Plant & Wildlife Sciences – CFS Professional Faculty – Environmental Analytical Laboratory Director

Brigham Young University; United States; On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Brigham Young University invites applications for Environmental Analytical Laboratory Director in the Plant & Wildlife Sciences Department. The position combines teaching 4–5 courses per year with mentoring, and leadership of a client-facing lab serving diverse stakeholders.

Applicants should have a doctoral degree (MS considered) and strong lab, teaching, and budgeting experience; responsibilities include SOP development, instrument oversight, safety, and mentoring students toward scholarly

Qualifications

• Doctoral degree preferred; MS considered if experience aligns.
• Teaching and mentoring experience required.
• Laboratory experience and management preferred.
• Ability to work in a client-facing research lab.

Responsibilities

• Mentor undergraduate students in the EAL.
• Serve on graduate committees in association with students who use the EAL.
• Develop and maintain standard operating procedures and quality control systems.
• Perform routine maintenance and safety checks on laboratory equipment and protocols.
• Responsible for researching, evaluating, recommending, purchasing, and installing laboratory instrumentation and overseeing its operation, maintenance and repair.
• Develop and administer laboratory budgets, with responsibility for balancing laboratory income with costs including wages, supplies, and equipment needs.
• Identify and pursue income and funding to support the mentoring goals of the lab.

Skills

Teaching experience

Lab management

Mentoring

Environmental compliance

Education

Doctoral degree

MS degree considered

Job description

Job Title: Plant & Wildlife Sciences - CFS Professional Faculty - Environmental Analytical Laboratory Director

Posting End Date: October 15, 2026. Last day to apply is Wednesday, October 14, 2026 @ 11:59 pm MST.

Position Start Date: July 1, 2027

Required Degree: A doctoral degree in a field related to environmental science is preferred, although applicants with an M.S. degree and experience as an environmental professional will be considered. The required degree must be completed by the start date.

Experience: Teaching and mentoring experience: Teaching experience relevant to the position and the applicant’s career status will be evaluated. The applicant should document their teaching interests, experience, vision, and how these could strengthen the BYU ESS program. Laboratory and managerial experience: Experience in a laboratory setting is required and lab management experience is preferred.

Teaching: The successful candidate will teach 4-5 regular classroom or laboratory courses (12-15 credit hours) per year in the ESS program, plus mentoring courses (approximately 50%). The teaching assignment will include an undergraduate environmental skills and certifications course designed to support students seeking professional environmental science jobs. Other assigned courses will depend on expertise and need but could include environmental science courses connected to the function of the EAL such as Soil Science with associated lab, Watershed Ecology, Environmental Policies and Laws, Quantitative Environmental Chemistry, or other courses focused on water, plant science, and/or environmental chemistry.

Managerial: Director of the BYU Environmental Analytical Lab (approximately 45%). The EAL is a core research facility of the College of Life Sciences under the direction of the Plant and Wildlife Sciences Department (PWS). The EAL performs chemical and physical testing of environmental samples (water, soils, sediments, plant or other organic tissues) for a diverse set of customers from inside and outside of BYU. The EAL is focused on student mentoring in a client-facing lab setting.

• Mentoring undergraduate students in the EAL, leading to tangible mentoring products such as student-led presentations at scientific meetings, abstracts, or papers.
• Service on graduate committees in association with students who use the EAL to process samples related to their graduate research.
• Develop and maintain standard operating procedures and quality control systems that ensure analyses are conducted efficiently and according to established scientific standards.
• Perform routine maintenance and safety checks on laboratory equipment and protocols.
• Responsible for researching, evaluating, recommending, purchasing, and installing laboratory instrumentation and overseeing its operation, maintenance and repair.
• Develop and administer laboratory budgets, with responsibility for balancing laboratory income with costs including wages, supplies, and equipment needs.
• Identify and pursue income and funding to support the mentoring goals of the lab.

Citizenship: Faculty are expected to participate actively in departmental, college, and university governance and engage in the intellectual and community life of the university (approximately 5%).

Documents Required at the Time of Application

BELONGING STATEMENT United by our common primary identity as children of God, BYU values equal opportunity. We also value and embrace the variety of individual characteristics, life experiences and circumstances, perspectives, talents, and gifts of each member of the BYU community and the richness and strength they bring in helping create and support an environment of covenant belonging centered in Jesus Christ. Candidates with experience in and commitment to mentoring students from a variety of backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS

All new employees who are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will be required to hold and be worthy to hold a current temple recommend.

All faculty are required to abide by the university’s Honor Code and Dress & Grooming Standards.

Preference is given to qualified candidates who are members in good standing of the affiliated church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Successful candidates are expected to support and contribute to the academic and religious missions of the university within the context of the principles and doctrine of the affiliated church.

BYU is an equal opportunity employer, including disability and protected veteran status.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

Brigham Young University is an equal opportunity employer, including disability and protected veteran status.

The mission of Brigham Young University - founded, supported, and guided by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - is to assist individuals in their quest for perfection and eternal life.

BYU employees must possess a commitment to the Mission of Brigham Young University and the Aims of a BYU Education.

That commitment is demonstrated through the following behaviors, attitudes, and expressions: intentionality in building faith in Jesus Christ and testimony of His restored gospel among members of the BYU community commitment to seek and be led by the Holy Ghost in all aspects of university assignments student-centeredness above all other professional pursuits excellence in teaching, scholarship, mentoring, and citizenship commitment to a campus culture of unity, love, and belonging a pattern of exemplary conduct that combines spiritual values and personal integrity in conducting work in a professional manner consistent with the values espoused by the university and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints a pattern of public expression that faithfully promotes the mission and doctrines of the Church; is devoid of contradicting or opposing Church doctrines, policies, and general leaders; and refrains from expressions and behaviors that are dishonest, unchaste, profane, or disrespectful of others.

BYU is an equal opportunity employer, including disability and protected veteran status.