Description

The Department of Public Policy, Management, and Analytics (PPMA) in the College of Urban Planning and Public Affairs (CUPPA) at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) (http://cuppa.uic.edu/academics/pa) plans to hire a tenure-track faculty member at the Assistant Professor level beginning in August 2026. 

PPMA offers four graduate degrees: Master’s in Public Administration (MPA), Master’s of Public Policy (MPP), Master’s of Science in Civic Analytics (MSCA), and the PhD in Public Administration. PPMA also offers an undergraduate degree (BA) in Public Policy. The NASPAA-accredited MPA program is currently ranked in the top 15% of programs in the nation by US News and World Report. Our program is ranked 6th in Urban Policy, 8th in Public Budgeting and Finance, 13th in Local Government Management, and 33rd in Public Management and Leadership. PPMA faculty have been consistently ranked in the top 10 in research productivity over the past ten years by Academic Analytics. 

PPMA is part of the College of Urban Planning and Public Affairs. CUPPA was created in 1995 as part of UIC's Great Cities Initiative and is now home to two academic departments and seven research centers. In addition to PPMA, the College also houses the Department of Urban Planning and Policy (UPP). The seven research centers within the College include: the Urban Transportation Center, the Institute for Research on Race and Public Policy, the Great Cities Institute, the Center for Urban Economic Development, the Institute for Policy and Civic Engagement, the Voorhees Center for Neighborhood and Community Improvement, and the Government Finance Research Center. 

The University of Illinois Chicago is located just west of Chicago's Loop and is among the nation’s preeminent urban public research universities, a Carnegie Research 1 and Carnegie Opportunity university, and the largest university in Chicago. UIC serves over 35,800 students, comprising one of the most diverse student bodies in the nation and is designated as a Minority Serving Institution (MSI), an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPSI) and a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). Through its 16 colleges, UIC produces nationally and internationally recognized multidisciplinary academic programs in concert with civic, corporate and community partners worldwide, including a full complement of health sciences colleges. 

Application Procedure: For fullest consideration, please apply by 2/2/26 via the UIC application system: https://jobs.uic.edu (Job ID # 1038452). A completed on-line application and the following attachments are required for consideration: a cover letter describing interest, curriculum vitae, two sample publications (or other scholarly writing), a one-page statement of research interests, and a one-page statement of teaching philosophy and experience. Solicitation of letters of recommendation will occur after an initial screening of candidates. If selected during screening, you will be asked to enter contact information, including email addresses, of three professional references in the application.

For specific questions about the application, please send an email to Ms. Sari Buffill (buffill@uic.edu). For questions about the position, please contact Faculty Search Chair Jiaqi Liang (liangj@uic.edu). Active screening of applicants begins immediately after 2/2/26 and will continue until the position is filled. The University of Illinois conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of contingent offer of employment. Background checks will be performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act. 

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, COVID-19 vaccination requirement, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.

The university provides accommodations to applicants and employees. Request an Accommodation

Requirements

We seek candidates who bring a strong commitment to an active research program and excellence in teaching at both the graduate and undergraduate levels. Engagement in service to the profession is also expected. Area of specialization is open, but preference will be given to candidates who can contribute to the department’s public management research and courses. The ideal candidate will be able to contribute to one or more of the department’s core competencies in statistics and data analytics, public policy, public and nonprofit management, financial management, or urban/local governance. 

Candidates must have earned a PhD in public policy, public administration, political science, economics, or a related field by August 2026. Successful candidates will be required to teach a 2:2 load each academic year. The budgeted salary range for this position is $95-110K. This position is intended to be eligible for benefits. This includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.