USC Price School Seeks New Environmental Planning Faculty

The department is recruiting for a tenure-track position to advance research on urbanization and climate change.

Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Environmental

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The USC Sol Price School of Public Policy has initiated a search for a new tenure-track assistant professor focusing on urban planning and climate change. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The University of Southern California (USC) Sol Price School of Public Policy has opened applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor of Environmental Planning. The position is based within the Department of Urban Planning and Spatial Analysis.

Why it matters

The school is recruiting specialized faculty to address critical urban planning questions surrounding climate change and urbanization. The department maintains a strong national profile, including top-tier rankings for faculty research output.

The Department of Urban Planning and Spatial Analysis holds a #1 national ranking for faculty citations by ScholarMetrics. It is also ranked #4 in urban planning and policy among public affairs schools according to US News and World Report.

The players

USC Sol Price School of Public Policy

An academic institution in Los Angeles that focuses on urban planning, public policy, and spatial analysis research.

The details

Candidates must hold a PhD in urban planning or a related field to be eligible for the tenure-track role. The application process requires a letter of interest, a curriculum vitae, three letters of reference, and a statement detailing the applicant's research and teaching philosophy.

Timeline

  1. December 1, 2026: The review of submitted job applications begins.

The Tech Race

The school aims to bolster its research capacity in climate and urbanization to maintain its top-tier academic ranking. This search reflects the ongoing competition among major research universities to attract specialized talent in environmental planning.

Interested scholars must submit their applications through the USC Careers portal to be considered for this tenure-track role. The department expects candidates to offer research approaches that contribute to solving contemporary urban climate challenges.

The takeaway

Prospective applicants have until December 1, 2026, to submit their portfolios for consideration. The school's focus on climate-responsive planning underscores a broader shift in urban policy programs toward data-driven environmental resilience.

Further reading

For more updates on regional sustainability research and academic initiatives, visit Environmental.

More information

View full details and application requirements on the USC Price School official website.

Source note: This article includes information reported by Planetizen - Urban Planning News, Jobs, and Education.

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Do you trust that current urban planning research is effectively addressing pressing climate and environmental challenges?