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Predoctoral Fellow of Urban Planning and Policy

William Paterson University seeks applications from outstanding candidates for a Predoctoral Fellow of Urban Planning and Policy in the Department of Political Science, Legal Studies, and Urban Studies of the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences.

Applications will be considered in areas such as Political Science, Public Administration, Urban Planning and Policy, or related areas with preference for candidates with public management, emergency/disaster management, health or environmental policy and planning, environmental sustainability, urban design, or related areas. Experience in the use of geographic information systems (GIS) in teaching and/or research, is a plus.

As a public university serving a highly-diverse student population and holding federal standing as a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) and Minority Serving Institution (MSI), William Paterson University seeks to intentionally support the mentoring and development of its diverse faculty, particularly faculty from underrepresented backgrounds.

The fellow will be appointed for up to two academic years in a non-tenure-track teaching position (NTTP) under New Jersey’s statewide contract, with full benefits and a competitive salary. Appointment to the second year is contingent upon a successful mid-year review in the first year. Fellows will teach a 3/3 load during the time of their appointments in a planned and supported period of growth into the role of full-time faculty member.

The University will provide the Fellow a structured program of focused mentorship, pedagogical support, and an introduction to university and professional service. This pre-doctoral fellowship program will be supporting three Fellows across the University. The goals of the program are (a) to support the career success of selected candidates, (b) to advance the University's commitment to building a diverse campus community, and (c) to expand the University's pool of highly qualified candidates for faculty positions.

Following the first year of the fellowship and upon successful completion of the requirements of the doctoral degree, by mutual agreement between the department and the Fellow the department may request conversion of the fellowship to a tenure-track line, contingent on demonstrated need.

The start date of this fellowship is Fall 2025.

Department Overview:

The Department of Political Science, Legal Studies, and Urban Studies offers a variety of programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels that help students build successful careers at the city, county, state, and federal levels, as well as in the private and non-profit sectors. The department offers a BA in Political Science, BA in Legal Studies, and an accelerated 5-year BA/MPP in Political Science and Public Policy. It also offers minors in Forensic Studies, Political Science, Legal Studies, and Public Policy. Most WP undergraduate students are employed in related fields or accepted into a graduate program within six months of completion of their degree.

For more information about the department, please visit the website: https://www.wpunj.edu/cohss/departments/political-science-legal-and-urban-studies/index.html

Timeline for the fall 2025 fellowship cohort:

• Friday, February 14, 2025:  Applications due for priority consideration.   
• Thursday-Friday, April 10-11, 2025: Virtual campus visit and interviews. Details to follow.

Fellowship offers are anticipated by the beginning of May with appointments beginning August 2025.  

Fellowship Requirements include:

Teaching:

• Teach a total of 18 graduate and/or undergraduate credits annually in online, hybrid or face-to-face modalities per departmental needs; Collaborate with faculty through tailored mentorship.
• Using approved course outline as a guide, develop relevant syllabi in order to deploy course content, objectives, and methods of student assessment.
• Contribute to student success of a diverse student population by providing consistent and effective support and guidance through role modeling, mentoring, and being available to respond to student questions and needs.

Scholarship:

• A strong commitment to establishing a research program involving undergraduates and graduate students.
• A continued dedication to be involved in research and scholarship and to disseminate these in quality research publications, external and internal grant submissions; Collaborate with faculty through tailored mentorship.

Service:

• Participate in the variety of service opportunities within the department, college, and university community including mentoring students where appropriate.
• Engage in assessment of student learning as well as program and accreditation assessment and reporting requirements.
• Attend department and college meetings and engage in activities of the department.

Required Qualifications:

• Identifies as a member of an underrepresented population in one or more of the following ways—race, ethnicity, gender, socio-economic background, first-generation college, etc.
• ABD from an accredited college or university, with an emphasis in urban planning and policy, public management, environmental policy and planning, urban design, or closely related field.
• Strong commitment to teaching.
• Evidence or promise of research capacity and a planned agenda of achievement in scholarly productivity.
• Demonstrates an understanding of diversity, equity and inclusion concepts and their applicability to the field of teaching and learning.
• Commitment to advancing the mission, vision, and values of the University.

Preferred qualifications:

• Demonstrated ability to succeed in a collaborative environment by freely offering expertise and being open to meaningful feedback and ongoing professional development.
• Evidence of teaching excellence and supporting student success.
• Capable of engaging and contributing in order to make a positive impact.
• Ability to navigate the complexities of a multi-faceted organization with competing wants and needs.

AFT Salary Grade 26 - $78,720.11 - $122,035.07

This position may be eligible for a comprehensive benefits package, which includes health  and dental insurance and retirement plans. To learn more, please visit: https://www.wpunj.edu/human-resources/total-rewards/

Invitation to apply:     

Please click to view the description and apply for the position. Interested candidates will be prompted to submit a letter of application addressing teaching interests and philosophy and curriculum vitae. Please upload all documentation when prompted to upload your resume/curriculum vitae.

General questions related to this application process, please contact talent@wpunj.edu . Please include with your inquiry the Job Requisition number beginning with R as well as the job title and department.

About William Paterson:

We invite you to join William Paterson University: a wonderful community to learn, work, grow, and thrive. William Paterson University has been named to Forbes’ prestigious “Best Employers by State” list for 2024, recognizing the institution as one of the best-ranked employers in New Jersey based on nationwide surveys. WP is one of four education institutions on the Garden State’s list this year (https://www.forbes.com/lists/best-employers-by-state/). William Paterson University is among more than 40 companies and organizations that will be honored with a 2024 NJBIZ Empowering Women Award for their commitment to supporting and elevating women employees.

William Paterson University employs approximately 1000 full time employees. Located on 400 wooded acres in suburban Wayne, New Jersey – just 20 miles from New York City – our campus is one of the most diverse in the nation and ranks in the top 4 percent of colleges for social mobility. Your work as a member of our team is important to our students and to the progress of our University. What you do here matters, and we value every contribution.

Total Rewards:

Click here to view the total rewards of working at WP

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EEO Statement

William Paterson University is dedicated to providing equal opportunities and equal access to all individuals regardless of race or ethnicity, sex/gender (including pregnancy), gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, civil union status, familial status, religion, national origin or citizenship, military service status, or any other category protected by law. William Paterson University does not discriminate on the basis of any category stated above or as prohibited by applicable law. Individuals from historically underrepresented backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

For more information, visit University Facts