FACULTY POSITION

(Associate Professor or Full Professor, Research-Track)

The Urban Institute (UI) at Singapore Management University (SMU) invites applications for up to three full-time, non-tenurable Research Track faculty positions at the Associate or Full Professor level in Urban Analytics/Innovation or Urban Studies. These are fixed-term appointments for three years in the first instance, with the possibility of renewal.

Research Track faculty at SMU are expected to pursue high-quality, impactful research, contribute to interdisciplinary scholarship, and participate in the broader academic and intellectual lives of the UI and SMU. The teaching load is one course per year, and successful applicants will have clear KPIs in terms of publishing and grant-winning.

The UI is a university-level research institute dedicated to delivering impact through interdisciplinary research on Asian cities. Its vision is to advance an approach to studying and understanding the city that is human-centred, innovation-driven, and Asia-focused. Guided by four research pillars – Growth, Governance, Systems, Experiences – the UI understands the city in holistic terms, and seeks to develop the understanding and insight needed to make Asia’s cities more liveable, inclusive and resilient places.

We are interested in candidates who are able to push the boundaries of urban research in areas such as, but not limited to, urban sustainability, urban systems and infrastructures (including smart cities and AI enabled urban systems), urban liveability and inequality, and/or novel approaches to urban theory development. We also welcome applicants trained in Data Science/Analytics, Computer Science, Geographical Information Systems, Informatics, Geomatics, Urban or Development Economics, Public Policy, Urban Planning, Urban Engineering (all with an urban application), or in cognate disciplinary or interdisciplinary fields with an urban focus.

Candidates that can demonstrate bold interdisciplinarity in research are particularly encouraged to apply, as are those with demonstrable experience conducting research in and on cities in Asia. Prior experience working within Singapore’s higher education landscape is a bonus.

Applicants should be able to:

• Conceptualise and execute high quality research projects, and develop grant applications on urban-related issues in Asia, broadly defined
• Design and deliver an undergraduate or postgraduate course on urban-related topics
• Participate actively in the research and educational communities at SMU, and contribute to at least one of the university’s three areas of strategic priority: Growth in Asia, Digital Transformation, and Sustainable Living
• Contribute to the dynamic intellectual life at UI as well as to interdisciplinary dialogue and exchange with colleagues from other Schools (such as Computing and Information Systems, Economics, Law, Business, and the Humanities and Social Sciences)

Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in either a computational discipline (e.g., Data Science/Analytics/Informatics, Computer Science, Geographical Information Systems, Geomatics, Urban or Developmental Economics, Urban Planning, Engineering with an urban focus, or Building Science), or an interdisciplinary (e.g., Urban Science, Urban Studies, Development Studies, or Architecture) field
• A strong international research and publication record, including publications in leading peer-reviewed journals
• Excellent oral and written communication and presentation skills

Application procedure

We invite candidates to submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, teaching statement, research statement, two samples of written work published in English to SMU Career. Applicants should also arrange for three academic references to be sent directly to urban@smu.edu.sg with the subject line: [Applicant’s Full Name] – Research Track Reference.

Please note that incomplete applications slow down the recruitment process and might not be considered as a result. Additional supporting materials may be requested from shortlisted candidates during the selection process.

SMU is committed to fostering diversity and cultivating an inclusive work environment. Applications from women and minorities are particularly encouraged.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a campus visit. We envision interviews and campus visits to take place in October 2026, with the expected start date for the successful candidate being from June 2027 onwards.

The deadline for applications is 4 September 2026, although the applications portal will remain open until the position is filled.