Who We Are

The Department of Urban and Environmental Studies at Loyola Marymount University (LMU), a Carnegie-classified R2 institution in the mainstream of American Catholic higher education, seeks outstanding applicants for two tenure-line positions in urban studies who value its mission and share its commitment to inclusive excellence and the building of a just society. LMU is federally recognized as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) and an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI) and is recognized by the State of California as a Black-Serving Institution (BSI). These designations reflect the university's continuing commitment to supporting student success, belonging, and thriving within a diverse academic community. As a Catholic, Jesuit, and Marymount university, LMU values faculty who engage students as whole persons and pursue scholarly work that promotes justice, equity, and the Common Good.

The successful candidates will demonstrate a commitment to LMU's teacher-scholar model. A teacher-scholar conducts research and creative work that contributes to the larger body of knowledge while setting an example for the importance of lifelong learning. A teacher-scholar at LMU is dedicated to (1) teaching a diverse student body in a transformative learning environment, (2) developing a thriving portfolio of research and mentoring students, (3) participating in service activities at the academic, professional, and/or community levels, and (4) working toward greater equity, inclusion, belonging, and accessibility for all in the profession.

For more information about our current faculty, please visit Join Our Faculty.

Appointment Type and Details

Both positions are tenure-line faculty appointments. Applicants must hold a Ph.D. in urban studies, planning, geography, or a closely related field by the position start date of August 2027. ABD applicants who anticipate completion of the doctorate by August 2027 will also be considered. 

Position Responsibilities

The Department of Urban and Environmental Studies invites applications from emerging and established scholars to fill two tenure-line positions in urban studies with expertise in urban planning or urban geography, beginning August 2027. One successful candidate will be appointed at the rank of Assistant Professor, and one will be hired at Assistant or Associate Professor based on experience, qualifications, and demonstrated achievements. The rank determination will be made in accordance with university policies and standards.

We seek candidates with a strong background in urban planning and/or urban geography whose research and teaching engage broader questions in contemporary urban studies. Candidates specializing in one or more of the following areas are especially encouraged to apply: transportation and land use; community development; sustainable urbanism; the intersection of planning with racial and environmental justice; and urban systems and processes in the Global South.

Faculty responsibilities include maintaining an active program of scholarship, teaching and advising undergraduate students, and contributing to department and university service. Department tenure-track faculty members typically teach on a two-year 2-2-2-3 course rotation (4-unit classes) within a 40% research, 40% teaching, and 20% service model.

The successful candidates will teach lower-division and upper-division courses in urban studies, including introductory, urban planning, and geography courses, depending on departmental need and the candidates’ expertise. Faculty in these positions will be encouraged to contribute to the LMU Core Curriculum, such as through the development of a First-Year Seminar and/or courses incorporating engaged learning pedagogies. 

The Department of Urban and Environmental Studies values collaborative, interdisciplinary, and community-engaged approaches to teaching and research. We seek candidates who are excited to teach and mentor a diverse student body in Los Angeles and who will contribute to LMU's teacher-scholar model through excellent undergraduate teaching, an active research agenda, and innovative forms of student engagement, including collaborative and community-based learning. 

How To Apply

The application deadline is September 30. Questions regarding this position may be directed to Tyler Harlan, Chair, Department of Urban and Environmental Studies, at [email protected].

The following application materials must be submitted online through the LMU Employment website:

• Cover letter 
• Curriculum vitae 
• Research statement 
• Statement of teaching philosophy and (if available) teaching evaluations
• Writing sample.

Candidates who advance in the search will be asked to provide transcripts and letters of recommendation at a later stage.

Only electronic applications submitted through the LMU employment portal will be considered. Note: Workday allows a maximum of five uploaded documents (5 MB each).

Across their application materials, candidates should address their commitment to and any past and/or potential contributions to advancing LMU's mission and promoting the success, sense of belonging, and thriving of students from a variety of lived experiences. Candidates may address these commitments in relation to their scholarship, teaching, mentorship, advising, and/or service, as appropriate to their experiences and future goals. Relevant examples may include fostering inclusive and accessible learning environments, supporting equitable educational outcomes, engaging multiple perspectives and ways of knowing, mentoring students from varied backgrounds, or pursuing scholarship and service that contributes to diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, justice, and/or accessibility.

LMU is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing an environment free from discrimination and harassment as defined by federal, state, and local law. We invite all persons in the full diversity of their being, life experience, and beliefs to apply. 

Please note that this position may not be eligible for visa sponsorship now or in the future.

LMU is committed to providing equal access to employment opportunities and ensuring a comprehensive recruitment and selection process for all applicants.

Individuals who require a reasonable accommodation to participate in any stage of the application, interview, or selection process may contact Human Resources at [email protected] or by phone at (310) 338-2723. Applicants who use relay services or other assistive communication technologies are welcome to utilize those services when contacting Human Resources.

When contacting Human Resources, please include the job posting number, title of the position and department for which you are applying. Applicants are not required to disclose the nature of a disability or provide medical information when requesting an accommodation during the recruitment process.

LMU will work with applicants in a timely and interactive process to identify and provide reasonable accommodations consistent with applicable federal and state law.