Duke Kunshan University (DKU) invites applications to a regular rank, tenure-track faculty position in urban studies, systems, and policy, beginning in the academic year 2022-2023. Over the past year, we have launched a new interdisciplinary Computation and Design major, with a strong research and teaching focus on how computation and technology have been shaping urban environment. We are seeking a social scientist broadly trained in urban systems and policy, especially in a comparative context, who is capable of contributing to an Urban Design and Policy concentration within the new major, as well as to public policy curriculum throughout the university. Applicants who specialize in urban data science, urban informatics and engineering, and computational social science, or other areas of emerging urban technologies are especially encouraged to apply. We are open with regard to the candidate’s discipline, as well as the candidate’s substantive interest, which may include, for example, health, environmental sustainability, social equity, food and waste system, or economic development. Mid-career and senior faculty are especially encouraged to apply.

As an international intellectual community that encourages diversity, openness and creative learning, DKU welcomes outstanding faculty from around the world who contribute diverse perspectives and experiences to a global learning and research environment. DKU particularly welcomes applications from underrepresented groups and minorities

In order to meet Chinese visa requirements, prior to the position start date international (non-Chinese) candidates must have worked full-time (work experience obtained while studying full-time is not considered as full-time work experience) for at least two years in a relevant area (including post-doctoral work) after receiving their Bachelor’s degree, or begin their appointment at DKU within 12 months of obtaining their master’s degree/Ph.D. and without having work experience between graduation date on master’s degree diploma/Ph.D. diploma and position start date.

DKU is a collaborative partnership of Duke University, Wuhan University and the Municipality of Kunshan, China (https://dukekunshan.edu.cn/).  Our campus provides an innovative and robustly interdisciplinary undergraduate liberal arts experience to a student body that will number 2000 students and 150+ faculty, with an acceptance rate of <8% and a student body represented by over 60 countries. We also offer a discrete number of Master’s level graduate programs. The DKU pedagogical model draws on the best of Duke’s educational experience and resources to reimagine undergraduate instruction on an intimate campus setting. 

Similar to the best liberal arts colleges in the United States, DKU values dedication to teaching excellence in a liberal arts environment, as well as a strong commitment to successful scholarly engagement and research. This includes research with undergraduate students.  As a whole, the Duke Kunshan faculty will have strong commitments to teaching and research, and outstanding quality in both areas will be highly valued.

Candidates must hold a Ph.D. degree or equivalent in a relevant field. Research experience at a postdoctoral level (or greater) and teaching experience are desirable, as is experience working in an interdisciplinary setting. Applicants should provide a cover letter including a clear statement of the candidate’s specific interest in DKU, a curriculum vitae, a research statement, a teaching statement, and three reference letters. All materials should be submitted through Academic Jobs Online: https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/19309. The search committee also invites and encourages letters of nomination for potential candidates. Nominations and questions about the positions may be sent to social-science-search@dukekunshan.edu.cn using “Urban Studies, Systems and Policy” as the subject line. Priority will be given to applications received by October 15, 2021; we will accept applications until the positions are filled. 

The DKU campus is 37 miles west of Shanghai in Kunshan, and is connected to Shanghai via an 18-minute high-speed train and a subway-light rail train system. DKU provides internationally competitive compensation, housing allowance, child education benefits (for applicable faculty positions), and a discretionary fund or start-up package.