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.

For more information about our current faculty, please visit Join Our Faculty.

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.

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…