Assistant Professor in Forest Health and Restoration - Utah State University

Overview:

The Department of Wildland Resources and the Utah Forest Restoration Institute at Utah State University seek applications for a full-time, 9-month tenure-track Assistant Professor position in forest health and restoration. The position consists of 50% research, 40% teaching, and 10% service.

 

The appointed faculty member will join and contribute to the mission of the Utah Forest Restoration Institute (UFRI) at Utah State University, a new entity that is being built as a hub to advance forest restoration science and management, to train the next generation of Utah forest managers, and to create new partnerships of forest managers and researchers throughout Utah and the Interior West. Thanks to a new ongoing appropriation by the Utah Legislature, UFRI joins existing institutes in adjacent Southwest states in efforts to improve the health of forest and woodland ecosystems in the region by leveraging best-science practices to reduce the risks and impacts of wildfire and other forest disturbances.

 

Review of applications begins December 20, 2024. The anticipated start date is August 1, 2025.

Responsibilities:

The incumbent will be expected to develop an externally-funded program that achieves both national and international recognition for research and graduate training in forest health and/or forest health restoration. Research areas may include, but are not limited to: forest entomology, forest pathology, invasive species, forest restoration, climate change impacts on forest health and ecology, and the use of forest management to improve forest stand and ecosystem health. We seek a colleague that brings demonstrated expertise that complements existing faculty strengths in the Quinney College of Natural Resources.

 

The incumbent will develop and teach an undergraduate-level class in forest health, plus 1-2 classes at the undergraduate and/or graduate level determined in consultation with the department head (specific courses will depend upon candidate expertise and the needs of the department). The appointed faculty member will mentor and advise undergraduate students, graduate students, and post-doctoral researchers from diverse backgrounds; will contribute to the Society of American Foresters-accredited Forest Ecology & Management degree program; and will actively engage with Utah’s forestry and forest health professionals.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

• An earned Ph.D. in fields such as, but not limited to, forestry, biology, entomology, or ecology
• Knowledge, experience, and training in forest health and/or restoration

 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Relevant post-doctoral experience
• Demonstrated expertise in one or more of the research areas highlighted above
• Record of peer-reviewed scientific publications commensurate with the applicant’s career stage
• A record of securing research funding
• An interest in developing field-based research projects in Utah and the Intermountain West
• A demonstrated ability and willingness to work productively with land management agencies and various interested parties, and to contribute to USU’s land grant mission
• Ability to effectively serve as a teacher and mentor to undergraduate and graduate students
• A commitment to increasing participation of under-represented groups in natural resources
• Expertise that complements those of current faculty
• Demonstrated service to the profession

Required Documents:

Along with the online application, please attach:

1. CV to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Resume/CV"
2. Research statement to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Documents 1-10”
3. Teaching statement to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Documents 1-10”
4. Name and contact information for 3 professional references to be entered into Candidate Profile
5. Cover letter to be typed/pasted at the end of your application

**Document size may not exceed 10 MB.**

Advertised Salary:Commensurate with experience, plus excellent benefits.ADA:

The environment and physical requirements may change depending on the specific function of the work performed. Incumbents may be in both indoor and outdoor environments. Indoors, in an office space, event space, or public space are protected from weather conditions, but not necessarily from temperature changes. Incumbents may nearly continuously sit and often use repetitive hand motion (such as typing).  

 

Outdoors, incumbents may not be protected from weather conditions and may be exposed to extreme heat and extreme cold. Bending, crawling, and crouching may be required. Incumbents may be required to lift, push, and/or pull objects up to 75 pounds and be required to walk and/or stand for long periods of time.  

College/Department Highlights:

The S. J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Natural Resources is nationally and internationally recognized for its research, extension, and teaching on natural and socio-environmental ecosystems. It is a high-impact college at Utah State University with over $15M in research funding annually, 55 tenure-track faculty in three departments, and close partnerships with federal and state natural resource agencies.  

 

The Department of Wildland Resources in QCNR encompasses research in applied terrestrial ecology, including the ecology and management of wildlife, forests, rangelands, conservation biology, and climate change adaptation.  Award-winning faculty teach courses that prepare students for professional careers in many natural resources fields, including programs accredited by the Society of American Foresters and the Society for Range Management and aligned with the Society of Ecological Restoration. 

 

Utah Forest Restoration Institute joins existing institutes in adjacent Southwest states in efforts to improve the health of forest and woodland ecosystems in the regionby leveraging best-science practices to reduce the risks and impacts of wildfire and other disturbances.

University Highlights:

Founded in 1888, Utah State University is Utah’s premier land-grant, public service university, with a strong commitment to excellence, access, and inclusion, empowering people to lead successful lives of involvement, innovation, and impact. Utah State provides high-quality education to 27,500-plus students locations throughout the state, including at three residential campuses, eight statewide campuses, and 23 education centers. USU Online educates students from all 50 states and 55 countries. For over 25 years, USU Extension has served and engaged Utahns in all of Utah’s counties. As an R1 research institution, Utah State is dedicated to advancing knowledge through research and scholarly activities, providing a high-quality undergraduate and graduate education at an affordable price.

 

Utah State is committed to cultivating a community of inclusive excellence where all perspectives, values, cultures, and identities are acknowledged, welcomed, and valued. 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 they named Utah State the best employer in Utah in 2023. Learn more about USU. 

 

The university provides a Dual Career Assistance Programto support careers for partners who are also seeking employment. Additionally, USU is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodations 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 hr@usu.edu. 

 

About the Region

U.S. News and World Report ranked Utah first for its strong economy, fiscal stability, education, and health care. Outstanding outdoor recreational opportunities abound throughout the state, including five national parks, 43 state parks and recreation areas, and 15 alpine ski resorts. The home of USU’s main campus, Logan, is a city of 54,000-plus people in a picturesque mountain valley 80 miles north of Salt Lake City. The Logan metro area claimed the top spot in the Milken Institute’s 2022 ranking for best-performing small cities in the nation. 

 

*updated 04/2024

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

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

 

Executive Director of the Office of Equity Matthew Pinner, discrimination@usu.edu, Distance Education Rm. 401, 435-797-1266

Title IX Coordinator Cody Carmichael, titleix@usu.edu, Distance Education Rm. 404, 435-797-1266

Mailing address: 5100 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322

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

U.S. Department of Education, Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 800-421-3481, OCR@ed.gov

*updated 09/2023