Job Description

Assistant Professor, School of Government and Public Policy (T/TE) Posting Number req27525 Department School of Govt & Public Policy Department Website Link https://sgpp.arizona.edu Location Tucson Campus Address Tucson, AZ USA Position Highlights

The School of Government & Public Policy (SGPP) at the University of Arizona invites applications for a tenure-track assistant professor faculty position focusing on agroecosystem governance, institutions, and decision-making under water scarcity.

This position is part of a strategic, interdisciplinary cluster hire aimed at confirming the University of Arizona as a top national program in irrigated agroecosystem science and engineering. We seek a scholar with expertise in public policy, public administration, or institutional management who investigates how governance structures, regulatory frameworks, policy design, and administrative practices shape behavior and water resource allocation in water-scarce agricultural systems. The successful candidate’s tenure home will be SGPP, and while in SGPP, the candidate will work closely with natural scientists, hydrologists, engineers, and data scientists across campus.

The School of Government & Public Policy (SGPP) at the University of Arizona integrates political science, public administration, public policy, and criminal justice, offering a dynamic environment for interdisciplinary public affairs research.

The University of Arizona ranks #1 in the U.S. and #4 globally in Water Resources research. This position is part of a major institutional commitment to translate existing leadership in water into a preeminent center for irrigated dryland agroecosystems. The successful candidate will have access to world-class field infrastructure that includes the Yuma, Maricopa, and Tucson Agricultural Experiment Stations; the Yuma Center of Excellence for Desert Agriculture, the Water Resources Research Center, and the Arizona Hub for Agricultural Innovation (AHAI). They will also be integrated into the collaborative network of the Arizona Institute for Resilience (AIR).

Review of applications will begin December 15, 2026 . Applications must be received by January 5, 2027 for full consideration.

Outstanding U of A benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; sick leave and holidays; U of A/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to U of A recreation and cultural activities; and more!

The University of Arizona has been recognized for our innovative work-life programs. For more information about working at the University of Arizona and relocations services, please click here.

Duties & Responsibilities

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

Minimum Qualifications

• 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.

Preferred Qualifications

• 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.

Rank Assistant Professor Tenure Information Tenure Track (T/TE) FLSA Exempt Full Time/Part Time Full Time Number of Hours Worked per Week 40 Job FTE 1.0 Work Calendar Academic Job Category Faculty Benefits Eligible Yes - Full Benefits Rate of Pay DOE Compensation Type salary at 1.0 full-time equivalency (FTE) Type of criminal background check required: Name-based criminal background check (non-security sensitive) Number of Vacancies 1 Target Hire Date 8/16/2027 Expected End Date Contact Information for Candidates Angela Hackett

Assistant Director, Administrative Operations- SGPP

ahackett@arizona.edu

Open Date 11/5/2026 Documents Needed to Apply Curriculum Vitae (CV), Cover Letter, and Five Additional Documents Special Instructions to Applicant Please submit the following documents:

• Curriculum vitae (CV).
• Cover letter (Please upload your cover letter as a separate attachment).
• A research statement.
• A teaching statement.
• Recommendation letters from 3 professional references.

Notice of Availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act (Clery Act), each year the University of Arizona releases an Annual Security Report (ASR) for each of the University’s campuses. These reports disclose information including Clery crime statistics for the previous three calendar years and policies, procedures, and programs the University uses to keep students and employees safe, including how to report crimes or other emergencies and resources for crime victims. As a campus with residential housing facilities, the Main Campus ASR also includes a combined Annual Fire Safety report with information on fire statistics and fire safety systems, policies, and procedures.

Paper copies of the Reports can be obtained by contacting the University Compliance Office at cleryact@arizona.edu.