Assistant Professor

A global higher education leader in innovative teaching, research and public service, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill consistently ranks as one of the nation's top public universities. Known for its beautiful campus, world-class medical care, commitment to the arts and top athletic programs, Carolina is an ideal place to teach, work and learn.

One of the best college towns and best places to live in the United States, Chapel Hill has diverse social, cultural, recreation and professional opportunities that span the campus and community.

University employees can choose from a wide range of professional training opportunities for career growth, skill development and lifelong learning and enjoy exclusive perks for numerous retail, restaurant and performing arts discounts, savings on local child care centers and special rates on select campus events. UNC-Chapel Hill offers full-time employees a comprehensive benefits package, paid leave, and a variety of health, life and retirement plans and additional programs that support a healthy work/life balance.
Economies work well when everyone can participate, prosper, and reach their full potential. For this to happen, planners need to understand how communities, businesses, workers, institutional actors, technologies and regulatory structures interact within in local economies and wider spheres to create shared prosperity and economic benefits for all. A well-resourced economy is also well positioned to drive new innovations in support of healthier, resilient and more environmentally sustainable communities. The Department of City & Regional Planning has long been a national leader in economic development and has strong connections with public administration and business administration programs within the university. Strong historical connections exist with applied economic centers on campus and economic organizations across the state and beyond, such as NC Growth, the Development Finance Initiative, The World Bank, IADB, WRI, Oxfam, the Ford Foundation, International Economic Development Council, NC Department of Commerce, Self-Help Credit Union, the NC Justice Center, NC Economic Development Association and several local economic development organizations. The department seeks scholars who can nurture and expand these connections. We seek an emerging scholar with strong conceptual and quantitative grounding in economic and workforce development planning. The candidate should have an active research program, ideally but not exclusively, at the intersection of jobs, technological change, organization of work, and innovative institutional structures that shape these processes and are shaped by them. The research should contribute to supporting vibrant, just, and resilient local and regional economies. In addition to research, the candidates are expected to teach core courses in the specialization such as Economic Development Techniques (quantitative methods) and Planning for Jobs among others. They are also expected to contribute to the curriculum by teaching First Year Seminars for undergraduates and developing courses in workforce development that are attractive to students in the department and allied fields.

The Department of City and Regional Planning is an academic unit within the College of Arts and Sciences. The Department engages in teaching, primarily at the graduate level; conducts applied research on urban and regional issues; and serves the state, nation, and planning profession. The department offers a Masters in City and Regional Planning, a PhD, and an undergraduate minor. In any given year there are about 85 Masters students enrolled, 35 doctoral students and a growing cadre of undergraduates and students enrolled in dual degree programs. The faculty consists of 22 core faculty consisting of tenure-track faculty members and full-time teaching faculty along with part-time practitioners and researchers all of whom are active in the teaching and research programs of the department. The faculty usually generates over $3.0 million annually through research and training grants.

The tenure-track Assistant Professor will allocate effort approximately as follows: 40% teaching, 40% research, and 20% service. The position carries a two-course teaching load each semester during the fall and spring terms. Teaching assignments will be based on the candidate's expertise and departmental needs. The position will conduct rigorous research using appropriate methodologies, including a variety of quantitative and/or qualitative methods. The Assistant Professor will conduct service that includes, but is not limited to search committees, review committees and administrative roles within the department and/or College.

Ph.D. in Planning or related fields. (Ph.D. should be received by the start date of the appointment (July 1, 2027).

Demonstrated commitment to teaching, mentoring, and training students at all levels and to work with a diverse student body; strong research and teaching records; ability to develop or extend or record of scholarly contributions.

The application should include a cover letter, curriculum vitae (that explicitly states fields of specialization and grounding in economic and workforce development planning), statements of research and teaching interests, 1 representative paper, graduate transcript and a list of four professional references. Four professional references need to be identified by the applicant and their contact information (names, titles, email addresses) should be provided. Referees should be able to comment on the applicants teaching ability. At the time of application, candidates will be required to identify the names, titles, and email addresses of four professional references. For a limited selection of applicants, recommenders identified by the applicant will be contacted via the application portal with instructions for uploading their letters of support. We will begin considering candidates on October 1. For questions related to the application process, please contact the department at DCRP_HR@unc.edu; the department address is Department of City and Regional Planning, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, CB# 3140, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3140 and the web address is https://planning.unc.edu/

If you experience any problems accessing the system or have questions about the application process, please contact the University's Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost office at (919)-962-1091 or send an email to facultyrecruitment@unc.edu.

Please note: The Executive Vice Chancellor & Provost office will not be able to provide specific updates regarding position or application status.

If you have any questions about the job requirements or the hiring department notify the Department Contact.

The University is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all to apply without regard to age, color, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.