Assistant Professor in Aquatic Ecology

Overview

The Department of Watershed Sciences at Utah State University (USU) invites applications for a full-time (9-month), tenure-track position as an Assistant Professor in Aquatic Ecology. The position's responsibilities will be distributed as follows: 90% teaching and 10% university/professional service. The position will be based at USU’s main campus in Logan, Utah, with a start date of August 2026.

We seek an engaging, student-centered educator with the ability to teach, and, where appropriate, develop courses across a broad suite of aquatic science disciplines. The successful candidate will contribute to undergraduate and graduate instruction (2000–6000 level) in any of the following areas: aquatic ecology, fish ecology, fisheries science, limnology, marine ecology, and aquatic macroinvertebrates. Teaching may involve delivering established departmental courses or designing new offerings that expand and strengthen our aquatic curriculum. Courses typically blend classroom instruction with laboratory and field-based learning, and the position offers additional opportunities to create innovative field or study-abroad experiences.

As a teaching-focused tenure-track position, the successful candidate will also help build departmental teaching capacity by developing new courses and curricular pathways (e.g., certificates, emphases) and by engaging with current pedagogical research and best practices.

Other preferred characteristics include proficiency in Python and/or R, strong skills in quantitative analysis and data visualization, excellent written and oral communication, and experience working collaboratively with colleagues, students, and external partners.

Applicant review will begin January 31, 2026. For more information about the position, the department, the university or any other informal enquiries please contact either [email protected] (department head) or [email protected] (search committee chair).

Responsibilities

The expected teaching load will be 6–7 courses (~18 academic credits) per year. This may include several large-format undergraduate (2000–3000 level) courses that serve both majors and non-majors, as well as one or two upper-level undergraduate/graduate courses. We are particularly interested in candidates who can offer advanced instruction in fish habitats, macroinvertebrate ecology and identification, stream ecology, data analysis techniques, and/or quantitative fisheries science. Some courses may be delivered in short-course formats (e.g., 1–2 intensive weeks or partial semester blocks) and/or online asynchronous format, as appropriate.

The successful candidate is also encouraged to engage undergraduates in research experiences through directed studies, undergraduate theses, or course-based research projects. Promotion to Associate Professor with tenure is based on demonstrated excellence in the primary role area (teaching) and effectiveness in secondary roles (service).

The candidate’s expertise should complement the strengths of the S.J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Agriculture & Natural Resources and the newly integrated department formed from the current Departments of Wildland Resources and Watershed Sciences, which will commence in 2026. This restructuring brings together long-standing and highly collaborative faculty in ecology and natural resources, creating a unified home for aquatic and terrestrial ecology teaching and research. Through collaborations with departmental faculty, colleagues across campus, and extension personnel, the appointed faculty member is expected to become an integral part of the highly productive team of State University.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• An earned Ph.D. in aquatic ecology, fisheries science, limnology, ecology, biology, environmental science, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated experience in teaching aquatic ecology or closely related subjects (e.g., fisheries, stream ecology, limnology, macroinvertebrate ecology).
• Evidence of the ability to develop and deliver new courses that expand and strengthen the department’s teaching portfolio.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Relevant postdoctoral or equivalent professional experience in teaching and/or curriculum development.
• A demonstrated ability to develop and implement innovative, evidence-based teaching methods (e.g., active learning, field-based instruction, inclusive pedagogy, or course-based research experiences).
• A demonstrated ability or strong potential to contribute to the scholarship of teaching and learning (e.g., pedagogical publications, presentations, or funded education projects).
• A strong record of, and clear commitment to, promoting access, inclusion, and success for students from diverse backgrounds in STEM fields.

Required Documents

Along with the online application, please attach:

• Complete curriculum vitae to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Resume/CV" 
• Name and contact information for three professional references to be entered at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile 
• Please upload the following documents at the beginning of your application under "Other Documents 1-10" 
  • Cover Letter summarizing your motivation for applying, your qualifications, and your career goals. 
  • Teaching Vision Statement (up to two single-spaced pages) describing your relevant teaching experience and articulating a vision for the courses, programs, and student experiences you would like to develop in the Department of Watershed Sciences. 
  • Examples of Communication to Target Audiences – links or PDFs of materials (e.g., websites, social media, video, podcasts, outreach materials, fact sheets, flyers, etc.) that demonstrate your ability to communicate scientific concepts in aquatic ecology or related fields to non-specialist audiences. 
  • Links to any scholarly profiles, e.g., ResearchGate, Google Scholar, ResearcherID, ORCID. 

