Assistant Professor - Environmental and Natural Resources Policy

Utah State University•Logan, UT

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Department of Environment and Society at Utah State University invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track Assistant Professor specializing in environmental and natural resources policy. The successful candidate will work at the science-policy interface, connecting scientific knowledge with policy development, design, implementation, or adoption in support of environmental and natural resource management, stewardship, and decision-making. Possible areas include air quality, climate, critical minerals, energy, land use, public lands, outdoor recreation, water, and wildlife. Work relevant to Utah is especially welcome. Based at the Logan main campus, this is a nine-month academic-year appointment with an allocation of 50% research, 40% teaching and advising, and 10% service. The position is scheduled to start in August 2027. The candidate will lead a research program on environmental and natural resources policy and teach courses contributing to departmental curricula in environmental studies, environmental science and sustainability, geography, and recreation resource management. Courses may be undergraduate or graduate and delivered in person, online or virtually, or in a blended format. The role includes mentoring undergraduate researchers, advising graduate students, participating in campus and professional service, and potentially contributing to community-engaged activities. Applications are encouraged by December 1, 2026, when review begins; the position remains open until filled. The Department applies social, environmental, and interdisciplinary sciences to human-environment interactions and addresses environmental and societal challenges through research, extension, and education. Its programs include environmental, social, and interdisciplinary sciences, recreation resource management, and geography.

Requirements

Earned PhD, or JD with academic experience, by the date of hire 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 and the instructional capacity and willingness to teach coursework in this area.
Publication record consistent with career stage.
Demonstrated potential to build and maintain a productive research program, including ability to secure competitive external funding.
Evidence of successful collaboration with natural and social scientists and practitioners across disciplines.
Demonstrated ability to contribute to a learning community comprising people from a range of backgrounds and experiences and to foster belonging for all students.

Nice To Haves

Demonstrated interest in community-engaged research or outreach that complements USU’s Land Grant mission.
Prior teaching and mentoring experience.
Experience with or desire to learn about virtual and online course delivery.
Expertise relevant to Utah is especially welcome.

Responsibilities

Lead a research program investigating environmental and natural resources policy.
Teach courses contributing to departmental curricula in environmental studies, environmental science and sustainability, geography, and recreation resource management.
Teach environmental and natural resources policy courses and potentially contribute to other departmental curricular areas.
Teach undergraduate and graduate courses in person, online or virtually, or in blended formats.
Mentor undergraduate researchers and advise graduate students in a supportive learning environment.
Participate in faculty duties and service on campus and professional involvement off campus.
Engage with communities through research, teaching, and/or service activities, as appropriate.