Assistant Professor - Environmental and Natural Resources Policy

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 (catrin.edgeley).

• 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.

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.

commensurate with education and experience, plus excellent benefits

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

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,…