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Professor of Urban Planning

Closes:

Salary: $185,000 per year

1,212
School: Harvard Graduate School of Design

Department/Area: Urban Planning and Design

Position Description

The Department of Urban Planning and Design and Harvard University's Graduate School of Design (GSD) invites applications for a faculty position at the rank of Professor of Urban Planning with tenure. The position of senior tenured professor is intended for individuals pursuing full-time academic careers whose record in scholarship and teaching is recognized by peers as a preeminent and enduring intellectual contribution to the field. We are seeking an internationally recognized planning scholar whose work engages with the built environment through a variety of disciplinary approaches. Experience with planning practice is a plus, as is a history of innovative teaching that addresses the designed environment. We are not specifying areas of expertise within the field, but we are especially interested in candidates who are committed to interdisciplinary engagement within the department and across the school and university.

Information about the Graduate School of Design (GSD) and Department of Urban Planning and Design: In the pursuit of more productive, equitable, sustainable, and beautiful built and natural environments, Harvard University's GSD offers a dynamic setting for the exchange of ideas across the fields of urban planning, urban design, real estate, architecture, landscape architecture, design studies, and design engineering.

Composed of internationally experienced scholars and practitioners, the faculty of the Department of Urban Planning and Design explores the designed environment from diverse disciplinary backgrounds and points of view. The Department offers graduate degrees in urban planning, urban design, and real estate and features a pedagogically diverse array of interdisciplinary studios, lecture courses, seminars, and independent research that consider practical and theoretical issues affecting cities and metropolitan areas globally. Roughly 200 students drawn from around the world work together and with the faculty to create an intimate, engaged educational atmosphere in which students thrive and learn.

The Department is built on the firm conviction that both classroom and community experiences are enriched by creating inclusive spaces for multiple perspectives to be surfaced, understood, and debated. The Department is committed to translating these values into its programmatic policies, practices, pedagogy, and methods of engagement in classroom settings, with one another, and the world outside the GSD.

Basic Qualifications

The school seeks to attract and retain individuals who possess a quality of mind demonstrating high levels of intelligence, clarity of expression, analytical ability, critical judgment, creativity, and initiative. We also value individuals who support free inquiry and expression by others and constructive, collegial collaborations with faculty, staff, and students. In the school's evaluation of candidates, desirable individual qualities and high potential are not substitutes for a record of academic and creative achievement. Accomplished contributions to the field through scholarship and/or design are essential to effective teaching over time. Continued study and investigation with public exposition of research and professional accomplishments are normal obligations for Harvard faculty members.

Candidates should demonstrate evidence of research productivity appropriate to their advanced career stage, including a sizeable record of refereed publications, invited talks, and national and international conference presentations. They should demonstrate the ability to secure external grant funds and the ability to lead research teams of graduate students and postdoctoral associates. Individuals in this position will employ their time teaching, conducting creative work in scholarship or practice, and fulfilling their responsibilities for academic service.

Appointments are made with tenure on a full-time basis with a requirement for residency in the Greater Boston area.

Candidates must have a Ph. D. or comparable terminal degree appropriate to support an appointment to one of the GSD's senior positions in planning. Professional experience is welcomed as is experience in academic leadership.

Special Instructions

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis beginning in September 2026.

Applicants should submit:
  • A cover letter
  • A Curriculum Vitae
  • For candidates with practice experience, please feel free to include relevant materials, such as plans and design work, up to 15 mb.
Subsequent Submission: Candidates advancing in the selection process will be asked to provide additional material at a later date.

If visa sponsorship is needed, Harvard retains the discretion to determine which visa status is appropriate and whether a visa sponsorship application will ultimately be submitted, including payment of any applicable fees.

Contact Information

Katherine Igoe, Faculty Search Coordinator

Contact Email: katherine_igoe@gsd.harvard.edu

Salary Range

Professor (full-time, tenured) hiring range: $185,000+

Job details

Title
Professor of Urban Planning
Employer
Harvard University
Location
Massachusetts Hall, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
Published
Aug 31, 2026
Closes:
Oct 30, 2026
Job type
Full time, Academic / Faculty, Architecture and Design
Field
Urban Design
Salary

Salary: $185,000 per year

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About the employer

Harvard University Jobs

Harvard University

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Harvard University offers a diverse range of job and work opportunities across various categories, reflecting its status as a leading academic and research institution. These opportunities cater to different skill sets, academic backgrounds, and career stages. Harvard University Academic Positions - click here . Harvard University Staff Jobs - click here . The main types of jobs and work opportunities at Harvard: 1. Faculty and Academic Positions Tenure-Track Faculty : These roles include assistant, associate, and full professors across Harvard’s schools (e.g., Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Harvard Medical School, Harvard Business School). Faculty engage in teaching, research, and service. Qualifications typically include a Ph.D. or equivalent terminal degree, a strong research portfolio, and teaching experience. Openings vary by department and school, with competitive hiring processes. Non-Tenure-Track Faculty : Includes lecturers, preceptors, and visiting professors. 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Faculty and staff also gain access to Harvard’s libraries, museums, and cultural events. Global Impact : Many roles, especially in research and public health, contribute to global advancements in knowledge and policy. Location : Most positions are based in Cambridge or Boston, Massachusetts, with some remote or hybrid options, particularly for administrative and IT roles. How to Find Opportunities Harvard Careers Portal : The primary resource for job listings is Harvard’s Human Resources website (hr.harvard.edu/jobs), which lists openings for faculty, staff, and temporary roles. School-Specific Listings : Each Harvard school (e.g., Harvard College, Harvard Law School) may post specialized positions on their websites. Networking and Referrals : Many academic and research roles are filled through professional networks or direct outreach to departments. X Platform : Searching for “Harvard University jobs” on X can reveal real-time discussions, job postings, or employee experiences, though these should be verified through official channels. Additional Notes Qualifications : Requirements vary widely. Faculty roles typically need advanced degrees, while support roles may prioritize experience or specific skills. Work Environment : Harvard emphasizes diversity, inclusion, and collaboration, with opportunities for professional growth and community engagement. Application Process : Most positions require an online application through Harvard’s careers portal, including a resume, cover letter, and sometimes additional materials like teaching statements or research portfolios.

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