Assistant Professor - Planning and Urban Studies

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Department

Planning and Urban Studies

Job Description

The Division of Planning and Public Affairs at Louisiana State University-New Orleans invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position in Urban and Regional Planning for fall 2027. We seek a teacher-scholar committed to advancing the field of urban and regional planning through impactful research, innovative teaching, and engagement with diverse communities. We welcome applicants from all areas of planning, with particular interest in candidates whose teaching and research include urban design, historic preservation, housing and community development, climate adaptation and environmental planning, transportation planning, or GIS and spatial analytics.

The successful candidate will teach graduate courses in our Planning Accreditation Board (PAB)-accredited Master of Urban and Regional Planning (MURP) program, contribute to curriculum development and student mentoring, and demonstrate excellence in teaching, scholarship, and service. They will also be expected to develop and sustain an active, nationally recognized research agenda with the potential to secure external funding. Faculty in the Division of Planning and Public Affairs are encouraged to pursue interdisciplinary research and collaborate with the Division's research centers, including the Center for Hazards Assessment, Response, and Technology (CHART) and the LSU New Orleans Transportation Institute (UNOTI).

This position is responsible for 9 academic units per semester (3/3) for faculty who maintain an active research agenda. Course releases may be given for robust funded research activities or extensive service responsibilities as appropriate. Responsibilities include teaching graduate and undergraduate courses, and supervising master and doctoral students in Urban and Regional Planning, Urban Studies, and/or Transportation, as well as other courses that are within the candidate’s area of expertise. Administrative duties as assigned. We welcome applicants whose scholarship addresses contemporary planning challenges and who are committed to advancing the urban mission of a growing planning and public affairs division through excellence in research, teaching, and professional engagement.

The Department of Planning and Urban Studies

The Master of Urban and Regional Planning (MURP) program, established in 1974, is Louisiana’s only accredited planning program. Housed in the Department of Planning and Urban Studies (PLUS) within the Division of Planning and Public Affairs (DPPA) in the College of Liberal Arts, Education, and Human Development (COLAEHD), PLUS comprises five interrelated academic programs: the MURP, Bachelor of Science in Urban Studies and Planning, Master of Science in Transportation, Master of Science in Urban Studies, and Ph.D. in Urban Studies. PLUS is also home to the LSU New Orleans Transportation Institute (UNOTI) and the Center for Hazards Assessment, Response & Technology (CHART), which collaborate across disciplines to address critical urban challenges. Through research and community engagement, PLUS advances LSU New Orleans’s mission to enhance quality of life in the New Orleans region, the Gulf South, and beyond.

How to Apply

Please submit:

(1) a curriculum vitae

(2) a letter of interest in the position, noting achievements in publishing, and teaching

(3) a one-page teaching philosophy, and

(4) the names and contact information for three references.

Application review will begin on October 1, 2026 and the review will continue until the position is filled. For full consideration, all required materials should be submitted in the University's application portal, Attn: Chair, Dr. Marla Nelson, by 11:59 PM on September 30, 2026.

Required Qualifications  

• A Ph.D. in Urban and Regional Planning, or a closely related field or be ABD with a clear date of completion.

Desired Qualifications  

• Demonstrated excellence in teaching at the graduate and undergraduate levels in both online teaching as well as in the traditional classroom settings.

• Evidence of an active or emerging research agenda with the potential for external funding and publication in peer-reviewed journals.

Applications that do not include the required uploaded documents may not be considered.

Posting Close Date

This position will remain open until filled.

Note to Applicant:

Applicants should fully describe their qualifications and experience with specific reference to each of the minimum and preferred qualifications in their cover letter. The search committee will use this information during the initial review of application materials.

References will be contacted at the appropriate phase of the recruitment process.

This position may require a criminal background check to be conducted on the candidate(s) selected for hire.

As part of the hiring process, applicants for positions at LSU New Orleans may be required to demonstrate the ability to perform job-related tasks.

LSU New Orleans seeks to recruit a highly productive workforce and will provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and prospective employees. Employment decisions shall be based strictly on merit and without regard to religious or political beliefs, sex, race, or any other non-merit factor.