Assistant Professor - Environmental and Natural Resources Policy

Utah State University; Logan (UT); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Utah State University invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position in environmental and natural resources policy at the main campus in Logan. The role emphasizes a research program at the science-policy interface, and teaching across environmental studies, environmental science, sustainability, geography, and recreation resource management.

Start date August 2027, with 50% research, 40% teaching, and 10% service.

Qualifications

• An earned PhD (or JD with academic experience) in a field related to environmental or natural resources policy or science.
• Demonstrated application of research to environmental and natural resource policy.
• Familiarity with policy-related research methods, accompanied by the instructional capacity and willingness to teach coursework in this area.
• Demonstrated potential to build and maintain a productive research program, including ability to secure external funding.
• Evidence of successful collaboration with natural and social scientists as well as practitioners across disciplines.

Responsibilities

• The successful candidate will lead a research program that investigates environmental and natural resources policy.
• Teaching includes courses that contribute to the Department's curriculum areas in environmental studies, environmental science and sustainability, geography, and recreation resource management.
• Courses may be taught at both undergraduate and graduate levels and may be delivered in person, via virtual or online learning, or in a blended format.
• Student advising includes mentoring undergraduate researchers and advising graduate students in a supportive learning environment that promotes the success of all students.
• Community engagement, broadly defined, is encouraged and integrated into our mission, climate, and culture.
• Service includes participation in faculty duties on campus as well as professional involvement off campus.

Education

PhD in environmental or natural resources policy or related field

Job description

Overview

The Department of Environment and Society (ENVS) at Utah State University (USU) invites applications for a tenure-track position of Assistant Professor with expertise in environmental and natural resources policy. We seek applicants who work at the science-policy interface, connecting scientific knowledge with policy development, design, implementation, or adoption, to support environmental and natural resource management, stewardship, and decision making. Possible areas of policy expertise could include air quality, climate, critical minerals, energy, land use, public lands, outdoor recreation, water, or wildlife, as examples. We welcome applications from those working across an array of environmental and natural resource contexts, with relevance to the state of Utah especially welcome. Teaching expectations will include a combination of online/virtual and in-person courses that contribute to the Department's curriculum. This tenure-track, full-time academic year (nine-month) position is based at the USU main campus in Logan. The emphasis for the position is 50% research, 40% teaching/advising, and 10% service. The position will start August 2027. Background information is available on the webpages for the Department of Environment and Society and its home, the S.J. and Jessie E. Quinney College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

Application review will begin December 1, 2026. The position will remain open until filled, but application by the date above is encouraged for full consideration. Candidates from all backgrounds and populations are encouraged to apply. For further information contact the search committee chair, Dr. Cat Edgeley ([e-mail]).

Responsibilities

• The successful candidate will lead a research program that investigates environmental and natural resources policy.


• Teaching includes courses that contribute to the Department's curriculum areas in environmental studies, environmental science and sustainability, geography, and recreation resource management. The successful candidate could expect to teach courses in the area of environmental and natural resources policy but might also be asked to contribute in other departmental curricular areas.


• Courses may be taught at both undergraduate and graduate levels and may be delivered in person, via virtual or online learning, or in a blended format.


• Student advising includes mentoring undergraduate researchers and advising graduate students in a supportive learning environment that promotes the success of all students.


• Community engagement, broadly defined, is encouraged. Community engagement in research, teaching, and/or service activities is valued by the Department and is integrated into our mission, climate, and culture.


• Service includes participation in faculty duties on campus as well as professional involvement off campus.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• An earned PhD (or JD with academic experience) at date-of-hire in a field related to environmental or natural resources policy or science.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated application of research to environmental and natural resource policy.


• Familiarity with policy-related research methods, accompanied by the instructional capacity and willingness to teach coursework in this area.


• A publication record consistent with career stage.


• Demonstrated potential to build and maintain a productive research program, including the ability to secure competitive external funding.


