Knight Professorship of Public Policy

Position Overview

The Knight Professorship of Public Policy is a full‑time, tenured faculty position in the College of Humanities & Earth and Social Sciences at the University of North Carolina  faculty member will begin on August 10, 2026.

Apply online at (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). (position # 006936). Submit the following materials:

• Letter of interest discussing your professional qualifications and how you would contribute to the program, college, and university’s research, teaching, and service mission.
• Curriculum vitae.
• Names of three references (confidential letters of reference will be requested later for selected candidates).

Complete applications must be received by January 31, 2026. Questions should be directed to Greg Weeks, Search Committee Chair (gbweeks).

The University of North Carolina at Charlotte is committed to equality of educational and employment opportunity and does not discriminate against applications, students, or employees based on any protected status. The candidate chosen for the position will be subject to a criminal background check and will be required to provide official transcripts of their highest‑earned degree upon hire.

The Knight Professor will serve as a catalyst for studying critical regional needs in Charlotte and other rapidly growing urban areas in the southeastern United States, focusing on transportation, growth management, economic development, health, education, economic mobility, sustainability, environmental issues, and energy policy.

Responsibilities include:

• Teaching, advising, and curriculum development for undergraduate and graduate courses and for the interdisciplinary Public Policy Ph.D. program, including mentoring doctoral students.
• Conducting scholarly research, publishing, and pursuing extramural funding to expand knowledge in the discipline.
• Engaging in service to the university, public, and profession through administrative governance, public service, and professional activities.
• Acting as a faculty affiliate with the UNC Charlotte Urban Institute, collaborating on applied research and community outreach.

• Earned doctorate or terminal degree in the teaching discipline or a related discipline.

• Ph.D. in a social science discipline, with preference for Political Science.
• Current status as a tenured full professor.
• Exceptional record of scholarly accomplishment with significant national and/or international stature.
• Record of success in teaching, advising, and mentoring students of all backgrounds in higher education.
• Interest in fostering engagement and dialogue among departments in the College and across the University.
• Scholarly agenda with a public‑facing dimension capable of attracting interest from and engaging the Charlotte community and region.

Hiring is subject to budget availability.