Assistant Professor, School of Public Administration

The Opportunity

The School of Public Administration (SPA) in the College of Community Innovation and Education (CCIE) at the University of Central Florida (UCF) invites applications for a 9-month, tenure-earning assistant professor position, anticipated to begin in Fall 2025. We are seeking candidates from a wide range of academic disciplines, theoretical orientations, and methodological approaches. The ideal candidate will be highly motivated and proficient in emergency and crisis management theories, research, policies, and practices in the United States (U.S.) and internationally. The candidate is expected to be active in local, regional, and national emergency management or related organizations. The ideal candidate must be able to legally work in the U.S. at the time of appointment.

The selected candidate will contribute to SPA's mission by adding research and teaching expertise to the #1 nationally ranked emergency management program. Potential courses to teach include, but are not limited to, hazard mitigation and preparedness, disaster response and recovery, and emergency management and homeland security at the undergraduate level; and foundations of emergency management and homeland security, cross-sectoral governance, managing emergencies and crises, and public sector communications at the master’s level. The teaching mode will be a combination of in-person, online, and mixed-mode depending on the course/semester. The candidate will also be involved in other educational and service obligations for the school, college, and university as well as the profession and community.

SPA offers NASPAA accredited Master of Public Administration and Master of Nonprofit Management (first accredited nonprofit program in the world by NASPAA) programs, a PAB accredited Master of Science in Urban and Regional Planning, a Master of Emergency and Crisis Management, a Ph.D. in Public Affairs, a Master of Public Policy, and a Master of Research Administration. The School of Public Administration also offers undergraduate degrees in Public Administration, Nonprofit Management, and Emergency Management; a first of its kind international dual degree in Public Administration/Nonprofit Management; and graduate and undergraduate certificate programs and minors (Emergency Management and Homeland Security, Nonprofit Management, Public Administration, and Urban and Regional Planning). This combination of disciplines offers unparalleled opportunities for interdisciplinary research and community-based projects.

SPA has one of the largest Public Administration programs in the Southeast with active partnerships with state and local governments, nonprofit, and private organizations. SPA is located in a state-of-the art facility with access to fully equipped multimedia classrooms at the UCF Downtown campus in Orlando, Florida. At the UCF Downtown campus, students are within walking distance of countless government offices, nonprofits, and private organizations. SPA graduates join a dynamic alumni network of over 5,000 individuals who are leading the charge for change in local, national, and international communities.

UCF’s College of Community Innovation and Education (CCIE) is a one-of-a-kind academic unit with distinct, interdisciplinary expertise and potential for partnership with community stakeholders, conceived to address societal challenges and work alongside the community. Established in 2018, the college offers undergraduate and graduate programs on the main campus and UCF Downtown. At the heart of the college's mission is the institutional commitment to transform lives and strengthen society by developing a unified vision and innovative solutions to complex social issues. CCIE promotes innovation through state-of-the-art interdisciplinary research with social impact; contemporary inclusive teaching and learning practices; and preeminent service for the disciplines, the institution, and the community. For more information about the school or college, please visit the homepage at: https://ccie.ucf.edu/

Located in Orlando, Florida, UCF is classified as a Very High Research Activity (R1) university by the Carnegie Foundation. With a diverse student body of more than 70,000 students, UCF is one of the largest universities in the country. The university offers more than 240-degree programs. UCF is committed to diversity and was designated a Hispanic Serving Institution in 2019.  For more information, visit https://www.ucf.edu.

Minimum Qualifications:

• A Ph.D. from an accredited institution in emergency management, homeland security, public administration, public policy, or a related discipline. ABDs will be considered as long as the Ph.D. degree is conferred by the time of appointment.

• An active and sustainable research agenda with a focus in emergency and crisis management broadly defined.

• Demonstrated record of teaching emergency and crisis management courses or content to a broad range of learners.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Distinguished record of research and scholarship (e.g., multiple peer-reviewed publications in reputable emergency management/disaster/public administration journals).

