Assistant/Associate Professor in Urban Studies (Urban Planning/Geography Focus)

Who We Are

The Department of Urban and Environmental Studies at Loyola Marymount University (LMU), a Carnegie-classified R2 institution in the mainstream of American Catholic higher education, seeks outstanding applicants for two tenure-line positions in urban studies who value its mission and share its commitment to inclusive excellence and the building of a just society. LMU is federally recognized as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) and an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI) and is recognized by the State of California as a Black-Serving Institution (BSI). These designations reflect the university's continuing commitment to supporting student success, belonging, and thriving within a diverse academic community. As a Catholic, Jesuit, and Marymount university, LMU values faculty who engage students as whole persons and pursue scholarly work that promotes justice, equity, and the Common Good. The successful candidates will demonstrate a commitment to LMU's teacher-scholar model. A teacher-scholar conducts research and creative work that contributes to the larger body of knowledge while setting an example for the importance of lifelong learning. A teacher-scholar at LMU is dedicated to (1) teaching a diverse student body in a transformative learning environment, (2) developing a thriving portfolio of research and mentoring students, (3) participating in service activities at the academic, professional, and/or community levels, and (4) working toward greater equity, inclusion, belonging, and accessibility for all in the profession.

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Appointment Type and Details

Both positions are tenure-line faculty appointments. Applicants must hold a Ph.D. in urban studies, planning, geography, or a closely related field by the position start date of August 2027. ABD applicants who anticipate completion of the doctorate by August 2027 will also be considered.

Position Responsibilities

The Department of Urban and Environmental Studies invites applications from emerging and established scholars to fill two tenure-line positions in urban studies with expertise in urban planning or urban geography, beginning August 2027. One successful candidate will be appointed at the rank of Assistant Professor, and one will be hired at Assistant or Associate Professor based on experience, qualifications, and demonstrated achievements. The rank determination will be made in accordance with university policies and standards. We seek candidates with a strong background in urban planning and/or urban geography whose research and teaching engage broader questions in contemporary urban studies.

Candidates specializing in one or more of the following areas are especially encouraged to apply: transportation and land use; community development; sustainable urbanism; the intersection of planning with racial and environmental justice; and urban systems and processes in the Global South.

Faculty responsibilities include maintaining an active program of scholarship, teaching and advising undergraduate students, and contributing to department and university service.

Department tenure-track faculty members typically teach on a two-year 2-2-2-3 course rotation (4-unit classes) within a 40% research, 40% teaching, and 20% service model.

The successful candidates will teach lower-division and upper-division courses in urban studies, including introductory, urban planning, and geography courses, depending on departmental need and the candidates’ expertise.

Faculty in these positions will be encouraged to contribute to the LMU Core Curriculum, such as through the development of a First-Year Seminar and/or courses incorporating engaged learning pedagogies.

The Department of Urban and Environmental Studies values collaborative, interdisciplinary, and community-engaged approaches to teaching and research. We seek candidates who are excited to teach and mentor a diverse student body in Los Angeles and who will contribute to LMU's teacher-scholar model through excellent undergraduate teaching, an active research agenda, and innovative forms of student engagement, including collaborative and community-based learning.

Faculty Regular Reasonable expected salary: $92,000.00

Loyola Marymount University, a Carnegie classified R2 institution in the mainstream of American Catholic higher education, seeks outstanding applicants who value its mission and share its commitment to inclusive excellence, the education of the whole person, and the building of a just society.

LMU is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing an environment free from discrimination and harassment as defined by federal, state, and local law. We invite all persons in the full diversity of their being, life experience, and beliefs to apply.

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LMU is committed to providing equal access to employment opportunities and ensuring a comprehensive recruitment and selection process for all applicants. Individuals who require reasonable accommodation to participate in any stage of the application, interview, or selection process may contact Human Resources at or by phone at . Applicants who use relay services or other assistive communication technologies are welcome to utilize those services when contacting Human Resources. When contacting Human Resources, please include the job posting number, title of the position and department for which you are applying. Applicants are not required to disclose the nature of a disability or provide medical information when requesting an accommodation during the recruitment process. LMU will work with applicants in a timely and interactive process to identify and provide reasonable accommodations consistent with applicable federal and state law.

Founded in 1911, Loyola Marymount University is a Carnegie classified R2 institution rooted in the Jesuit and Marymount traditions. We are committed to fostering a diverse academic community rich in opportunity for intellectual engagement and real-world experience. We enroll an academically ambitious, multicultural, and socioeconomically diverse student body. We recruit, retain and support a diverse faculty committed to excellence in teaching, research, scholarship and creativity.

Our three campuses are rooted in the heart of Los Angeles, a global capital for arts and entertainment, innovation and technology, business and entrepreneurship. LMU is a unique and rewarding place to work. As you consider your employment opportunities with our institution, we encourage you to take the time to learn about the university community and how it distinguishes us from other places of employment.

We are proud of the programs, benefits and services we provide our community.

We strive to ensure an inclusive environment in all aspects of campus life that fosters a strong sense of trust and mutual respect.

EEO Statement

Loyola Marymount University is an equal employment opportunity employer and prohibits unlawful discrimination on the basis of race, religious creed (including religious dress and grooming practices), color, national origin (including language and language use restrictions), ancestry, disability (mental and physical) including HIV and AIDS, legally protected medical condition (cancer-related or genetic characteristics), denial of Family and Medical Care Leave, marital status, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding or related medical condition), gender, gender identity, gender expression, age 40 or over, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information or any other bases protected by federal (including but not limited to Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990), state or local law. The University does not discriminate on these bases, or any other basis protected by law, in the administration of any of its education or admissions policies, scholarship or loan programs, athletics, and other school-administered policies and programs, or in its employment policies and practices. All University policies, practices, and procedures are administered in a manner consistent with LMU's Jesuit identity and character.

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