Career-track Instructor or Teaching Assistant Professor in

Apparel Design and Technology

Department of Design and Merchandising 

Start Date: August 2027

POSITION:

The Department of Design and Merchandising (DM) in the College of Education and Human Sciences at Oklahoma State University welcomes applications for a full-time, nine-month, Career-track Instructor or Teaching Assistant Professor position, 95% Teaching (21-24 credit hours over the academic year) and 5% Service, in Apparel Design and Technology beginning August 2027.

The Apparel Design and Technology program prepares students for careers in apparel design, product development, technical design, 3D digital product creation, and apparel production. We seek a highly engaged educator who is deeply committed to undergraduate teaching, student mentoring and professional development, and service to the program, department, university, and profession.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

The successful candidate will teach undergraduate courses in apparel design and production. Teaching responsibilities may include one or more of the following: apparel construction, advanced apparel design, technical design, apparel product development and production, and 3D digital product creation, depending on program needs and the candidate’s areas of expertise.  The candidate is expected to demonstrate familiarity with apparel production equipment and digital design technologies, provide basic troubleshooting support, and promote safe and effective use of laboratory equipment and software.

The candidate will contribute to maintaining contemporary, industry-relevant curriculum and integrating emerging technologies and industry-standard practices into teaching and student learning. The candidate is expected to maintain professional currency through ongoing professional development, including participation in professional organizations, workshops, industry activities, and training in emerging apparel design technologies and practices.

The candidate will mentor students in developing professional portfolios, preparing for internships and employment, participating in design competitions and exhibitions, and building connections with apparel industry professionals. The candidate will also contribute to departmental, college, university, and professional service and support student recruitment, program development, industry engagement, and student internships.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Candidates are required to have a minimum of a master’s degree in apparel design, apparel product development, textile and apparel studies, or a closely related field, substantial knowledge and relevant professional experience in apparel design, patternmaking and construction, 2D and 3D product creation, and/or apparel production, with the ability to effectively teach undergraduate courses in these areas.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Preference will be given to candidates with relevant university-level teaching and industry experience in apparel design, construction, technical design, product development, and production. Experience with emerging apparel technologies, including 3D apparel design, digital product development, AI, and industry-standard software is highly desirable, as is a demonstrated ability to engage and mentor students. Additional preference will be given to candidates with specialized knowledge or experience in technical design, design of personal protective equipment (PPE) and/or functional clothing. Familiarity with apparel manufacturing processes and their application to apparel product development is also desirable.

SALARY AND BENEFITS: Salary will be commensurate with education, experience, qualifications, and will be contingent on available funding. Benefits include comprehensive medical and retirement plans. Information on benefits can be found at https://hr.okstate.edu/benefits/index.html

GENERAL INFORMATION:

The Department of Design and Merchandising (DM) includes programs in Apparel Design and Technology, Fashion Merchandising, and Interior Design and offers undergraduate and graduate degrees at the master’s and doctoral levels, as well as several certificate programs. The department emphasizes hands-on learning, industry engagement, emerging technologies, and individualized student mentoring to prepare students for professional careers in design and merchandising. Our fashion majors are accredited through the Textile and Apparel Program Accreditation Commission (TAPAC).

The College of Education and Human Sciences includes 7 academic units, 172 faculty, and nearly 200 full-time staff. Additional information regarding the College of Education and Human Sciences may be found at http://education.okstate.edu/.

Oklahoma State University is an R1 comprehensive land-grant institution with an enrollment of more than 30,000 students. The university offers 87 undergraduate majors, 84 master’s programs, and 48 programs at the doctoral level at campuses in Stillwater and Tulsa. Stillwater is a micropolitan community of approximately 49,000 people with high-quality amenities and a comparably low cost of living. Oklahoma City and Tulsa are within a 1-hour drive, and cities such as Fayetteville, AR, Joplin, MO, and Wichita, KS are within a comfortable 2-3-hour drive time of Stillwater. In addition to excellent healthcare, education (public and private primary and secondary schools), and recreational services, the community affords a wide variety of cultural activities typical of a major university environment, including museums, music, art, and theater. Stillwater combines larger city amenities, including an airport and cultural life, with the charm of a smaller community, affordable housing, and excellent schools, and is ranked one of America’s safest cities. See http://VisitStillwater.org for more information.

APPLICATION INFORMATION:

Application review will begin January 15, 2027, and continue until the position is filled.

To apply, please visit http://jobs.okstate.edu and submit the following:

Letter of intent addressing position qualifications;

Current curriculum vitae;

Unofficial transcripts from the institution where the highest degree was earned (official transcripts will be required upon hiring)

Statement of teaching philosophy (no longer than one page);

Portfolio of professional, creative, and/or technical work relevant to the position, if available; and

Name, position, and contact information (mail, phone, and email) of three professional references.

For questions, please contact Dr. Sumit Mandal, Associate Professor & Search Committee Chair, at sumit.mandal@okstate.edu.