Assistant Professor: Design & Urban Transformation, University of California Ber

Job description

Location University of California Berkeley, USA

Salary range: The current salary range for this position is $80,800 – $128,700 (9-month academic year salary); however, off-scale salary and other components of pay, which would yield compensation that is higher than this range, are offered to meet competitive conditions.

Anticipated start: July 1, 2026

Application Window

Next review date: Saturday, Nov 1, 2025 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time).

Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date: Saturday, Nov 1, 2025 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time).

Applications will continue to be accepted until this date.

Overview

The Department of City and Regional Planning (DCRP) invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position in “Design and Urban Transformation” at the rank of Assistant Professor, with an expected start date of July 1, 2026.

DCRP is seeking a colleague who will contribute to charting new intellectual territory and reimagining urban design to confront 21st century challenges.

Design-related questions have never been more central to cities and urban planning.

Pressing challenges like rapid urbanization, deindustrialization and shrinkage, climate change, growing needs for public space, changes in the nature of planning participation and democratization, and housing and homelessness demand new design frameworks and methods.

We seek a scholar whose research engages highly creative and forward-thinking methods to address these contemporary urban challenges.

The ideal candidate would open up new directions for urban design by pushing the boundaries of traditional design fields and/or through interdisciplinary approaches.

We are open to scholars from fields including urban planning, urban design, public policy, the social sciences, engineering, the environmental sciences, and data science.

Scholars whose research is based in diverse geographical areas also are encouraged to apply.

The Department has 16 faculty members, is highly ranked nationally and is particularly well known for its MCP and PhD graduates.

For more information about DCRP see

Qualifications

Basic qualifications (required at time of application) Applicants must have a Ph.D. (or equivalent international degree), or be enrolled in a Ph.D. or equivalent international degree‑granting program at the time of application.

Additional qualifications (required at time of start) Successful applicants should be able to teach core classes in the master’s, doctoral and undergraduate programs, including interdisciplinary design studios, research methods courses, and courses on the history and theory of urban form and planning.

Successful applicants should have the capacity to teach and mentor students from a broad range of backgrounds and disciplines.

Preferred qualifications The successful applicants are expected to develop a nationally or internationally recognized research program in urban design as applied to topics in the field of urban planning.

We seek rising or established leaders from diverse fields including urban planning, urban design, landscape architecture, architecture, engineering, and data science.

Candidates should demonstrate evidence of strong research productivity given their career stage, and a commitment to excellence in teaching and mentoring of undergraduates and graduate students.

We are particularly interested in scholars with the ability to support the success of all students through inclusive curriculum, classroom environment, and pedagogy.

Application Requirements

Document requirements

• Curriculum Vitae – Your most recently updated C.V.
• Cover Letter – Explain the reasons for your interest in and alignment with the position.
  
  
• Statement of Research – Please discuss research accomplishments and proposed plans.
  
  This can include, for example, your publication record, awards, presentations, inclusive research practices that promote the excellence of your research, and areas for future research.
  
  
• Statement of Teaching and Mentoring – Please discuss prior teaching experience, teaching approach, and future teaching interests.
  
  This can include, for example, specific efforts and accomplishments, and future plans to support the success of all students through inclusive curriculum, classroom environment, and pedagogy.
  
  Please also discuss your mentoring experiences and approach.
  
  This can include, for example, past efforts and future plans to support the success of all students, and to foster an inclusive research environment that removes barriers and promotes equitable access and advancement of the research program.
  
  
• Statement of Service – Please discuss specific prior and proposed academic, professional and/or public service activities.
  
  This can include, for example, participating in professional or scientific associations, serving on committees that advance department, campus or discipline goals, and conducting outreach activities that can remove barriers and increase participation of academics in your field.
  
  
• Publication One – Copy of a publication or work-in-progress such as journal articles, book chapters, dissertation chapters, or other appropriate products.
  
  
• Publication Two – Copy of a publication or work-in-progress such as journal articles, book chapters, dissertation chapters, or other appropriate products.
  
  
• Publication Three – Copy of a publication or work-in-progress such as journal articles, book chapters, dissertation chapters, or other appropriate products.
  
  
• Authorization to Release Information Form – A reference check will be completed only if you are selected as the candidate to whom the hiring unit would like to extend a formal offer.
  
  Download, complete, sign, and upload the Authorization to Release Information form.
  
  

UC Berkeley is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in our public mission of research, teaching, and service, consistent with UC Regents Policy 4400 and University of California Academic Personnel policy (APM 210 1-d).

These values are embedded in our Principles of Community, which reflect our passion for critical inquiry, debate, discovery and innovation, and our deep commitment to contributing to a better world.

Every member of the UC Berkeley community has a role in sustaining a safe, caring and humane environment in which these values can thrive.

The University of California, Berkeley is an Equal Opportunity employer.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status.

For more information, please refer to the University of California’s Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment Policy and the University of California’s Anti-Discrimination Policy.

In searches when letters of reference are required all letters will be treated as confidential per University of California policy and California state law.

Please refer potential referees, including when letters are provided via a third party (i.e., dossier service or career center), to the UC Berkeley statement of confidentiality prior to submitting their letter.

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time.

Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.

The University of California is committed to creating and maintaining a community dedicated to the advancement, application, and transmission of knowledge and creative endeavors through academic excellence, where all individuals who participate in University programs and activities can work and learn together in a safe and secure environment, free of violence, harassment, or discrimination.

Consistent with this commitment, UC Berkeley requires all applicants for Senate faculty positions to complete, sign, and upload an Authorization of Information Release form into AP Recruit as part of their application.

If an applicant does not include the signed authorization, the application will be considered incomplete, and as with any incomplete application, will not receive further consideration.

Although all applicants for faculty recruitments must complete the entire application, applicants will only be subject to institutional reference checks if and when they are selected as the candidate to whom the hiring unit would like to extend a formal offer.

More information is available on this website.

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct.

• “Misconduct” means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant’s previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment or discrimination, as defined by the employer.
  
  
• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
• UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
• APM – 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment

Required Skill Profession

Postsecondary Teachers