Assistant Professor in Urban Planning (Education)

Salary: Full time starting salary is normally in the range £34,980 to £44,263 with potential progression once in post to £46,974

Contract Type: Fixed Term contract up to September 2026 

Role Summary

We are currently recruiting an Assistant Professor in Urban Planning (Education, fixed-term), who will join the highly interdisciplinary School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences (GEES). The position offers an exciting opportunity for collaboration and teamwork to develop and deliver a new Distance Learning programme within the School.  We are keen to attract candidates whose work engages with contemporary planning agendas in the UK and internationally, planning theory and practice, and governance of public policy in the built environment.

More specifically, the postholder will advance GEES’ new Distance Learning (DL) MSc Urban Planning programme. This fixed term role will see the postholder work on programme development as well as enable the launch and initial running of the new programme. Specific duties will include the creation of new content, wider support for teaching delivery and administration, and production of new materials working collaboratively with GEES’ Planning/Urban Geography team to generate innovative approaches to online delivery. Once the programme is launched you will assist in running the DL programme and supporting our DL student cohort.

The University of Birmingham is an equal-opportunity employer wishing to recruit talented individuals from anywhere around the world. We encourage applicants from all sections of the community. You will be expected to contribute to academic citizenship, through generous, mutually respectful, and supportive working relationships with staff and students.

Person Specification

• Normally, a higher Degree relevant to the discipline area (usually PhD) or equivalent qualifications and/or professional experience in urban and regional planning, urban studies, urban design, urban administration and policy. RTPI or equivalent membership desirable.
• Teaching experience and scholarship and/or training within subject specialism.
• Proven ability to devise, advise on and manage learning.
• Skills in managing, motivating & mentoring others.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to work effectively in a team environment, collaborate with colleagues, and communicate ideas clearly to others. Skills in the use of technology used in Distance Learning provision, including learning management systems (LMS), video conferencing tools, and online collaboration platforms 

Informal enquiries can be made to Dr John Round (j.round@bham.ac.uk) or Dr Austin Barber (a.r.g.barber@bham.ac.uk) 

To download the full job description and details of this position and submit an electronic application online please click on the 'Apply' button above.

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We value diversity and inclusion at the University of Birmingham and welcome applications from all sections of the community and are open to discussions around all forms of flexible working

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