• Evidence of successful collaboration with natural and social scientists as well as practitioners across disciplines.


• Demonstrated interest in community-engaged research or outreach that complements USU's Land Grant mission.


• Prior teaching and mentoring experience.


• Experience with or the desire to learn about virtual and online course delivery.


• Demonstrated ability to contribute to a learning community of members from a range of backgrounds and experiences and to foster a sense of belonging for all students.

Advertised Salary

commensurate with education and experience, plus excellent benefits

ADA

Employees typically work indoors and are protected from weather and/or contaminants, but not, necessarily, occasional temperature changes.

College/Department Highlights

The Department of Environment and Society applies social, environmental, and interdisciplinary sciences to understand human-environment interactions at a range of scales. Our faculty address complex environmental and societal challenges through innovative research and extension, generating practical insights for managers, policymakers, and practitioners. We provide graduate and undergraduate education in environmental, social and interdisciplinary sciences, recreation resource management, and geography. Together, we value holistic practices and community engagement for a more sustainable tomorrow.

The S.J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Agriculture & Natural Resources (QANR) at USU is known for its research, traditions, and community engagement, with recent highlights including new leadership, special events, and innovative projects. QANR offers 12 departments covering agriculture, food, environment, technology, design, and more, plus associate degrees and technical certificates at statewide campuses.

University Highlights

As Utah’s student-centered, land-grant research university, Utah State University expands opportunity and strengthens communities across the state through learning, discovery, extension, and engagement. Founded in 1888, USU now holds two Carnegie distinctions: R1 status for very high research activity and the Carnegie Community Engagement Classification. Its innovative research and scholarship is grounded in reciprocal partnerships with local, regional, and global communities, advancing knowledge and serving the public good across Utah, the nation, and the world. With over 50 world-class research facilities and the nation’s second-oldest undergraduate research program, USU prepares students to become active, civically engaged leaders who can address critical societal challenges.

USU enrolls over 29,800 students, both online and in person at locations throughout the state. Utah State’s 30 locations include a main campus in Logan, Utah, residential campuses in Price and Blanding, and six additional statewide campuses, along with education centers serving every county. USU educates students from all 50 states and more than 80 countries. For over 100 years, USU Extension has served and engaged Utahns, serving every county in the state.

Competing at the NCAA Division I level in 16 sports, USU is a proud member of the Pac-12 Conference, which it joined July 1, 2026. The Aggies capped a historic final season in the Mountain West by capturing nine combined regular-season and tournament titles in 2025-26, with five teams advancing to postseason play. This tradition of excellence extends to the classroom, where 232 student-athletes earned academic honors, and to the community, where USU ranked second nationally in Division I service hours, with nine teams placing in the top 10 for community service.

Utah State is dedicated to fostering a community where all individuals feel respected, valued, and supported and where diversity of thought and culture are cultivated. 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 it 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 a reasonable accommodation 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 [e-mail].

*updated 10/26

Notice of Non-discrimination

In 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, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy, Title IX, or any other federal, state, or local law.

Utah State University is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination including harassment in employment including in hiring, promotion, transfer, or termination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy or any other federal, state, or local law.

Utah State University does not discriminate in its housing offerings and will treat all persons fairly and equally without regard to race, color, religion, sex, familial status, disability, national origin, source of income, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Additionally, the University endeavors to provide reasonable accommodations when necessary and to ensure equal access to qualified persons with disabilities.

In all circumstances, Utah State University follows state and federal laws related to sex-segregated spaces.

The following office has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the application of Title IX and its implementing regulations and/or USU's non-discrimination policies:

Civil Rights & Title IX Office

Old Main Room 405

1475 Old Main Hill, Logan UT 84322

[e-mail]

[phone]

For further information regarding non-discrimination, please visit crtix.usu.edu or contact:

U.S. Department of Education

Denver Regional Office

303-844-5695| [e-mail]

U.S. Department of Education

Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights

800-421-3481 | [e-mail]

*updated 08/2026