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Urban Design Professor Jobs (NOW HIRING)

... historic preservation, urban planning, sustainable design, and design-build. In addition to ... Preferred Qualifications Associate Professor Required Qualifications * * Ph.D. in Architecture or ...

ASSISTANT/ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR Tenure Track Faculty - Full Time 9 Month Appointment Position Number ... and urban redevelopment oPlant-soil-climate relationships, ecological design and habitat ...

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Urban Design Professor information

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$18.5K

$72.4K

$134K

How much do urban design professor jobs pay per year?

As of May 29, 2026, the average yearly pay for urban design professor in the United States is $72,445.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $48,000.00 and $90,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Urban Design Professor, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Urban Design Professor, you need advanced knowledge in urban planning, architecture, and design theory, typically backed by a relevant graduate degree (such as a PhD or Master's) and academic or professional experience. Familiarity with design software (like AutoCAD, GIS, and SketchUp), research methodologies, and academic publishing platforms is often required. Strong communication, mentorship, and critical thinking skills help foster student development and interdisciplinary collaboration. These competencies enable effective teaching, impactful research, and the advancement of innovative urban design solutions in academic environments.

What are some common challenges faced by Urban Design Professors when balancing teaching, research, and community engagement?

Urban Design Professors often juggle multiple responsibilities, including designing engaging curricula, conducting impactful research, and collaborating with local communities on real-world projects. Balancing these areas can be challenging, especially when community engagement projects require significant time outside of classroom hours or when research deadlines coincide with grading periods. However, this dynamic environment also offers opportunities to integrate practical experiences into teaching and to foster interdisciplinary partnerships. Successful professors often rely on effective time management, strong communication skills, and support from their academic department.

What are Urban Design Professors?

Urban Design Professors are academic professionals who teach, research, and contribute to the field of urban design at universities and colleges. They educate students about the principles, history, and practices of urban design, and may also conduct research on topics such as city planning, sustainable development, and urban policy. In addition to teaching, they often advise students, publish scholarly work, and collaborate with communities or government agencies on urban design projects.

What is the difference between Urban Design Professor vs Urban Planning Consultant?

AspectUrban Design ProfessorUrban Planning Consultant
Required CredentialsTypically a master's or PhD in urban design, architecture, or related fieldBachelor's or master's in urban planning, architecture, or related field; certifications may vary
Work EnvironmentAcademic settings, universities, research institutionsConsulting firms, government agencies, private sector projects
Employer & Industry UsageHigher education institutions, research organizationsUrban planning firms, government departments, private developers
Common Search & ComparisonUrban Design Professor vs Urban Planning Consultant

While both roles focus on urban development, an Urban Design Professor primarily works in academia, teaching and researching urban design principles. In contrast, an Urban Planning Consultant applies planning strategies in real-world projects for clients or government agencies. The roles differ in work environment, responsibilities, and career focus, but both require a strong understanding of urban environments and design principles.

More about Urban Design Professor jobs
What states have the most Urban Design Professor jobs? States with the most job openings for Urban Design Professor jobs include:
Infographic showing various Urban Design Professor job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 69% Full Time, 28% Part Time, and 1% Temporary. Highlights an 86% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $72,445 per year, or $34.8 per hour.
Postdoctoral Research Fellow: Sustainable Buildings and Urban Development in the Era of Climate C...

Postdoctoral Research Fellow: Sustainable Buildings and Urban Development in the Era of Climate C...

Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • On-site

$65K - $75K/yr

Full-time

Posted 10 days ago


Harvard University rating

8.1

Company rating: 8.1 out of 10

Based on 7 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

128th of 529 rated colleges and universities


Job description

Position
Details
Title
Postdoctoral Research Fellow: Sustainable Buildings and Urban Development in the Era of Climate Change
School
Harvard Graduate School of Design
Department/Area
Center for Green Buildings and Cities
Position Description
Harvard University is launching the Sustainable Buildings and Urban Future Cluster-a bold, interdisciplinary research initiative designed to address the climate crisis through transformative innovation in the built environment. This pioneering effort brings together Harvard scholars and practitioners across chemistry, materials science, fluid mechanics, AI, computer science, architecture, and engineering to develop scalable, data-informed solutions in sustainable design, construction, and energy management.
The Cluster aims to modernize-and ultimately revolutionize-energy management by building on and scaling the HouseZero® concept-Harvard's prototype for ultra-efficient, naturally ventilated smart buildings-into interconnected communities. This unique initiative integrates three synergistic research thrusts:
  1. Advanced thermal storage and sensing materials
  2. Intelligent, building-scale integration of sensing and control systems
  3. Cooperative, urban-scale energy management

Together, these research directions seek to reimagine how buildings and cities operate-optimizing energy use, enhancing human well-being, and reducing carbon emissions at scale.
We are seeking multiple Postdoctoral Researchers to join this collaborative effort. These three-year positions, starting September 1, 2025, are hosted by the Harvard Center for Green Buildings and Cities and funded by the Salata Institute for Climate and Sustainability. While the project is scheduled to launch in September, hiring may occur earlier, and selected candidates may have the opportunity to begin their appointments ahead of the official start date. Each postdoctoral researcher will work with one or more principal investigators (PIs) aligned with their domain expertise, while contributing to a highly integrated, interdisciplinary research team.
Key research areas include:
  • Development of low-carbon materials and tunable thermal energy storage materials integrated with smart sensors and advanced algorithms
  • Creation of Digital Twins for energy-efficient building and urban operation
  • Exploration of novel Human-Building Interaction interfaces
  • Design of cooperative energy-sharing systems across multiple buildings
  • Integration of data-driven and physics-informed learning algorithms for scalable energy management and control
  • Engagement with industry stakeholders to guide practical implementation and scale-up strategies

Ideal candidates will have expertise in one or more of the following areas:
  • Sustainable building systems or materials science
  • Power system modeling, control systems, or HVAC alternatives
  • IoT and sensor networks in the built environment
  • AI or data-driven modeling and control for building and urban systems
  • Human-centered or interaction design for smart systems

Postdoctoral researchers will collaborate closely with faculty from the Graduate School of Design, the John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, and the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, as well as with industry experts. experts from industry. This is a rare opportunity to contribute to a high-impact, interdisciplinary initiative at the forefront of climate innovation.
Leading faculty:
  • Joanna Aizenberg, Amy Smith Berylson Professor of Materials Science
  • Petros Koumoutsakos, Herbert S. Winokur Jr. Professor of Computing in Science and Engineering
  • Na Li, Winokur Family Professor in Electrical Engineering and Applied Mathematics
  • Le Xie, Gordon McKay Professor of Electrical Engineering
  • Ali Malkawi, Professor of Architectural Technology
  • Jarad Mason, Associate Professor of Chemistry & Chemical Biology
  • Vijay Janapa Reddi, John L. Loeb Associate Professor in Electrical Engineering

To apply, please submit a CV, a cover letter, a research statement, two example research papers, and the names of three references. In the cover letter, please list at least two co-PIs from the above list you would like to work with. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
Final hiring decisions will be contingent on availability of funding.
Join us in redefining how we live, build, and share energy in a changing world.
Basic Qualifications
The positions are intended for individuals who hold a Ph.D. or Doctorate Degree in a related area.
Additional Qualifications
Special Instructions
If visa sponsorship is needed, Harvard retains the discretion to determine which visa status is appropriate and whether a visa sponsorship application will ultimately be submitted, including payment of any applicable fees.
Contact Information
Bob Marino
Contact Email
rmarino@gsd.harvard.edu
Salary Range
$65,000 - $75,000
Minimum Number of References Required
3
Maximum Number of References Allowed
3
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