Description
Tenure Track Assistant Professor in Housing and/or Economic Development
The Department of City & Metropolitan Planning at the University of Utah seeks to fill a tenure-track position at the Assistant Professor level to begin in Fall 2027. We invite applicants with interest in housing and/or economic development, including planning for social justice or in underserved communities. Of particular interest to the Department are candidates with expertise in mixed methods, quantitative, and/or geospatial approaches. Candidates with expertise in other methodological approaches are also welcome to apply. Candidates may have research interests in the U.S. or internationally and should demonstrate an interest in developing a research program focused on Utah and the Intermountain West, including the region’s small towns and rural communities. A doctoral degree in planning or a related field is required by July 1, 2027.
Qualifications: Applicants should hold a doctoral degree in urban and regional planning or a related field by July 1, 2027, and hold interest in housing and/or economic development. Commensurate with their level of experience, candidates must demonstrate an excellent record of research publications, a strong potential for securing competitive external funding, and a commitment to excellence in teaching and mentoring students.
Expectations: Successful candidates are expected to develop and maintain an ongoing program of scholarly research. They should demonstrate the ability to produce high-quality scholarship while fostering interdisciplinary collaborations. Successful candidates are expected to teach in-person courses and provide mentorship across the BA/BS in Urban Ecology, Master’s in City & Metropolitan Planning and PhD in Metropolitan Planning, Policy and Design curriculum to students on the Salt Lake City Campus. Candidates will also be expected to contribute to department, college, university and professional service.
Review of applications will begin on November 1, 2026. Inquiries regarding the position may be directed to the Search Committee Chair, Dr. C. Aujean Lee (aujean.lee@utah.edu), with the subject header, “CMP Assistant Professor Posting.
Qualified applicants must submit:
A maximum 2-page cover letter explaining interest in the position;
Curriculum vitae;
A maximum 2-page research statement addressing current and future interests;
A maximum 2-page teaching statement including philosophy, experience, interests, and approach to student mentorship;
A list of three references. References will not be contacted prior to receiving the candidate’s consent to contact.
Candidates may be asked to provide additional information during the search process.
About the Department of City & Metropolitan Planning:
The successful candidate will join a dynamic group of engaged faculty members who are recognized leaders in their fields and highly value collaboration and collegiality. This person will also benefit from the University of Utah’s strong commitment to sustainability and interdisciplinary initiatives.
The Department’s BA/BS undergraduate degree in Urban Ecology focuses on exploring the interrelationships among social, environmental, and economic systems, aiming to enhance the vitality and sustainability of places and communities. The Urban Ecology degree is also taught at the Utah Asia Campus in Songdo, South Korea. The Master of City and Metropolitan Planning (MCMP) is an accredited professional degree emphasizing ecological resiliency, smart growth, and social justice through effective communication, collaboration, and innovation. The Ph.D. in Metropolitan Planning, Policy, and Design is a research-focused program that trains academic leaders of the future. The department also offers a Master of Real Estate Development (with School of Business) and Graduate Certificates in Urban Design, Community Engaged Practices, and Real Estate Development. Applicants are encouraged to consult the department website at https://plan.cap.utah.edu/.
The Department of City & Metropolitan Planning is committed to building a welcoming intellectual community and encourages applicants of all racial/ethnic groups, genders, backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives to apply.
About the College of Architecture and Planning:
The University of Utah College of Architecture and Planning (CA+P) is a community of award-winning faculty, entrepreneurial students, and support staff that together form a creative community unlike any other. The College is home to four academic units: the School of Architecture, the Department of City and Metropolitan Planning, the Division of Games, and the Division of Multi-Disciplinary Design, as well as multiple research centers and collaboratives. Across these units are top-ranked academic programs, outstanding researchers with a strong commitment to addressing defining issues of our time, and a record of unsurpassed societal impact. As part of a campus that values innovation and interdisciplinarity, the College is transforming its disciplines and training graduates to become leaders and changemakers in the built and virtual environments globally. More information is available at cap.utah.edu.
About the University:
The University of Utah (the U) is the state’s flagship institution of higher education, with 18 schools and colleges, more than 100 undergraduate and 90 graduate degree programs, and an enrollment of more than 38,500 students. In 2019, the University joined the Association of American Universities, an invitation-only, prestigious group of 65 leading research institutions marked by excellence in academic expertise and research impact, student success, and securing resources in support of core missions, which are focused on serving the increasingly diverse student population at the U. As of Fall 2024, 25% of students identified as first generation and 28% of domestic incoming freshmen were students of color.
The U is classified as having “highest research activity” (R-1 classification) by the Carnegie Foundation and is a member of the University Innovation Alliance, a coalition of 17 top public research universities dedicated to student success and innovation. In 2023, the University was ranked as the #1 public university in the West and #8 among public universities in the nation by The Wall Street Journal.
The U is located in Salt Lake City, one of the most dynamic and fastest growing metropolitan areas in the U.S. The city is uniquely situated to offer both unmatched outdoor and exciting urban experiences, with mountain vistas only a few steps away and vast red-rock desert landscapes within reach of a scenic afternoon drive. Additionally, the Utah Asia Campus was established in 2014 and is located in the Songdo International Business District in South Korea. Students attending the Utah Asia Campus find the same world-class U.S. academic experience offered at the campus in Salt Lake City.
Apply here: https://utah.peopleadmin.com/postings/209889
