Assistant Professor, School of Government and Public Policy (T/TE)

The University of Arizona•Tucson, AZ

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The School of Government & Public Policy (SGPP) at the University of Arizona invites applications for a tenure-track assistant professor position focused on agroecosystem governance, institutions, and decision-making under water scarcity. This role is part of an interdisciplinary cluster hire intended to strengthen the University’s program in irrigated agroecosystem science and engineering. The successful candidate will study how governance structures, regulatory frameworks, policy design, and administrative practices shape behavior and water allocation in water-scarce agricultural systems. The position’s tenure home will be SGPP. The faculty member will collaborate with natural scientists, hydrologists, engineers, and data scientists across campus, and participate in the Irrigated Agroecosystems Cluster Hire cohort. The candidate will have access to University of Arizona field infrastructure and research centers, including the Yuma, Maricopa, and Tucson Agricultural Experiment Stations, the Yuma Center of Excellence for Desert Agriculture, the Water Resources Research Center, the Arizona Hub for Agricultural Innovation, and the Arizona Institute for Resilience. The faculty member will develop or maintain an internationally recognized, externally funded research program; teach undergraduate and graduate courses in public policy, public administration, or environmental/resource governance; mentor MA, MPA, MPP, and PhD students; and engage with stakeholders at state, regional, and national levels. The position is full-time, 1.0 FTE, with a 40-hour work week. The appointment is tenure-track, with a target hire date of August 16, 2027. Compensation is salary at 1.0 FTE, with rate determined by experience (DOE).

Requirements

Ph.D. in Public Policy, Public Administration, Political Science, Resource Economics, or a closely related environmental social science discipline by the time of appointment.
A strong record or demonstrated promise of scholarly publication addressing governance, institutional design, policy implementation, or decision-making frameworks related to natural resources, water, agriculture, or adaptation to climate stress.
Demonstrated ability or commitment to working effectively in transdisciplinary teams spanning the social sciences, natural sciences, and engineering.

Nice To Haves

Expertise in water issues of Arizona and the Southwest.
Methodological strength in policy analysis, institutional analysis, mixed methods, spatial policy analysis, or behavioral/survey methods.
Experience or strong interest in community-engaged research with agroecosystem governance stakeholders, including agricultural producers, water managers, and public agencies.

Responsibilities

Build or maintain an internationally recognized, externally funded research program examining agroecosystem governance, institutional adaptation, or decision-making among agricultural producers facing severe water scarcity, soil salinization, and competing urban and industrial water demands.
Participate actively in the Irrigated Agroecosystems Cluster Hire cohort.
Collaborate with agricultural engineers, soil and plant scientists, AI/data scientists, and hydrologists to translate water resources research into actionable policy, governance models, and community-engaged solutions.
Teach undergraduate and graduate courses in public policy, public administration, or environmental/resource governance within SGPP.
Mentor MA, MPA, MPP, and PhD students.
Engage with state, regional, and national stakeholders, including irrigation districts, agricultural producer groups, tribal nations, groundwater management agencies, and state and federal decision-makers.