Assistant Professor of Illustration
Appointment Type: Faculty
Job Description:
Summary of Duties and Responsibilities:
The Department of Art and Visual Culture, in the College of Design at Iowa State University, invites applications for a tenure-track position in illustration at the rank of Assistant Professor. The anticipated start date for this position is August 16, 2026.
Successful candidates will:
- Maintain an active record of scholarship, creative activity, or professional practice at the highest levels, and contribute to institutional and professional service.
- Assist the department in the development and growth of the new Illustration major, fostering collaboration with the other departments in the College of Design, the wider university, and industry partners.
- Be an experienced illustrator with a deep understanding of traditional illustration, its technological advancements, and contemporary trends in the field.
- Have a strong record of professional practice and a dedication to innovations in practice and pedagogy.
- Demonstrate teaching excellence with a proven track record in college-level teaching and with the ability to contribute meaningfully to both undergraduate and graduate education in partnership with sister programs in Scientific Illustration and Visualization, Graphic Design, Game Design, and User Experience Design.
- Develop and implement curriculum for the Illustration major.
- Articulate a vision for the future of illustration as an evolving practice.
The Department of Art and Visual Culture is committed to sustaining a collegial, positive, and productive environment for each individual and the collective benefit of all. All faculty members are expected to exhibit and convey good citizenship within department, college, and university activities, interact collegially and maintain the highest standards of integrity and ethical behavior.
About the Art and Visual Culture Department
As a land grant and Research I institution, Iowa State University upholds and advocates for the impact of creative activities, scholarship, and education both on-and off-campus. We embrace and value community and the people and knowledge that preceded the formation of our institution and that inform our current-day practices. The College of Design celebrates and builds on long-standing success as a comprehensive design school that embodies knowledge-sharing and innovation.
The Department of Art and Visual Culture exemplifies these qualities through the creativity and entrepreneurship of its community of makers, educators, and scholars. With an integrated and cross-disciplinary approach to teaching and collaborating, we are committed to contributing to the excellence of the academic community and to building a culturally vibrant environment. We are especially seeking candidates who uphold and promote this purpose and who apply the above qualities in their teaching and research practice.
Department Unit/Website: https://www.design.iastate.edu/art-and-visual-culture/
Minimum Required Qualifications:
- MFA or BFA + MA in related art/design field
Preferred Qualifications:
- MFA in Illustration
- Evidence of successful college-level teaching experience beyond graduate assistantship
- 5 + years of professional experience
- Ability to teach a range of Illustration and Drawing courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
- Knowledge of traditional and contemporary practices in Illustration and related art and design disciplines, including use of generative AI and digital platforms
- Demonstrated evidence of professional accomplishment
- Commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration
Proposed Start Date: August 16, 2026
Number of Months Employed Per Year: 09 Month Work Period
Time Type: Full time
Application Instructions:
To apply for this position, please click on "Apply for this Vacancy" and complete the Employment Application here https://isu.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/IowaStateJobs/job/Assistant-Professor-of-Illustration_R17186
Please be prepared to enter or attach the following as PDF files of no more than 5MB:
- Letter of Application
- Curriculum Vitae with contact information for three professional references
- Research and Creative Activities Statement (2 pages maximum)
- Teaching Philosophy Statement, including your thoughts on the role of generative AI in illustration education and on how to build illustration curricula in this rapidly evolving field (2 pages maximum)
- Two sample course syllabi
And the following portfolios should be uploaded to (https://go.iastate.edu/6QIYSQ), no more than 25MB each:
- Portfolio of Creative Work: 20-page PDF portfolio of creative work, including title, date, media, client, and illustration specialty
- Teaching Portfolio: 20-page PDF portfolio of work by your students, including student name, title, date, media, and course, 1-2 sentence project description
For full consideration, please apply by September 15, 2025.
Sarah Kyle, Professor and Chair, AVC, 146 College of Design, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011-3093.
If you have questions regarding this vacancy, please email Sarah Kyle, skyle@iastate.edu or call 515-294-7416.
If you have questions regarding this application process, please email employment@iastate.edu or call 515-294-480 or Toll Free: 1-877-477-7485.
Why Choose ISU?
Iowa State Faculty enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental; as well as:
- Retirement benefits, including defined benefit and defined contribution plans
- Generous leave plans
- Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa)
- Life insurance and long-term disability
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- Various voluntary benefits and discounts
- Employee Assistance Program
- Wellbeing program
Job Requisition Number: R17186
About Us
By focusing on the future and providing the best student experience possible, Iowa State University attracts students and faculty who want to make a difference. With a comprehensive land-grant mission of education, research, extension and outreach, we produce scholars whose ideas change the world. And through Innovate at Iowa State, we provide innovative and entrepreneurial opportunities for students of all backgrounds. Located just 30 minutes north of Des Moines, the city of Ames was recently named one of the Top 10 cities in the U.S. for campus life and career opportunities.
Iowa State University is a welcoming community of students, faculty, and staff. Campus community members have a wide range of backgrounds and experiences and are committed to engaging with each other respectfully as outlined in the university's Principles of Community. Iowa State recognizes that diverse intellectual and philosophical perspectives are vital to innovation, critical thinking skills, and a dynamic academic community that fosters the land-grant ideals of putting science, technology, and human creativity to work.
All offers of employment, oral and written, are contingent upon the university’s verification of credentials and other information required by federal and state law, ISU policies/procedures, and may include the completion of a background check and/or a consumer credit check.
Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. Veteran. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies may be directed to Office of Equal Opportunity, 2680 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, Ames, Iowa 50011, Tel. 515-294-7612, email eooffice@iastate.edu
