Postdoctoral Fellow

Overview

The Department of Geosciences at Utah State University (USU) seeks a full-time postdoctoral researcher to join the NSF-supported collaborative project, “Biology on a Changing Planet Implementation: US-China: Multi-scale, multi-proxy, integrative investigation of functional biodiversity on a changing Proterozoic planet”.  This program was a unique cross-directorate and international program that offers connection and science, between, for example, the United States and China. The post-doctoral researcher will be supervised by Dr. Carol Dehler and will involve close collaboration with other project PIs and teams at Virginia Tech (Ben Gill, Shuhai Xiao), University of California Santa Barbara (Susannah Porter), University of New Mexico (Karl Karlstrom), as well as collaborators based in China (Ke Pang, University of Nanjing).

The successful candidate will bring creativity and originality to the chronostratigraphic framework of this project. Specifically, the candidate will streamline or improve geochronologic lab methods and field methods towards improving the age-duration of these fossil-rich Tonian successions in Arizona, USA and northern China. The postdoc will integrate field-based and laboratory observations to advance the understanding of the tempo of evolutionary change of bacteria and eukaryotes within these Tonian strata. Review of applications will begin on August 10th, 2026, and the position will remain open until filled.

This is a 12-month, full-time position with a salary of $63,000/year plus benefits. Support is available for one and one-half years, with renewal after year 1 contingent on satisfactory progress toward research goals.

Responsibilities

• Develop and carry out independent and collaborative research, making use of field, laboratory, and/or analytical approaches, especially in the fields of geochronology and stratigraphy.
• Engage and collaborate with a team of Geoscientists at USU and partner institutions.
• Mentor and collaborate with graduate and undergraduate students engaged in the project at USU and partner institutions.
• Disseminate research through presentations at scientific meetings and publication in peer-reviewed journals.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• PhD in geosciences with experience in sedimentary systems, stratigraphy, geochronology and/or geochemistry.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrate familiarity with Deep Time, the Geologic Time Scale, field and lab skills, especially geochronology.

Required Documents

Along with the online application, please attach:

Resume/CV to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Resume/CV”

Two professional references with contact information to be typed at the beginning of the application. 

A statement of research background and interests (maximum 2 pages) to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Documents 1-10”

**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.

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 in 16 sports, USU is a proud member of the Pac-12 Conference, officially joining on July 1, 2026. The Aggies capped a historic final season in the Mountain West by capturing nine combined regular-season and tournament titles in 2025–26, with five teams advancing to postseason play. This tradition of excellence extends to the classroom, where 232 student-athletes earned academic honors, and to the community, where USU ranked second nationally in Division I service hours, with nine teams placing in the top 10 for community service.

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 07/2026

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.

Utah State University does not discriminate in its housing offerings and will treat all persons fairly and equally without regard to race, color, religion, sex, familial status, disability, national origin, source of income, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Additionally, the University endeavors to provide reasonable accommodations when necessary and to ensure equal access to qualified persons with disabilities.

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

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

Civil Rights & Title IX Office

Old Main Room 405

1475 Old Main Hill, Logan UT 84322

[email protected]

(435) 797-1266

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 08/2026