Fashion Studies, Tenure-Track Faculty

Fashion Studies, Tenure-Track Faculty

Department

Fashion Studies Program

MTSU seeks candidates committed to innovative teaching, robust research/creative activity, and meaningful service. We also seek to attract culturally and academically diverse faculty who value working with diverse students.

The salary is commensurate with education and experience.

The Fashion Studies Program at Middle Tennessee State University invites applicants for a full-time, tenure-track faculty position (#120350) at the rank of assistant or associate professor. The start date for the position is August 1, 2027.

This tenure-track position combines undergraduate teaching in the Apparel Design concentration with a robust research agenda. The successful candidate will teach lecture and studio courses, engage in service to the university and the community, and take responsibility for the operation, maintenance, and continued readiness of the program’s apparel design and production laboratories. Coursework connects foundational apparel design and construction skills with contemporary approaches including design thinking, co-creation, inclusive and adapted apparel design, emerging technologies, and collaborative design practices.

The faculty member is expected to bring professional experience in the apparel industry to this learning environment, contributing expertise in garment construction, flat pattern-making, production design, garment fitting, product development, and apparel manufacturing.

• Teach and research in two or more of the following areas: apparel engineering, apparel product line development, apparel industry practices (including sewn product manufacturing), and adapted, inclusive, or human-centered apparel design.
• Actively pursue a program of scholarly research and grantsmanship.
• Support the program’s culture of hands-on learning by operating, servicing, and maintaining industrial sewing machines and related apparel production equipment.
• Participate in curriculum development, marketing for undergraduate programs, and student advising.
• Provide service to the program, college, and university.
• Maintain active involvement in relevant professional associations and industry entities.

A terminal degree in apparel, fashion studies, or a closely related field is required by the appointment date. ABD will be considered if it is close to completion. For contract renewal, a terminal degree must be earned by August 1, 2028.

In lieu of a terminal degree in fashion studies or apparel design, a terminal degree in another field, with a master's degree in fashion studies, apparel design, or a closely related field, will be considered.

One (1) year of college-level full-time teaching experience in fashion studies or apparel design and one (1) year of full-time professional experience in the fashion or apparel industry are required by the appointment date.

Applicants with the following will receive special consideration:

• Demonstrated expertise in garment construction, sewing techniques, and apparel production methods.
• Teaching or research experience in apparel science and technology.
• Experience with grantsmanship and securing external funding.
• Experience with emerging technology applications in textile product development and familiarity with sustainable/smart materials.
• Experience managing products from design development through sampling, fitting, and final production.
• Experience teaching adapted, inclusive, or human-centered apparel design.
• Advanced skills in draping and industrial cutting/pressing equipment.
• Experience with flat pattern and draping techniques for an apparel company or brand.
• E…