Assistant Professor

Teaching
Candidates should also describe how they can contribute to teaching in the core curricula of at least one of our degree programs, and what elective/specialized courses they are prepared to offer (existing or new). The successful candidate should be prepared to teach conventional, hybrid and online courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels and to advise graduate students. Portland State University is a nationally acclaimed leader in community-based learning and we welcome ideas for 'workshop' courses.
PSU is an urban-serving university that provides access for veterans, first-generation college students, students of color and immigrant-identified students, and 'non-traditional' aged undergraduates. Candidates should describe their experiences or pedagogical philosophies regarding teaching and mentoring these diverse students.

Community outreach and engagement
As an engaged, urban-serving university, PSU values high quality outreach by faculty who draw on their expertise to serve the wider community. The University's tenure guidelines include attention to ways that faculty use their knowledge to assist in defining and addressing social problems and contribute to policy development or evaluation. Creative and professional works in the field of study/practice are also valued. Candidates may describe applied research, substantive community engagements, practice experience, and/or the scholarship of community outreach as part of their experience and anticipated scholarly agenda.

As an inter/transdisciplinary school, we are open to scholars who address these issues and intersections through a variety of theoretical frameworks; successful candidates will have an interest in the application of their scholarly work in community development, organizing/social movement, policy, and/or urban planning. We welcome candidates who describe themselves as activist or engaged scholars. We are also interested in a range of methods and approaches, including 'big data,' ethnography, and/or community-based participatory research. The application should describe the candidate's plans to pursue an active research agenda, including external funding. As we are from multiple disciplinary backgrounds, it is helpful for candidates to indicate with which academic venues (conferences, journals, etc) they especially expect to be involved.

Portland State University supports equal opportunity in admissions, education, employment, housing, and use of facilities by prohibiting discrimination in those areas based on age, color, disability, marital status, national origin, race, religion or creed, sex or gender, gender identity or gender expression, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other basis in law. We encourage applications from a diverse range of candidates, especially those who are excellent at working cross-culturally or with diverse groups (students and publics). We recognize that diversity maximizes our potential for creativity, innovation, educational excellence and outstanding service to the community.

Minimum requirements: Applicants should have a Ph.D. in urban studies, urban and regional planning, community development, environmental studies, sociology, anthropology, geography, gender studies, ethnic studies, or other appropriate disciplines or be able to provide assurance of completion of a Ph.D. prior to start date.

Minimum Qualifications:

Applicants must have a Ph.D. in urban studies, urban and regional planning, community development, environmental studies, sociology, anthropology, geography, gender studies, ethnic studies, or other appropriate disciplines or be able to provide assurance of completion of a Ph.D. prior to start date.

Preferred Qualifications:

Candidates should demonstrate expertise in one or more of the following:

Environmental justice, particularly relating to climate change and climate justice, including natural hazards and disaster.

Community economic development, including a focus on community development finance, social enterprise/cooperative development models, and economic empowerment.

Art, culture, and 'place-making'/ 'place-keeping' in equitable development and social movement building.

Racialized, immigrant, and/or transnational communities; including a focus on migration.

'Smart cities,' digital platforms, algorithms and 'big data' analytics in urban studies/planning/CD.