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

Advertised Salary

Commensurate with experience, plus excellent benefits.

ADA

Employees work indoors and are protected from weather and/or contaminants, but not, necessarily, occasional temperature changes. The employee is regularly required to sit and often uses repetitive hand motions.The environment and physical requirements may change depending on the specific function of the work each department performs. Incumbents may be in both indoor and outdoor environments. Indoors, protected from weather and/or contaminants, but not, necessarily, occasional temperature changes. The employee is regularly required to sit and often uses repetitive hand motions.

Outdoors, incumbents may not be protected from weather conditions and may be exposed to extreme heat and extreme cold. Additionally, indoor or outdoor work environments may include being confined or in narrow spaces for periods of time. The incumbent may also be exposed to loud noises or vibrations from equipment, and conditions that may affect the respiratory system, such as fumes, odors, dusts, mists, gases, and poor ventilation. Bending, crawling, and crouching may be required. Incumbents may be required to lift, push, and/or pull objects up to 25 pounds and be required to walk and/or stand for periods of time.

College/Department Highlights

The S.J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Agriculture and Natural Resources is committed to enhancing lives and landscapes through education, research, and outreach. We work across biological, physical, and socioeconomic boundaries to better understand natural and managed ecosystems and to promote the ethical use of land, food, water, and economic resources. Our faculty are nationally and internationally recognized for their scholarship and engage in collaborations that advance discovery and innovation across disciplines. Many hold Extension appointments that connect their research directly to communities throughout Utah. 

With a statewide network of campuses and learning centers, the college serves people in both urban and rural communities as part of the university’s land-grant mission. We foster professional collaboration within and beyond the university, and experiential learning for students at all phases of their academic path. Faculty and students benefit from Utah’s remarkable and varied landscapes, which provide unparalleled opportunities for field-based research, education, and outreach. 

University Highlights

Founded in 1888, Utah State University is Utah’s premier land-grant, public service university. As an R1 research institution, Utah State is dedicated to advancing knowledge and serving the public good through innovative research and scholarly activities that are grounded in reciprocal engagement with local, regional, and global communities. USU prepares students to be active, civically engaged leaders who are prepared to address critical societal challenges. Dedicated to providing a high-quality and affordable education, USU remains a leader in research, discovery, and public impact.

USU enrolls over 29,800 students, both online and in person at locations throughout the state. Utah State’s 30 locations include a main campus in Logan, Utah, residential campuses in Price and Blanding, and six additional statewide campuses, along with education centers serving every county. USU educates students from all 50 states and more than 80 countries. For over 100 years, USU Extension has served and engaged Utahns, serving every county in the state.

Competing at the NCAA Division I level, USU is a proud member of the Mountain West Conference and will join the Pac-12 Conference beginning in the 2026-2027 season. The Aggies’ long-standing tradition of athletic and academic excellence is exemplified by recent Mountain West regular-season and tournament championships in women’s volleyball, three consecutive Mountain West tournament titles in women’s soccer conference championships, and a first-ever conference championship for gymnastics, reflecting USU's commitment to perseverance and achievement.

Utah State is dedicated to fostering a community where all individuals feel respected, valued, and supported and where diversity of thought and culture are cultivated. 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 Program to support careers for partners who are also seeking employment. Additionally, USU is committed to providing access and a reasonable accommodation 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 [email protected]. 

*updated 12/2025

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

Utah State University is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination including harassment in employment including in hiring, promotion, transfer, or termination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy or any other federal, state, or local law.

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In all circumstances, Utah State University follows state and federal laws related to sex-segregated spaces.

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:

Matthew Pinner

Executive Director

Civil Rights & Title IX Office

[email protected]

435-797-1266 | Old Main Rm. 401D

1475 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322

Cody Carmichael

Title IX Coordinator

[email protected]

435-797-1266 | Old Main Rm. 402D

1475 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322

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

U.S. Department of Education

Denver Regional Office

303-844-5695| [email protected]

U.S. Department of Education

Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights

800-421-3481 |  [email protected]

*updated 10/2025