The School of Public Affairs (SPA) in the Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions at Arizona State University (ASU) is conducting a search for a tenure-track faculty position at the Assistant Professor level with a specialization in public budgeting and finance. This is a full- time, benefits-eligible, academic-year (9-month) faculty position that will begin in August 2025. We are open to all public budgeting and finance scholars, broadly defined. Scholars with an applied focus in areas such as – but not limited to – health policy, emergency management, environmental policy, public-sector economics and/or social policy are especially encouraged to apply. We will consider any candidate who is eligible for appointment as a tenure-track assistant professor in August 2025 (e.g., current ABDs, recently completed Ph.D., postdoctoral scholars, current assistant professors). The successful candidate will demonstrate the ability to produce novel, high-impact research that enhances the national and international reputation of SPA and ASU. Before applying, applicants should review information about the School of Public Affairs at https://spa.asu.edu.

About the School of Public Affairs

SPA has a rich and active culture that strongly values research. Our faculty are productive, and collaborative. They have deep and broad expertise in a range of areas across public policy and public administration. As a result, SPA is ranked #13 in the nation by US News and World Report, and #5 in the U.S. by Shanghai Global Ranking of Academic Subjects. In addition, US News and World Report ranks SPA top 20 in ten different subfields, including #16 in Public Finance and Budgeting, #3 in Local Government Management, and #9 in Urban Policy. Our breadth means we offer degrees at all levels and in multiple modalities. These include a BS in Public Service and Public Policy, a Masters degree in Public Administration (with a concentration in Public Finance), and a PhD in Public Administration and Policy.

SPA is located in the heart of downtown Phoenix, the fifth largest city in the United States. The School is within walking distance of Arizona’s State Capitol, Phoenix’s City Hall, and myriad restaurants, hotels, and other cultural amenities. Our values, reputation, and location enable us to attract a growing and diverse array of students motivated by the promise of public service and drawn to the unique opportunity of an interdisciplinary public affairs education. For more information about the School of Public Affairs, please visit our website at https://spa.asu.edu.

Our Commitment to Inclusive Excellence

The School of Public Affairs actively seeks and supports a faculty committed to inclusion and access.  As a Hispanic Serving Institution and home to the highest number of international students, we are proud to serve a diverse student body including a high percentage who are the first in their families to go to college or are veterans. We seek applicants who have experience teaching, mentoring, and developing research in ways that effectively address individuals from historically underrepresented backgrounds. 

Job Duties

• Teach undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral courses in person, online and hybrid.
• Advise and mentor students.
• Maintain and strengthen a record of scholarly productivity as demonstrated through peer-reviewed publications, external funding, and presentations at national conferences.
• Provide service contributions to the school, college, university and profession.

All we do at ASU is guided and inspired by the University Charter, which reads:

ASU is a comprehensive public research university, measured not by whom it excludes, but by whom it includes and how they succeed; advancing research and discovery of public value; and assuming fundamental responsibility for the economic, social, cultural and overall health of the communities it serves.

Successful candidates will demonstrate throughout their materials how their teaching, research, and service will contribute to the fulfillment of this charter.

Required Qualifications

• A PhD in public policy, public administration, economics, or another related field, by time of appointment.
• Strong evidence of a research agenda (including dissertation and/or published journal articles) in public budgeting and finance, broadly defined.
• Consistent with ASU’s Charter, a demonstrated commitment to inclusion.

Desired Qualifications

• Potential or demonstrated excellence in publishing (e.g., top-tier peer-reviewed journals, academic books).
• Potential or demonstrated excellence in conducting research that will contribute to and enhance the School’s national and international reputation.
• Potential or demonstrated ability to secure external funding to support research.
• Potential or demonstrated excellence in teaching at the undergraduate or graduate level.
• Interest in mentoring students, and commitment to their success.

Application Process

• Cover letter of no more than two (2) pages describing the following:

o   interest in the position and fit relative to the required and desired qualifications.

o   research interests in public budgeting and finance, engagement with the broader professional community.

• A complete curriculum vitae or resume that details the applicant’s educational and professional history.
• A recent sample of scholarly writing. This could be a dissertation chapter, published journal article, or a research manuscript authored by the applicant.
• The names and complete contact information (titles, organization affiliations, mailing addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses) for three references. Please note that references are not contacted until a candidate is identified as a finalist for this position.

Application Deadline

The initial application deadline is September 16, 2024 at 3:00 p.m. Arizona Time. Applications will continue to be accepted on a rolling basis for a reserve pool. Applications in the reserve pool may then be reviewed in the order in which they were received until the position is filled.

Please direct any questions about the position to Dr. Akheil Singla, the Search Committee Chair, at [email protected]