Assistant Professor in Urban Planning and Data Analytics (Education) (Dubai)

The University of Birmingham is seeking an Assistant Professor in Urban Planning and Data Analytics for its Dubai campus. The role involves teaching and leading the MSc Urban Analytics and AI for Planners program, contributing to urban planning education, and enhancing student experiences. Candidates should have relevant qualifications, teaching experience, and strong interpersonal skills. The position focuses on integrating data science and AI in urban planning education.
Background

We are currently recruiting an Assistant Professor in Urban Planning and Data Analytics, who will join the highly interdisciplinary School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences (GEES) at the University of Birmingham Dubai campus. The position offers an exciting opportunity to support the teaching and leadership of the MSc Urban Analytics and AI for Planner, a pioneering programme integrating urban planning, data science, and AI, as well as supporting the MSc Urban Planning and MSc Sustainable Urban Design programmes.

Role Summary

You will contribute to a range of education-related activities, primarily in support of our MSc Urban Analytics and AI for Planners. In addition, you will be expected to demonstrate academic citizenship, developing and maintaining mutually respectful and supportive working relationships with all staff and students, and ensuring the way you carry out your role impacts positively on how others carry out theirs.

Teaching is likely to include a substantial contribution to: (a) the management, development and delivery of teaching and assessment, and (b) enhancement of the student experience and employability. The role will typically also involve developing and advising others, including: (a) providing expert advice to staff and students, and (b) developing and advising others on learning and teaching tasks and methods with a particular focus on approaches suitable for urban planning data science and AI applications.

You will be expected to deliver excellent teaching that inspires students and is informed by discipline-based research or professional experience in urban analytics and data-driven planning, ensuring alignment with industry and accreditation standards, while delivering high-quality teaching across all programmes including MSc Urban Analytics, the MSc Urban Planning and MSc Sustainable Urban Design and BSc Sustainability.

Develop and teach as part of modules in urban data analytics, AI for planning, GIS and spatial modelling, smart cities, and urban systems design, while supervising postgraduate dissertations and research projects focused on data-driven urban solutions. Innovate teaching methods such as through AI-driven tools, computational approaches, or urban simulation models, and enhance the curriculum by integrating industry-led case studies and practitioner engagement.

Person Specification
• Normally, a higher Degree relevant to the discipline area (usually PhD) or equivalent qualifications and/or professional experience in Urban Analytics, Urban Planning, Urban Design, Data Science, GIS, or a related field.
• Teaching experience and scholarship and/or training within subject specialism.
• Proven ability to devise, advise on and manage learning.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to work effectively in a team environment, collaborate with colleagues, and communicate ideas clearly to others.

Informal enquiries can be made to Mohammad Radfar, email: m.radfar@bham.ac.uk (Dubai Campus), or John Round, email: j.round@bham.ac.uk (Edgbaston Campus)

To download the full job description and details of this position and submit an electronic application online please click on the 'Apply' button above.

Valuing excellence, sustaining investment
We value diversity and inclusion at the University of Birmingham and welcome applications from all sections of the community and are open to discussions around all forms of flexible working.

Closes: 12/05/2025

Competitive . Grade 8