Assistant Professor in the Department of City & Metropolitan Planning

Posting Details

The University of Utah, an AA/EO employer, encourages applications from all qualified individuals, and provides reasonable accommodation to the known disabilities of applicants and employees. The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students, staff, faculty and patients from all backgrounds and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education, employment opportunities, and quality healthcare for historically underrepresented groups.

Position Information

Proposed Faculty Rank Assistant Professor Department 00659 - City & Metropolitan Planning City Salt Lake City, UT Track Tenure Track New Position to Begin 7/1/27 Details

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.

EEO/Non-Discrimination Information

The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education.

Veterans' preference is extended to qualified applicants, upon request and consistent with University policy and Utah state law. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities.

Consistent with state and federal law, the University of Utah does not discriminate based upon race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, or protected veteran's status. The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and 34 CFR part 106. The requirement not to discriminate in education programs or activities extends to admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and its regulations may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, to the Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, or both.

To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability or if you or someone you know has experienced discrimination or sexual misconduct including sexual harassment, you may contact the Director/Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX (OEO). More information, including the Director/Title IX Coordinator's office address, electronic mail address, and telephone number, can be located at https://www.utah.edu/nondiscrimination/.

Online reports may be submitted at https://oeo.utah.edu.

Notice

The University is a participating employer with Utah Retirement Systems ("URS"). Eligible new hires with prior URS service may elect to enroll in URS if they make the election before they become eligible for retirement (usually the first day of work). Contact Human Resources at (801) 581-7447 for information. Individuals who previously retired and are receiving monthly retirement benefits from URS are subject to URS' post-retirement rules and restrictions. Please contact Utah Retirement Systems at (801) 366-7770 or (800) 695-4877 or University Human Resource Management at (801) 581-7447 if you have questions regarding the post-retirement rules.

This position may require the successful completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen.

https://publicsafety.utah.edu/safetyreport/

This report includes statistics about criminal offenses, hate crimes, arrests and referrals for disciplinary action, and Violence Against Women Act offenses. They also provide information about safety and security-related services offered by the University of Utah. A paper copy can be obtained by request at the Department of Public Safety located at 1658 East 500 South.

Special Instructions for Candidates

Required Documents:

• 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.

Open Date 09/15/2026 Close Date Open Until Filled Yes Requisition Number PRN01586CF Type Faculty

Posting Specific Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

• Curriculum Vitae
• Teaching Statement
• Research Statement
• List of References
• Personal Statement

Optional Documents

• Historical Only - Do Not Use - See Description for More Information - Appropriate discharge document (such as DD-2214) - Veteran Only
• Historical Only - Do Not Use - See Document Description for More Information - Addendum to the University of Utah - Veteran Only