Knight Professorship of Public Policy

Position Summary

The College of Humanities & Earth and Social Sciences (CHESS) invites applications for the Knight Distinguished Professorship of Public Policy, a full‑time, tenured faculty position to begin August 10, 2026.

Applicants should apply online at (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). (position #006936) and submit the following materials:

• A letter of interest discussing the applicant’s professional qualifications and how the applicant would contribute to the program, college, and university’s research, teaching, and service mission;
• A curriculum vitae;
• Names of three references (confidential letters of reference will be requested later for selected candidates).

Complete applications should be submitted by January 31, 2026. Questions about the position should be directed to Greg Weeks, the Search Committee Chair (gbweeks).

The University of North Carolina at Charlotte is committed to equality of educational and employment opportunity and does not discriminate against applications, students, or employees based on any protected status. The candidate chosen for the position will be subject to Criminal Background Check and will be required to provide official transcripts of their highest‑earned degree upon hire.

Hiring is subject to budget availability.

Position Number: 006935

Working Title:

Knight Professorship of Public Policy

Classification

Title:

9-Mo Tenure‑Track / Tenured Faculty

College:
College of Humanities & Earth and Social Sciences (CHESS)

Employment Type:

Permanent – Full‑time

Months per year: 9

Vacancy Open to:
All Candidates

As the largest and most academically diverse college at UNC Charlotte, CHESS houses 15 departments, 13 interdisciplinary programs, and 7 applied centers.

Specific to this appointment, the Knight Professor will serve as a catalyst for studying critical regional needs in urban areas such as transportation, growth management, economic development, health, education, economic mobility, sustainability, and environmental issues, especially energy policy. The professor will have an appointment within a CHESS department and act as a faculty affiliate to the UNC Charlotte Urban Institute, a non‑partisan applied research and community outreach institute.

The professor will also be a core member of the interdisciplinary Public Policy Ph.D. program, teaching and mentoring doctoral students.

• Teaching, advising, curriculum and instructional development, course design and presentation, student research guidance, and grading.
• Scholarly research, creative, and other professional activities, including generating new knowledge, publishing, an ongoing research agenda, and seeking extramural support.
• Service to university, public, and profession, such as administration and governance, public service, and professional engagement.

• Ph.D. in a social science discipline, with preference for Political Science.
• Tenured full professor.
• Exceptional record of scholarly accomplishment with significant national and/or international stature.
• Record of success in teaching, advising, and mentoring students of all backgrounds.
• Interest in fostering engagement and dialogue among departments in the college and across the university.
• Scholarly agenda with public‑facing dimension capable of engaging the Charlotte community and region.

Job Open Date: 12/11/2025

Open Until Filled:
Yes

Date Review of Applications will Begin: 01/31/2026

Proposed Hire Date: 08/10/2026

9201 University City Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28223