Assistant Professor in Urban and Regional Planning

AAG; San Marcos (TX); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Texas State University’s Department of Geography and Environmental Studies invites applications for a tenure-track assistant professor position in Urban and Regional Planning to begin Fall 2027. We seek an urban geographer or planner whose research will expand our strengths in urban planning, GIScience, and applied geography.

Responsibilities include establishing an externally visible research program, teaching undergraduate and graduate courses, mentoring students, and contributing service to

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in geography, urban and regional planning, or urban studies by appointment.
• Demonstrated peer-reviewed scholarship.
• Ability to develop a strong research agenda and teach urban geography at undergrad and grad levels.

Responsibilities

• Establish an externally visible research program.
• Teach undergraduate and graduate courses in urban geography.
• Mentor students and contribute service to the department and university.

Skills

Urban planning

GIScience

Academic collaboration

Education

Ph.D. in geography, urban and regional planning, or urban studies

Tools

GIS software

Job description

The Department of Geography and Environmental Studies at Texas State University invites applications for a tenure-track assistant professor position in Urban and Regional Planning to begin Fall 2027. We seek an urban geographer or planner whose research will expand and complement the department’s existing strengths in urban and regional planning, applied environmental geography, and GIScience. Areas of specialization are open, but may include urban infrastructure systems, planning and public policy, comparative urbanization, housing and finance, or related areas.

The successful candidate will be expected to establish an active, externally visible research program; seek external research support; publish in high-quality scholarly outlets; teach undergraduate and graduate courses in urban geography and related areas; mentor undergraduate and graduate students; and contribute service to the department, university, discipline, and broader community.

Required Qualifications:

• A Ph.D. degree in geography, urban and regional planning, or urban studies by time of appointment.
• A demonstrated record of peer-reviewed scholarship.
• Demonstrated or potential ability to develop a strong research agenda.
• Demonstrated or potential ability to teach urban geography courses at undergraduate and graduate levels.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Applied research interests in urban planning, urban infrastructure management, comparative urbanization, or housing and finance.
• Demonstrated record of securing external research funding.
• Demonstrated ability to advise graduate students in urban geography or urban planning.

To be considered in the initial pool of candidates, complete applications must be received no later than November 22, 2026. Complete applications received after this date will only be considered if no viable candidates are identified and hired from the initial pool. This position will remain open until filled. All positions are subject to availability of funds.

A complete application must include the materials listed below:

• A letter of application outlining the applicant’s research credentials, plan for extramural funding, teaching experience, and career goals that meets the required and preferred qualifications as stated above.
• An up-to-date curriculum vitae.
• Unofficial transcripts (all in one document).
• One sample of published scholarship.
• Reports of teaching evaluations (if available).
• Names and contact information for three reference letters. References will be contacted for applicants that advance past the initial application review.

The Department of Geography and Environmental Studies at Texas State University (https://www.geo.txstate.edu/) has 36 full-time faculty members, around 500 undergraduate majors in BA and BS programs and over 130 graduate students in our Master of Science (MS), Master of Applied Geography (MAG), and PhD programs in geography, geographic education, and geographic information science. The Department of Geography is part of the College of Liberal Arts. To learn more about the department, please visit: https://www.geo.txstate.edu.

Texas State University is located in San Marcos, a city of about 75,000 residents situated in the beautiful Central Texas Hill Country, 30 miles south of Austin and 48 miles north of San Antonio. The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching classifies Texas State University as a “Doctoral University: Higher Research Activity,” the second-highest designation for research institutions in the United States. Texas State University is located in the burgeoning Austin-San Antonio corridor, and with ~44,000 students, is among the largest universities in the state. With a diverse campus community including 50% of the student body from ethnic minorities, Texas State University is one of the top 13 producers of Hispanic baccalaureate graduates in the nation. Additional information about Texas State University and its nationally recognized academic programs is available at www.txstate.edu.