Assistant Professor of Planning

The School of Architecture Planning and Landscape (SAPL) at the University of Calgary invites applications for an Assistant Professor (tenure-track), in the Master of Planning degree program.

The University of Calgary is one of Canada’s top comprehensive research-intensive universities, with over 34,000 undergraduate and graduate students in 14 faculties, over 1,800 academic staff, and over 3,200 non-academic staff across 5 campuses. The School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape (formerly the Faculty of Environmental Design) was founded in 1971 and offers graduate professional degrees in Architecture, Planning and Landscape Architecture as well as research degrees at the Masters and Doctoral levels.  Our over 350 students and 25 faculty members are committed to exploring the research frontiers of contemporary city building and preparing the next generation of critically engaged practitioners.  We apply the disruptive strategies of entrepreneurial thinking and social innovation to the design of buildings, communities, cities and landscapes.

In February 2019, the School opened a 25,000 sqft, satellite downtown storefront location adjacent to City Hall in the former public library building. The City Building Design Lab (CBDLab) complements our four-storey building on campus. The CBDLab is an advanced design-based research initiative that brings together graduate students, academics, building industry professionals, municipal policy makers, and the public to explore collaborative problem-based research in 21st Century city-building. The School's commitment to innovation is demonstrated through a curriculum that provides students opportunities for international study abroad programs, weeklong intensive master classes, and growing facilities for computational design, simulation and making. These are supported by award winning faculty members, including practitioners and applied researchers working across a variety of media and scales. This position is part of SAPL’s strategy for expanding our community of highly engaged faculty. For further information please visit https://sapl.ucalgary.ca/

The SAPL Master of Planning is a two year first professional degree in planning that incorporates a design studio pedagogy to integrate physical form and spatial planning perspectives into municipal and urban planning contexts at both urban and regional scales. The MPlan is accredited by the Professional Standards Board of the Canadian Institute of Planners. It is a studio-based program emphasizing urban design, ecological design and sustainability that prepares students for registration as professional planners and covers a range of social, environmental, land development, policy and legislative frameworks involved in planning practice. The anticipated start date is July 1, 2022.

The successful candidate must possess, at minimum, a Master’s degree in Planning or a closely related field, and have had previous professional practice experience within the area of planning or another environmental design discipline. Applicants should have membership in the Canadian Institute of Planners (CIP) or equivalent professional planning organization, or be eligible and interested in pursuing membership. A PhD (completed or in progress) would be a definite asset.

The successful candidate should have experience in successfully teaching and contributing to courses and studios in form-based planning and physical design, with specialized interest and experience in at least one and preferably more of the following areas: spatial planning and analysis, urban systems, social planning, indigenous planning, cross-cultural and community development, and land development.

The successful candidate will have research experience in an academic context or a strong record of critical practice as a professional planner. The successful candidate will be expected to contribute to studio teaching, engage in form-based planning and design research, and research local and global planning issues related to urban design, cultural landscapes, climate change adaptation, regional and land use planning, including research projects in the unique regional context of Calgary, Alberta and Western Canada. The successful candidate will be expected to establish and maintain an active and externally funded research program, supervise graduate student research, participate in the School through service activities as required and engage in community outreach through SAPL partnerships. International academic or professional experience involving interdisciplinary, cross-disciplinary or transdisciplinary research and practice is also desirable.

Candidate applications for this position should present evidence of previous professional practice, research, and teaching experience in studio and classroom settings. Excellence in practice, research, and teaching may be demonstrated through peer-reviewed publications, a portfolio of professional work, a strong record of research productivity and a teaching dossier containing a statement of teaching philosophy and examples of student work. Candidates should also be able to demonstrate a commitment to service within a university setting, the planning profession, or the wider community.

Application Instructions

Qualified individuals are encouraged to submit an application online via the UCalgary Careers page; https://careers.ucalgary.ca/jobs/7805168-assistant-professor-of-planning-school-of-architecture-planning-and-landscape

Applications should include:

• updated curriculum vitae
• statement of intent including teaching philosophy and research interests
• portfolio that includes samples of professional work, research and student work
• names and contact information for 3 referees. Referees should be able to evaluate a candidate's experience in teaching, research, and practice.

Please be aware that the application process allows for only four attachments. Your four application attachments should be organized in a way that may require you to merge documents. All materials should be submitted online as PDF files.

Applications will be accepted until December 20, 2021.

The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide Indigenous Strategy in line with the foundational goals of Eyes High, committing to creating a rich, vibrant, and culturally competent campus that welcomes and supports Indigenous Peoples, encourages Indigenous community partnerships, is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in all that we do.

The University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their academic and professional success while they are here. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. Therefore, at the time of your application, please answer the following question: Are you a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada? (Yes/No)

The University of Calgary recognizes that candidates have varying career paths and that career interruptions can be part of an excellent academic record. Candidates are encouraged but not required to provide any relevant information about their experience and/or career interruptions to allow for a fair assessment of their application. Selection committees have been instructed to give careful consideration to, and be sensitive to the impact of career interruptions, when assessing the candidate’s research productivity.

Additional Information

To learn more about academic opportunities at the University of Calgary and all we have to offer, view our Academic Careers website. For more information about the School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape visit Careers in the School of Architecture, Planning & Landscape. 

About the University of Calgary

The University of Calgary is situated on land adjacent to where the Bow River meets the Elbow River, the traditional Blackfoot name of this place is “Mohkinstsis”, which we now call the City of Calgary. Calgary is home for the traditional territories of the Blackfoot and the people of Treaty 7 region in Southern Alberta and the Metis Nation of Alberta, Region III.

Through our Eyes High vision, we have fundamentally transformed the University of Calgary. We have raised our global profile, enhanced the quality of undergraduate and graduate education, promoted innovation and excellence in scholarly activity, and provided significant returns to the community and economy both locally and beyond. Eyes High 2017-2022 will leverage our momentum and aspirations to be recognized as a top 5 research university in Canada, with a strong focus on student experience, campus culture and entrepreneurial thinking. 

Our location inspires us. Calgary is ranked the fifth most livable city in the world by the Economist’s 2019 “Global Livability Index” and the gateway to the spectacular Rocky Mountains. Architectural landmarks such as the Peace Bridge, the Bow Tower, the National Music Centre at Studio Bell, the Central Library, and TELUS Sky, complement one of the most extensive urban cycling networks and natural park systems in Canada. Calgary is also Canada’s most enterprising city where entrepreneurs, experimenters, and rule breakers are not afraid to experiment with built form, innovative policies, and new concepts. Calgary is a city of extraordinary community spirit; we come together and innovate for positive, integrated systemic improvement. Consistently rated by the United Nations as the world’s best country to live in, Canada is the world’s second largest country by total area and is one of the most ethnically diverse and multicultural nations. The 10th largest advanced economy in the world, relying upon its abundant natural resources and sophisticated international trade networks, Canada ranks among the highest in international measurements of government transparency, civil liberties, quality of life, economic freedom, and education. Calgarians benefit from a growing number of world-class dining and cultural events and enjoy more days of sunshine per year than any other major Canadian city. Calgary is less than an hour’s drive from the majestic Rocky Mountains and boasts the most extensive urban pathway and bikeway network in North America.