Assistant Professor, Tenure-Track

Acsp; East Lansing (MI); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Michigan State University invites applications for a tenure-system Assistant Professor in the Urban and Regional Planning Program within MSU's SPDC. This 9-month appointment emphasizes 30% research, 45% teaching, 15% outreach, and 10% service, with a focus on AI, big-data, and resilient community planning.

The successful candidate will secure funded research, publish peer‑reviewed work, and mentor students while building a national, community‑engaged program and collaborating with SPDC's Urban

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Urban and Regional Planning, City and Regional Planning, Environmental Planning, or closely related field.
• At least one graduate degree from a US-accredited program.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrate the ability to secure funded research and publish peer‑reviewed scholarship.
• Mentor undergraduate and graduate students in innovative, interdisciplinary research.
• Establish and lead a nationally recognized, community‑engaged research program.
• Integrate research with SPDC's Urban Collaborators initiative and MSU Extension to impact Michigan communities.

Education

Ph.D. in Urban and Regional Planning or closely related field from US-accredited program

Master's degree (or doctoral degree) from an accredited program in the United States

Job description

The Urban and Regional Planning Program in the School of Planning, Design and Construction (SPDC) at Michigan State University (MSU) invites applications for a tenure-system faculty position at the rank of Assistant Professor. This is an academic year (9-month) appointment with a 30% research, 45% teaching, 15% outreach, and 10% service assignment.

The successful candidate will contribute to the School's vision of creating sustainable and healthy built, natural, and virtual environments. We are seeking candidates whose work advances community-engaged, data-informed, and resilient community planning, with an emphasis on applying emerging methods and technologies to complex planning challenges. We are especially interested in a candidate whose teaching and research incorporates AI and big-data applications to topics such as Transportation, infrastructure, and energy planning; Climate resilience and disaster planning; Urban and community design; or Community-engaged planning and development.

The candidate should demonstrate the ability to secure funded research, publish peer-reviewed scholarship, and mentor undergraduate and graduate students in innovative and interdisciplinary research. The position is expected to establish a nationally recognized community-engaged research program that contributes particularly to SPDC's core scholarly areas of Climate-Resilient Communities and Adaptation, Housing Innovation and Community Development, Healthy Environments for Human Well-Being, and Environmental and Social Impact.

A distinctive component of the position will be its integration with SPDC's Urban Collaborators initiative and MSU Extension. The successful candidate will leverage these partnerships to identify meaningful research questions, develop long-term community collaborations, pursue external funding, and generate both scholarly publications and applied community outcomes. This integration of research and outreach will strengthen SPDC's interdisciplinary impact while advancing MSU's land-grant mission through scholarship that directly benefits Michigan communities.

Required qualifications:

Candidates must hold a Ph.D. in Urban and Regional Planning, City and Regional Planning, Environmental Planning, or a closely related field. At least one of the candidate's graduate degrees, either a master's or doctoral degree, must be from an accredited program in the United States.

All required degrees must be conferred before the start date. Ability to teach within the Urban and Regional Planning core curriculum is essential.

Desired qualifications:

Professional planning experience and/or AICP certification is welcomed. Experience in community-engaged research, externally funded projects, interdisciplinary collaboration, and partnerships with communities, public agencies, Extension, or other external organizations is desirable. The candidate should also demonstrate strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively across academic disciplines and with community partners.