All Things Urban

The Department of Urban Studies & Planning (DUSP), a department within the School of Architecture + Planning at MIT, was founded in 1933. The Planetizen Guide to Graduate Urban Planning Programs once again ranked DUSP #1 in the U.S. and Canada

Over the past decade the Department of Urban Studies and Planning (DUSP) and the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) at MIT have developed a strong research and teaching agenda focused on understanding the role of information technologies, data, sensors and networks in the planning and development of urban environments. We have also developed new technologies and tools to model, envision, and communicate information about the city. We have recently established a new joint undergraduate major in urban and computer science of which these positions would be central. (see: http://news.mit.edu/2018/mit-faculty-approves-new-urban-science-major-0605). We are searching for candidates who can build on and extend this agenda through teaching and research involving advanced geographical information systems and analytics, communication and media, and/or simulation technologies related to urban planning and computer science. Applicants should be able to interrelate theory, research, and professional practice. They should also show demonstrated capabilities in interdisciplinary endeavors as well as to local, national, and international service. The candidate’s experience should bridge across an urban science related fields – such as knowledge representation, geosciences, or simulation and modeling – and a planning related fields such as the design of places, spatial patterns, metropolitan networks and infrastructure, or participatory planning and policies. The use of information and communication technologies in meeting the needs of cities and communities, as well as in teaching and connecting to urban design, is of utmost importance.

A Ph.D. or Master’s Degree in areas related to responsibilities (e.g. Urban Planning, Computer Science, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Urban Geography). We are especially interested in candidates who can demonstrate familiarity with the connection between computer science and urban planning and urban design. Candidates should also have programming experience (e.g., Anaconda Python), database systems (e.g., PostgreSQL, and PostGIS), geoprocessing technologies (e.g., ArcGIS and QGIS software and web mapping and visualization libraries. Successful applicants will be expected to engage with students from both department’s undergraduate, professional masters (MCP), and doctoral programs.

Unfortunately, it seems like this job is not available for international candidates. Unless you’re eligible for a work visa otherwise, please double-check with the company.