Careers

Position Summary

We wish to appoint, at the level of a full Professor, an inaugural Director to lead SMU’s forthcoming Cities Institute. This is a new University-level strategic initiative that brings together and expands related work across the University that is dedicated to developing interdisciplinary research that tackles social/behavioural, ecological and technological challenges in order to impact positively on urban viability, vibrancy and vitality. Seeded through the university’s strategic funds, the Institute initial scoping suggests three broad areas of focus: (1) Sustainable Urban Infrastructure, (2) Liveability of Built Environments, and (3) Urban Economic Vitality, with an understandable focus on the rapidly urbanizing regions of South East Asia. More details on the Institute and role, as well as complementary and supporting initiatives across the university, can be found here. The Director will make a substantive contribution in refining the focus and developing the research agenda of the Institute.

The ideal candidate should be an internationally-renowned academic scholar, with expertise in an underpinning discipline within one or more of the pillars of the Institute, with a strong commitment to interdisciplinary research, and success at developing research agendas and successful funding applications. Given the broad remit and ambition of the Institute, we anticipate that the Director’s disciplinary training can be quite diverse, encompassing fields such as geography, sociology, economics, architecture, information systems, urban planning and law. The Director is expected to define, catalyse and lead an inter-disciplinary research agenda driven by advances in fields such as urban geography, urban and regional planning, urban sociology, technological innovation, urban and behavioural economics and public policy, governance and legislation.

This is a tenure-track professorial appointment. Whilst appointed as Director of the Institute, the candidate will ideally be jointly appointed across two of the University’s schools depending on the nature of their disciplinary fit. Whilst leadership of the Institute will be the primary focus of the role, dedicated time will be available for the furtherance of the candidate’s own research programme.

Application Procedure

The application package should include (in electronic form): a cover letter describing relevant university administrative experience, teaching and research interests and a curriculum vitae (including teaching, research and leadership record).

The package should be sent to The Secretariat, Singapore Management University, at the following email address: smuacademicjobs@smu.edu.sg. Please indicate the position you are applying for (Sustainable Cities or Computational Social Sciences). 

Applicants should also arrange for three confidential letters of recommendation to be sent directly to the Selection Committee, c/o the same email address above.

For this role, candidates will be an experienced academic leader with outstanding administrative leadership experience in a university setting. They will also have experience and knowledge of working with public agencies, businesses and non-governmental organizations to develop innovative research projects, as well as a strong understanding of government and other funding streams.