• Ability to use Artificial Intelligence, machine learning, or modelling techniques to conduct research in emergency management and homeland security issues.

• Demonstrated research interest in the impact of human-made and natech disasters (wars, mass migration, genocide, cybersecurity, etc.) on society.

• Mentoring or supervising experience with students through professional development opportunities (e.g., trainings, internships, conferences, professional associations, community-engaged research, etc.).

• Demonstrated record of teaching in logistics, international emergency management, cybersecurity, or climate change.

• Experience working in interdisciplinary research teams.

Additional Application Materials Required:

UCF requires all applications and supporting documents be submitted electronically through the Human Resources employment opportunities website, https://www.ucf.edu/jobs/.  In addition to the online application, candidates should upload a cover letter, a current curriculum vitae, and a list with contact information for three (3) professional references.

The selected candidate will be required to submit official transcripts (and, as applicable, U.S. degree equivalency evaluations) documenting the conferral of their qualifying academic credentials.

NOTE: Please have all documents ready when applying so they can be simultaneously uploaded. Once the online submission process is finalized, the system does not allow applicants to submit additional documents later.

Questions regarding this search should be directed to: Prof. Abdul-Akeem Sadiq at abdul-akeem.sadiq@ucf.edu

Special Instructions to the Applicants:

Review of applications will begin by the middle of October.

Job Close Date:

Open until filled. 

Note to applicants: Please keep in mind that a job posted as ‘Open until filled’ may close at any time without notice. As such, we encourage you to submit your application and all required documentation as quickly as possible to ensure consideration for the posted position.

Are you ready to unleash YOUR potential?

As a next-generation public research university and Forbes-ranked top employer in Florida, we are a community of thinkers, doers, creators, innovators, healers, and leaders striving to create broader prosperity and help shape a better future. No matter what your role is, when you join Knight Nation, you’ll play an integral role at one of the most impactful universities in the country. You’ll be met with opportunities to connect and collaborate with talented faculty, staff, and students across 13 colleges and multiple campuses, engaging in impactful work that makes a positive difference. Your time at UCF will provide you with many meaningful opportunities to grow, you’ll work alongside talented colleagues on complex projects that will challenge you and help you gain new skills, and you’ll have countless rewarding experiences that go well beyond a paycheck.

Working at UCF has its perks! UCF offers:

• Benefit packages, including Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Flexible Spending, and Employee Assistance Program. 

• Paid time off, including annual (12-month faculty) and sick time off and paid holidays.

• Retirement savings options. 

• Employee discounts, including tickets to many Orlando attractions. 

• Education assistance.

• Flexible work environment. 

• And more…For more benefits information, view the UCF Employee Benefits Guide click here.

Unless explicitly stated on the job posting, it is UCF’s expectation that an employee of UCF will reside in Florida as of the date the employment begins.

Additional Requirements related to Research Positions:

Pursuant to Florida State Statute 1010.35, prior to offering employment to certain individuals in research-related positions, UCF is required to conduct additional screening. Applicants subject to additional screening include any citizen of a foreign country who is not a permanent resident of the U.S., or who is a citizen or permanent resident but is affiliated with or has had at least 1 year of education, employment, or training in China, Cuba, Iran, Russia, North Korea, Syria, or Venezuela.

The additional screening requirements only apply to research-related positions, including, but not limited to faculty, graduate positions, individuals compensated by research grants or contract funds, post-doctoral positions, undergraduate positions, visiting assistant professors, and visiting research associates.

Department

Work Schedule

Type of Appointment

Expected Salary

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

The University of Central Florida is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer including Disabled/Vets.  Click on UCF's Equal Opportunity Statement to view the President’s Statement.

The UCF affirmative action plans for qualified individuals with disabilities and protected Veterans are available for inspection in the Office of Institutional Equity, Monday through Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., upon request.

As a Florida public university, UCF makes all application materials and selection procedures available to the public upon request. 

The University of Central Florida is proud to be a smoke-free campus and an E-Verify employer.