language requirement for persons self-identifying as First Nations, Métis or Inuit. (https://laurentian.ca/bilingualism) The successful candidate will be part of the Laurentian University Faculty Association (LUFA). Candidates are encouraged to consult the Collective Agreement at www.lufappul.ca. The minimum salary for the rank of Assistant Professor is set at $ 89, 914.52, with additional increments awarded for relevant experience in accordance with the Laurentian University Faculty Association Collective Agreement.

Laurentian University is committed to providing an inclusive and barrier free experience to applicants with accessibility needs. Requests for accommodation can be made at any stage during the recruitment process. Please contact the Office of the Provost and Vice-President Academic for more information ([email protected]).

All qualified persons are encouraged to apply; however, in accordance with Canadian immigration requirements, Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada will be given priority. To comply with federal laws, the University is obliged to gather statistical information as to how many applicants for each job vacancy are Canadian citizens / permanent residents of Canada. Applicants need not identify their country of origin or citizenship; however, all applicants must include one of the following statements: “I am a Canadian citizen / permanent resident of Canada”; OR, “I am not a Canadian citizen / permanent resident of Canada” in their cover letter. Applications that do not include this information will be deemed incomplete.