Overview The Department of Watershed Sciences at Utah State University invites applications for a full-time, academic year (nine-month), tenure-track Assistant Professor position in any physical or ecological discipline contributing to Watershed Science. We seek candidates who conduct innovative, interdisciplinary, and quantitative research that builds on our department's strengths in hydrology, fish ecology, aquatic ecology, wetland ecology, geomorphology, global change biology, climate science, water quality, and restoration of aquatic ecosystems. Disciplinary expertise may include, but is not limited to, limnology, fluvial geomorphology, fluvial hydraulics, ecotoxicology, riparian ecology, water quality, hydrology, restoration of aquatic ecosystems, or any emerging areas of watershed science. The successful candidate will develop a robust, externally funded research program and will teach 2-3 courses per year at undergraduate and graduate levels. To further the Department’s commitment to inclusion and engagement of an increasingly diverse community, we seek candidates who will successfully serve as mentors and role models for students belonging to groups that are historically underrepresented in natural resources and watershed sciences. Anticipated start date: August 1, 2024

USU’s Department of Watershed Sciences excels in the science of ‘wet’ ecosystems, including rivers, lakes, wetlands, reservoirs, oceans, and the watersheds that feed them. Our faculty includes biologists,ecologists, hydrologists, geomorphologists, biogeochemists, and climate scientists committed to making science useful for planning, management, and restoration efforts. The department is well-positioned to study and offer solutions to complex, interdisciplinary problems. We offer undergraduate degrees in Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences and Management and Restoration of Aquatic Ecosystems that are aligned with the Society for Ecological Restoration and the River Management Society. We offer research graduate degrees in Ecology (MS, PhD), Fisheries Biology (MS), and Watershed Sciences (MS, PhD) as well a professional master's degree in Ecological Restoration.

Water research at USU is enhanced by collaborative opportunities through the multidisciplinary Ecology Center (https://www.usu.edu/ecology/ ), which promotes ecological research at USU and hosts a graduate program in Climate Adaptation Science. USU recently established the Institute for Land, Air and Water (https://www.usu.edu/ilwa/ ) which connects interdisciplinary research groups at USU with state and local and state governments to better inform environmental policy. USU departments with high collaborative potential include Biology; Civil and Environmental Engineering along with the Utah Water Research Laboratory; Environment and Society; Geosciences; Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning; Mathematics and Statistics; Plants, Soils, and Climate; and Wildland Resources.

Utah State University, established in 1888, is a Carnegie Foundation R1 research institution and the land- and space-grant institution for Utah. USU is located in beautiful Logan, Utah, a thriving small city in northern Utah. Nestled in the idyllic Cache Valley, between the Wellsville and Bear River mountain ranges, Logan offers numerous opportunities for outdoor activities including skiing, biking, fishing, and hiking. Logan is a 90-minute drive to Salt Lake City and within a half day’s drive to many National Parks, Monuments, and Conservation Areas.

For questions about this position, please contact search committee chair Edd Hammill at: edd.hammill@usu.edu

Please submit applications by November 15, 2023.

Responsibilities This faculty role is defined as 50% research, 40% teaching, 10% service. The faculty member will be expected to successfully compete for external research grants that support undergraduate and graduate student researchers as well as publish peer-reviewed journal articles and other academic products. Beyond traditional academic products, we seek individuals dedicated to ensuring their research has positive, meaningful impacts on policy, management, restoration, and societal awareness. Promotion to Associate Professor with tenure is based on demonstrating excellence in research and effectiveness in teaching and service.

Qualifications Minimum qualifications:

An earned Ph.D. in fields such as, but not limited to ecology, earth sciences, environmental sciences, civil and environmental engineering Demonstrated research expertise in field related to watershed sciences  Preferred qualifications:

Evidence of the potential to develop an externally funded research program in a discipline related to watershed sciences, based on innovative and transformative research. Relevant postdoctoral experience. Demonstrated ability to work productively with personnel in state, federal, or non-governmental water, land and wildlife management agencies and various stakeholder groups. A clear commitment to increasing the participation of under-represented groups in science and natural resources. Evidence of effective teaching and mentoring of undergraduate or graduate students. Demonstrated ability to communicate scientific issues to diverse audiences.  Research experience relevant to at least one of the “themes of interest”, above. Complementarity to existing faculty expertise in the USU Quinney College of Natural Resources (Watershed Sciences, Wildland Resources, and/or Environment and Society Departments), or other departments at USU.  Please visit the application page  for more information.