Professor Jobs

About The Position

Requirements

• Earned Ph.D. in soil science, microbiology, microbial ecology, ecology, biogeochemistry, or a closely related discipline by the time of appointment.
• Training and research expertise in soil microbiology or closely related microbial processes in terrestrial systems.
• Evidence of scholarly productivity and potential to develop an externally funded research program.
• Potential for effective teaching and mentoring at undergraduate and graduate levels.
• Strong written, oral, interpersonal, and collaborative communication skills.

Nice To Haves

• Experience integrating laboratory and field studies using advanced analytical, molecular, omics, imaging, quantitative, geospatial, or modeling approaches.
• Research connecting microbial processes with soil health, nutrient cycling, plant productivity, water relations, climate resilience, or land management.
• Evidence of successful teaching or instructional development in soil science, microbiology, ecology, or a related field.
• Experience mentoring students and building collaborative, interdisciplinary research teams.
• Demonstrated ability or strong potential to secure competitive extramural funding from public and/or private sources.

Responsibilities

• Develop and sustain an innovative, externally funded research program in soil microbiology and related soil, plant, ecosystem, or land-management systems.
• Use suitable laboratory, field, molecular, analytical, statistical, computational, or modeling approaches to address fundamental and applied questions.
• Publish research in peer-reviewed outlets and present findings at professional meetings and other scholarly venues.
• Recruit and mentor graduate and undergraduate students and support their professional development and research success.
• Collaborate with faculty and partners across PSC, QANR, the Utah Agricultural Experiment Station, USU Extension, the Ecology Center, and relevant state, federal, academic, and private-sector organizations.
• Teach Soil Microbiology (3 credits, alternate years), Soil Health and Fertility (3 credits, annually), and the Plants, Soils, and Climate Seminar (1 credit each semester).
• Develop and teach a new or pre-existing course that complements the candidate’s expertise, meets the full teaching load, strengthens soil science curricula, and addresses departmental needs.
• Advise and mentor students and contribute to recruitment, retention, experiential learning, and student success.
• Participate in appropriate department, college, university, and professional service.
• Contribute to collaborative academic programs, committees, student activities, and disciplinary societies.

Benefits

• Excellent university benefits.
• Dual Career Assistance Program for partners seeking employment.
• Reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities.