Job Description

The Department of Urban Planning and Community Development (UPCD) at the University of Massachusetts Boston (UMass Boston) seeks to hire a full-time, tenure-track Assistant Professor to serve as the lead scholar for its newly created urban transportation planning and policy-making concentration. Successful candidates must have an earned doctorate in urban planning (a professional planning degree is also preferred), a history of external research funding activity, a strong publication record in leading transportation and related planning journals, a well-thought out teaching strategy and exceptional teaching evaluations if experienced), and a record of successful collaboration with public transportation agencies, commuter organizations, and alternative transportation groups (i.e. bicyclists and pedestrians) on important transportation policy issues.

UPCD was established as a graduate program designed to meet the professional education needs of those working in the urban planning, design, and development sectors of our economy without the benefit of graduate planning degrees. Launched with five students in 2015, UPCD's graduate enrollment has grown to more than forty students. In 2021, UMass Boston added a BA in Community Development Program to UPCD, transforming the unit into the campus's newest academic department. In January 2021, UPCD was granted "Program Candidacy Status" by the Planning Accreditation Board, and in May of 2023 UPCD's MS in Urban Planning and Community Development Program was fully accredited by this national body through December of 2028.

The successful candidate will be expected to design and implement a research agenda that seeks to promote transportation equity within the Greater Boston Region. They will also be expected to teach undergraduate and graduate-courses in the areas of transportation economics/finance, system design and operations, agency management, and transportation policymaking and governance as well as other core planning classes. They will also be asked to work with municipal, regional, state, and federal transportation leaders to create internships that place UMass Boston planning students in challenging planning, policy, finance and management positions with leading public agencies and private firms that are shaping urban transportation decision-making within our region.

Application instructions:

Members of underrepresented groups and those dedicated to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice are strongly encouraged to apply as this is clearly in line with our status as a Minority Serving Institution and an anti-racist University. Interested individuals must initiate the application process by visiting the UMB's Career Portal at: . After completing the University's basic employment application, candidates must upload the following documents:

• Cover letter
• Research and Teaching Statement
• CV
• Complete contact information for three academic references

Application Deadline

For maximum consideration by UPCD Transportation Equity Search Committee, materials should be submitted, via the UMB Employment Portal, by Friday, December 8, 2023 before 12 am (EST).

For More Information

Contact Richard Hung, Associate Professor, Department of Urban Planning and Community Development, School for the Environment, The University of Massachusetts Boston at or 617-287-7378.

UMass Boston is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, we will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations for the hiring process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact the ADA/504 Coordinator or 617-287-5148.