Assistant Professor – Community and Regional Planning

The Community and Regional Planning Program in the College of Architecture at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln (UNL) invites applications for a full‐time, tenure-track Assistant Professor position beginning in August 2027.

We seek an innovative and collaborative scholar and educator who demonstrates a record of achievement or strong potential for excellence in teaching, research, and service in the field of community and regional planning. We particularly encourage applications from candidates with expertise in one or more of the following areas: environmental planning and policy, transportation and land use planning, real estate development, or economic development planning.

The successful candidate will contribute to the program’s core curriculum, develop and teach elective courses in their areas of expertise, establish a productive research agenda, and engage in interdisciplinary collaboration within the College of Architecture and across the University of Nebraska system. We also encourage applications from candidates whose research and teaching address contemporary planning challenges through innovative approaches and emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced data analytics.

The Community and Regional Planning program at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln is the only nationally accredited planning program in Nebraska. The program is committed to preparing students for professional leadership and careers in the diverse and evolving field of community and regional planning. The program continues to strengthen and expand interdisciplinary education, applied research, and community engagement. Through partnerships with nonprofit organizations, professional planning organizations, and federal, state, and local governments, the program provides students and faculty with opportunities to address real-world planning challenges. In particular, the program maintains strong partnerships with the Nebraska Chapter of the American Planning Association (APA Nebraska) and the Nebraska Planning and Zoning Association (NPZA) to foster student engagement and professional development through conferences, workshops, mentorship programs, and networking opportunities with practicing planners.

The program offers opportunities for interdisciplinary research and collaboration across the University of Nebraska system through its research centers, institutes, and academic programs. Potential collaborators include Nebraska Extension, the Mid-America Transportation Center, Nebraska Transportation Center, Public Policy Center, Rural Prosperity Nebraska, Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute, Minority Health Disparities Initiative, Methodology and Evaluation Research Core, UNL’s School of Natural Resources and College of Engineering, UNO’s School of Public Administration, and UNMC’s College of Public Health. These institutional resources provide opportunities to advance interdisciplinary research, secure external research funding, and address complex planning challenges.

The program offers the Master of Community and Regional Planning (MCRP) degree, an Urban Design Graduate Certificate, and undergraduate and graduate minors in Planning. It also offers accelerated graduate pathways in collaboration with Environmental and Sustainability Studies and Landscape Architecture, as well as dual-degree opportunities with Architecture, Civil Engineering, Law, and Public Health.

The College of Architecture includes nationally recognized programs in Architecture, Interior Design, Landscape Architecture, and Community and Regional Planning. The College has a strong tradition of excellence in education, research, creative activity, and service to Nebraska and beyond. For more information about the College of Architecture and its academic programs, visit https://architecture.unl.edu.

Minimum Required Qualifications

• An earned Ph.D. in Planning or a closely related field by the time of appointment.
• Demonstrated experience or strong potential to teach core planning courses and develop elective courses within the Community and Regional Planning curriculum.
• Demonstrated experience or strong potential to establish a productive research and scholarship program appropriate for a tenure-track faculty appointment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Research and teaching expertise in one or more of the following areas: environmental planning and policy, transportation and land use planning, real estate development, or economic development planning.
• Demonstrated teaching effectiveness or strong potential for excellence in teaching.
• Demonstrated experience in scholarly research and publication or strong potential for scholarly productivity.
• Demonstrated experience in securing external research funding or strong potential to obtain external funding.
• Demonstrated experience or strong potential in applying emerging research methods and technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced data analytics.
• AICP (American Institute of Certified Planners) certification or strong interest in pursuing certification.
• Education, experience, or strong interest in contribution and collaboration in a related field of the built environment within the College of Architecture, such as architecture, landscape architecture, or real estate development.
• Demonstrated experience or strong potential to establish and sustain interdisciplinary research collaborations across the University of Nebraska system and with external partners, including government agencies, nonprofit organizations, industry partners, and professional organizations.
• Demonstrated experience or strong interest in addressing planning challenges and opportunities in small and mid-sized cities, rural communities, and regional contexts.

Application Process
Review of applications will begin December 10, 2026, and continue until the position is filled. Applicants are required to submit the following documents through UNL’s online employment system at https://employment.unl.edu, requisition F_260145:

1. Letter of application describing the applicant’s qualifications, research interests and agenda, and teaching interests and experience.
2. Current curriculum vitae.
3. Contact information for three references, including name, title, mailing address, telephone number, and email address.

Direct interest and questions to:
Dr. Yunwoo Nam, Search Committee Chair

Community and Regional Planning

College of Architecture

University of Nebraska–Lincoln

302 Architecture Hall

Lincoln, NE 68588

Phone: 402-472-9279

Email: [email protected]

The University of Nebraska does not discriminate based on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and/or political affiliation in its programs, activities, or employment. See Notice of Nondiscrimination.