Job ad submitted by: Haifeng Qian, University of Iowa
Job title: Tenure-Track Assistant/Associate Professor in Environmental Planning and Policy (University of Iowa)
Hiring institution: University of Iowa
Location: Iowa City, Iowa | United States
Application deadline: Open until filled
The School of Planning and Public Affairs (SPPA) in the Graduate College at the University of Iowa invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position at the rank of Assistant or Associate Professor of Urban and Regional Planning, with a focus on environmental planning and policy. The appointment will begin in August 2027. The successful candidate will serve as a core faculty member in the School’s Master of Science in Urban and Regional Planning program.
Major responsibilities include conducting research in environmental planning and policy, teaching graduate and undergraduate courses, and advising master’s students. The successful candidate will also be expected to pursue and secure external funding; contribute to national and international scholarship; engage in local, state, and national activities that advance SPPA’s mission; and participate in service activities at the program, school, college, and university levels.
Why Join Us?
At the University of Iowa, you’ll thrive in a collaborative, welcoming, and intellectually rich environment. As a Big Ten, R1 institution, we offer the resources of a major university with the personal connections of a close-knit academic community. Our faculty are supported at every stage of their careers through mentorship, professional development, and leadership opportunities. Located in Iowa City, one of the most livable cities in America, you’ll enjoy a vibrant cultural scene, top-rated schools, and a welcoming community that values creativity, innovation, and work-life integration. Learn more about this community and resources at WorkLife at Iowa.
About the School of Planning and Public Affairs (SPPA)
With over 1,000 alumni, SPPA has provided high-quality professional graduate education in planning for more than 60 years. SPPA’s Master of Science in Urban and Regional Planning program was ranked No. 16 nationally in the 2023 Planetizen Guide to Graduate Urban Planning Programs. In 2020, SPPA launched a new Master of Public Affairs program, which received initial NASPAA accreditation in 2025. Students in both programs take courses taught by internationally recognized faculty and are actively involved in community engagement through SPPA’s Iowa Initiative for Sustainable Communities. SPPA is also home to two undergraduate minors (in public policy and urban studies) and a graduate certificate in transportation.
About the Graduate College
The Graduate College manages the enrollment and degree progress of nearly 5,000 students from over 100 graduate programs in 10 different colleges, spanning the Arts and Humanities, Biological Sciences, Health Sciences, Engineering, Education, Physical Sciences, Social Sciences, and Business. The Graduate College is also home to the International Writing Program, the School of Library and Information Science, the School of Planning and Public Affairs, the University of Iowa Center for the Book, and the University of Iowa Press. The Graduate College has a history of innovation, which serves as a strong foundation for its contemporary initiatives in graduate education. The Graduate College serves as an advocate for graduate education, allocates resources that support graduate students and programs, manages policies and procedures to establish and assess graduate programs, and fosters interdisciplinary programs.
Education Requirement
- The successful candidate must have an earned doctorate in urban planning or a closely related field by the time of appointment.
Required Qualifications
- Expertise in environmental planning and policy
- A record of scholarly productivity and publication, or evidence of the potential for scholarly productivity and publication (commensurate with rank)
- A record of successful teaching in online, hybrid, and/or face-to-face instructional modalities (commensurate with rank)
- A record of, or the potential for, securing internal and external funding for research, training, and/or program development (commensurate with rank)
Desired Qualifications
- Preparation to teach analytical and planning methods courses
- Ability to contribute to SPPA’s Master of Public Affairs program
- Ability to contribute to SPPA’s community engagement activities
Application
To apply, please go to Jobs@UIowa (requisition # 76049): https://jobs.uiowa.edu/faculty/view/76049. Review of applications will begin on October 26, 2026, and continue until the position is filled.
Successful candidates will be required to self-disclose any misconduct history or pending research misconduct investigation, including but not limited to sexual misconduct in prior employment, and provide a related release. Final candidates will be subject to a criminal background and credential check.
The University of Iowa is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment free from discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth and related conditions), disability, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, service in the U.S. military, sexual orientation, or associational preferences.
Persons with disabilities may contact University Human Resources/Faculty and Staff Disability Services, (319) 335-2660 or [email protected], to inquire or discuss accommodation needs.
Prospective employees may review the University Campus Security Policy and the latest annual crime statistics by contacting the Department of Public Safety at 319/335-5022.
Contact
Haifeng Qian, Professor and School Director, [email protected].
