The Department of Watershed Sciences at Utah State University (USU) invites applications for a full-time (12-month), tenure-track position as an Assistant Professor in water quality management. The position's responsibilities will be distributed as follows: 60% extension, 30% teaching, and 10% university/professional service. The position will be based at USU’s main campus in Logan, Utah, with a start date of August 2025.
We are seeking candidates who will develop and lead a statewide extension program focused on water quality management and collaborate with diverse stakeholders. The position may also involve applied research in support of the extension program. Potential areas of research and outreach include, but are not limited to:
• Identification and management of nonpoint sources of water pollution
• Monitoring and modeling the flux and transformation of nutrients or other contaminants
• Evaluating and defining nutrient criteria (e.g., total maximum daily loads)
• Remediation of water quality issues such as eutrophication and harmful algal blooms
• Stormwater runoff management
• Using wetlands, riparian zones, and green infrastructure for water quality improvement in urban and rural watersheds
• Other areas related to urban or rural water quality
For more information about the position, the department, the university or any other informal enquiries please contact either edd.hammill@usu.edu (department head) or charles.hawkins@usu.edu (search committee chair).
Responsibilities• Develop an innovative, extramurally funded extension program that integrates research, stakeholder engagement, and outreach to address water quality challenges in Utah and the Intermountain West.
• Teach an undergraduate course in water quality and other courses as needed for the watershed sciences program.
• Provide service to the department, college, and university, and contribute to professional societies.
Minimum Qualifications:
• Earned doctoral degree in watershed sciences, physical geography, environmental science, ecology, civil/environmental engineering, geology, or a related discipline with a focus on water quality
• Demonstrated expertise in water quality research and practices
• A record of peer-reviewed publications appropriate to the candidate's career stage
Preferred Qualifications:
• Postdoctoral experience
• Experience applying hydrological, ecological, limnological, or biogeochemical sciences to support water quality research
• Experience working with state and federal environmental agencies, ideally within an extension context, including evaluating management needs and assessing the effectiveness of management actions
• Experience or potential to secure external funding to support an extension program
• Demonstrated commitment to the public service mission of land-grant universities
• Experience teaching at the higher education level
• Ability to collaborate effectively in interdisciplinary settings, particularly within a watershed context
Along with the online application, please attach:
CV to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Resume/CV"Research statement that covers research experience and interests (3-page maximum) to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Documents 1-10”Teaching statement that covers teaching experience and philosophy (3-page maximum) to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Documents 1-10”Name and contact information for 3 professional references to be entered into Candidate ProfileCover letter to be typed/pasted at the end of your application**Document size may not exceed 10 MB.**
Advertised Salary Commensurate with experience plus excellent benefits ADAThe environment and physical requirements may change depending on the specific function of the work performed. Incumbents may be in both indoor and outdoor environments. Indoors, in an office space, event space, or public space are protected from weather conditions, but not necessarily from temperature changes. Incumbents may nearly continuously sit and often use repetitive hand motion (such as typing).
Outdoors, incumbents may not be protected from weather conditions and may be exposed to extreme heat and extreme cold. Bending, crawling, and crouching may be required. Incumbents may be required to lift, push, and/or pull objects up to 25 pounds and be required to walk and/or stand for long periods of time.
College/Department HighlightsThe S. J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Natural Resources is nationally and internationally recognized for its research, extension, and teaching on natural and socio-environmental ecosystems. It is a high-impact college at Utah State University with over $15M in research funding annually, 55 tenure-track faculty in three departments, and close partnerships with federal and state natural resource agencies.
The Department of Watershed Sciences in QCNR is a powerhouse in the science of ‘wet’ ecosystems, including rivers, lakes, wetlands, reservoirs, and the watersheds that feed them. Faculty are committed to making science useful for planning, management and restoration efforts, and are well-positioned to study and solve complex, interdisciplinary problems with a cadre of ecologists, hydrologists, geomorphologists, biogeochemists, and others.
University HighlightsFounded in 1888, Utah State University is Utah’s premier land-grant, public service university, with a strong commitment to excellence, access, and inclusion, empowering people to lead successful lives of involvement, innovation, and impact. Utah State provides high-quality education to 27,500-plus students locations throughout the state, including at three residential campuses, eight statewide campuses, and 23 education centers. USU Online educates students from all 50 states and 55 countries. For over 25 years, USU Extension has served and engaged Utahns in all of Utah’s counties. As an R1 research institution, Utah State is dedicated to advancing knowledge through research and scholarly activities, providing a high-quality undergraduate and graduate education at an affordable price.
Utah State is committed to cultivating a community of inclusive excellence where all perspectives, values, cultures, and identities are acknowledged, welcomed, and valued. We seek to recruit, hire, and retain people from all walks of life who will champion excellence in education, research, discovery, outreach, and service. We believe that promoting a strong sense of community and belonging empowers and engages all members of USU to thrive and be successful. Forbes recognized our commitment to employees when they named Utah State the best employer in Utah in 2023. Learn more about USU.
The university provides a Dual Career Assistance Program to support careers for partners who are also seeking employment. Additionally, USU is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability, contact the university’s ADA Coordinator in the Office of Human Resources at (435) 797-0122 or hr@usu.edu.
About the Region
U.S. News and World Report ranked Utah first for its strong economy, fiscal stability, education, and health care. Outstanding outdoor recreational opportunities abound throughout the state, including five national parks, 43 state parks and recreation areas, and 15 alpine ski resorts. The home of USU’s main campus, Logan, is a city of 54,000-plus people in a picturesque mountain valley 80 miles north of Salt Lake City. The Logan metro area claimed the top spot in the Milken Institute’s 2022 ranking for best-performing small cities in the nation.
*updated 04/2024
Notice of Non-discriminationIn its programs and activities, including in admissions and employment, Utah State University does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination, including harassment, based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy, Title IX, or any other federal, state, or local law.
The following individuals have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the application of Title IX and its implementing regulations and/or USU’s non-discrimination policies:
Executive Director of the Office of Equity Matthew Pinner, discrimination@usu.edu, Distance Education Rm. 401, 435-797-1266
Title IX Coordinator Cody Carmichael, titleix@usu.edu, Distance Education Rm. 404, 435-797-1266
Mailing address: 5100 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322
For further information regarding non-discrimination, please visit https://equity.usu.edu/, or contact:
U.S. Department of Education, Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 800-421-3481, OCR@ed.gov
*updated 09/2023
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