Endowed Chair in Textile/Fashion Design, Department of Design, UC Davis

The Department of Design at UC Davis is pleased to announce an exciting opportunity for an accomplished scholar and leader to join our faculty as the Endowed Chair in Textile/Fashion Design, with the rank of Associate/Full Professor. This prestigious position is dedicated to advancing innovative sustainable practices within textile/fashion design and research. The ideal candidate will possess a robust record of interdisciplinary research and creative scholarship, demonstrated success in securing extramural funding, and recognized leadership within the field of textile/fashion design. As an Endowed Chair, the candidate will play a pivotal role in fostering interdisciplinary research collaborations, establishing meaningful partnerships with industry, technology transfer and developing impactful educational programs that resonate with UC Davis's mission and community.

The successful candidate will possess a Ph.D. or terminal degree in textile/fashion design or a closely related field. We seek a candidate who has demonstrated thought leadership in sustainability of textiles/fashion with a strong record of research and creative scholarship excellence, evidenced by impactful publications and exhibitions and a record of securing extramural funding. The ability to teach a combination of practice-based studio classes and large lecture courses at both undergraduate and graduate levels will be essential to the role, as will be the candidate's ability to cultivate partnerships with industry, engage with the community, and foster interdisciplinary collaborations with other academic departments across the UC Davis campus, such as those in the sciences, engineering, and health fields. Candidates should also demonstrate a strong commitment to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion through research, teaching, and community engagement.

Preferred qualities for this position include knowledge in theory, history, culture, sociology, psychology of textiles and fashion and evidence of a global perspective. The candidate should also possess strong interpersonal skills, the ability to work collegially and collaboratively with faculty and staff within the Department of Design, and a willingness to assume a leadership role at UC Davis in sustainable textiles and design.

The UC Davis Department of Design, which includes the UC Davis Design Museum and the California Lighting Technology Center, is the only comprehensive academic design unit in the University of California system, one of the world’s leading public universities. The program offers a research-focused curriculum combining theoretical and humanistic study with innovation and practice.

Candidates begin the application process by registering online at

Submit a letter of interest, a CV, a brief statement of research plans and vision for the future of fashion and textile design, a brief statement of teaching philosophy along with descriptions of courses taught and/or proposed, a brief statement of diversity, images of creative works including examples of student work, an Authorization to Release Information Form, a Statement of Contributions to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in addition to names and contact details for four references.

Review of applications begins March 17, 2025 and continues until the position is filled. Appointment commences July 1, 2025.

Questions about the position may be addressed to Prof. Gozde Goncu Berk at ggoncuberk@ucdavis.edu.

• A Ph.D. or terminal degree in textile/fashion design or a closely related field.
• A strong record of research and creative practice excellence, evidenced by impactful publications and exhibitions, and extramural funding record.
• A history of practice-based innovation in textile/fashion design and a strong portfolio showcasing practice-based creative work.
• Demonstrated leadership in sustainability within the textile/fashion design field.
• Experience in developing and teaching undergraduate and graduate level courses with ability to teach a combination of practice-based studio classes and large lecture courses.
• Ability to develop partnerships with industry, community, and interdisciplinary collaborations with other academic departments across campus such as the sciences, engineering and health.
• Commitment to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion through research, teaching, and community engagement.
• An ability to work collegially and collaboratively with faculty and staff in the Department of Design, with the potential to assume a leadership role at UC Davis in fashion and textile design.

• Knowledge in Theory, History, Culture, Sociology, Psychology of Textiles and Fashion
• Evidence of a global perspective

• Letter of interest - Identifying interest in and qualifications for the position

• Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V. including creative projects / publications

• Statement of research plans and vision for the future of fashion and textile design

• Statement of teaching philosophy - Portfolio of teaching consisting of no more than 15 examples of work. Please include descriptions of courses taught and / or proposed

• Images of creative works - Portfolio of scholarship consisting of no more than 15 examples of work that includes original designs, creative practice, and research papers

• Statement of Contributions to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion - Contributions to diversity, equity, and inclusion documented in the application file will be used to evaluate applicants. Visit

• Authorization to Release Information Form - This form is required for all applicants applying to academic recruitments. Please see the Employment Disclosure Requirements webpage for more information. Download, complete, sign, and upload the form:

• Miscellaneous materials (Optional)

• 4 required (contact information only)

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct, are currently being investigated for misconduct, left a position during an investigation for alleged misconduct, or have filed an appeal with a previous employer.

• “Misconduct” means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant’s previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer.
• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
• UC Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, Students and Third Parties
• APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment

To implement this process, UC Davis requires all applicants for any open search to complete, sign, and upload the form entitled, "Authorization to Release Information" into UC RECRUIT as part of their application. If an applicant does not include the signed authorization with the application materials, the application will be considered incomplete, and as with any incomplete application, will not receive further consideration.

UC Davis is a smoke and tobacco-free campus (

We are an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer, and particularly encourage applications from members of historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQ community members, and others who demonstrate the ability to help us achieve our vision of a diverse and inclusive community.

The University of California 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, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories covered by the UC nondiscrimination policy.

For the University of California's Affirmative Action Policy, please visit:

For the University of California's Anti-Discrimination Policy, please visit:

Under Federal law, the University of California may employ only individuals who are legally able to work in the United States as established by providing documents as specified in the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. Certain UC Davis positions funded by federal contracts or sub-contracts require the selected candidate to pass an E-Verify check. More information is available at:

The University of California, Davis (UC Davis) is committed to inclusive excellence by advancing equity, diversity and inclusion in all that we do. UC Davis celebrates the multi-cultural diversity of its community by creating a welcoming and inclusive environment demonstrated through a variety of resources and programs available to academics, staff, and students. Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are core values of UC Davis that are embedded within our Principles of Community and are tied with how to best serve our student population. Our excellence in research, teaching, and service can best be fully realized by members of our academic community who share our commitment to these values, which are included in our Diversity and Inclusion Strategic Vision, our strategic plan: “To Boldly Go,” our Principles of Community, the Office of Academic Affairs’ Mission Statement, and the UC Board of Regents Policy 4400: Policy on University of California Diversity Statement. UC Davis is making important progress towards our goal of achieving federal designation as a Hispanic-Serving Institution and an Asian American, Native American, and Pacific Islander-Serving Institution. The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion offers a plethora of resources on their website, and the Office of Health Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (HEDI) has outlined similar goals in their "Anti-Racism and DEI Action Plan.” There are a plethora of links available on the About Us webpage where you can learn more about our Administration, Diversity and Inclusion, Rankings, Locations, Native American Land Acknowledgement, Sustainability, Visiting UC Davis, UC Davis Health, and Campus Safety.

The university is consistently ranked among the top institutions in the world for campus sustainability practices by the UI Green Metric World University Rankings. UC Davis is focused on achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions and repeatedly shown its commitment to preserving a healthy and sustainable environment for generations to come.

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.