Assistant Professor in Forest Ecology

Overview

The Department of Wildland Resources at Utah State University seeks applications for a full-time, nine-month tenure track Assistant Professor position in forest ecology. The position consists of 50% research, 40% teaching, and 10% service, and will be located at Utah State University’s Logan campus. The anticipated start date is August 1, 2027.

Review of applications will begin January 6, 2027.

Applications received by the initial screening date of January 6, 2027 will receive priority consideration; the position will remain open until filled.

Potential applicants with specific questions are welcome to contact the search committee chairs, Justin DeRose ([email protected]) or Larissa Yocom ([email protected]).

Responsibilities

The appointed faculty member will be expected to develop an externally-funded program that achieves national and international recognition for research and graduate training in forest ecology. Research areas may include, but are not limited to:

• Organismal, population or community ecology of forests, forest dynamics, climate impacts on forests, disturbance ecology, forest resilience and restoration, and sustainable management of forests.
• We seek a colleague with expertise that complements existing faculty strengths and natural resources research programs in the Department of Wildland Resources and the S.J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

The incumbent will teach an undergraduate course on forest plants, plus 1-2 courses at the undergraduate and graduate level determined in consultation with the department head (e.g., forest ecology), depending on candidate expertise and the needs of the department.

• The faculty member will mentor and advise undergraduate students, graduate students, and post-doctoral scholars from diverse backgrounds;
• Will contribute to the Society of American Foresters-accredited Forest Ecology & Management B.S. degree program;
• Will have the opportunity to collaborate with USU’s Utah Forest Restoration Institute, Ecology Center, and T.W. Daniel Experimental Forest;
• Actively engage with Utah’s forestry professionals.
• Actively engage with students and student organizations to extend experiential learning and career development opportunities beyond the classroom.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in forestry, forest biology, forest ecology or closely related discipline
• Knowledge, experience and training in basic and/or applied forest ecology, with a focus at the organismal, population, or community level
• A record of producing peer-reviewed scientific publications commensurate with the applicant’s career stage
• Relevant postdoctoral research

Preferred Qualifications:

Preference will be given to those candidates with:

• A record of securing research funding
• A demonstrated ability to effectively serve as a teacher and mentor to undergraduate and graduate students
• 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
• Experience and interest in developing field-based research projects
• An interest in developing research projects in Utah and the Intermountain West
• Experience working and integrating across multiple spatiotemporal scales and levels of ecological organization
• Experience or interest in applying novel or emerging analytical methods to address complex questions in forest ecology
• A commitment to increasing participation of under-represented groups in natural resources
• A demonstrated ability to effectively communicate about forest science to diverse audiences
• Demonstrated service to the profession

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”

Cover Letter to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Documents 1-10”

Statement of research interests to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Documents 1-10”

Statement of teaching philosophy to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Documents 1-10”

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

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

Advertised Salary

Commensurate with experience, plus excellent benefits

ADA

Employees typically work indoors and are protected from weather and/or contaminants, but not, necessarily, occasional temperature changes.  

University Highlights

As Utah’s student-centered, land-grant research university, Utah State University expands opportunity and strengthens communities across the state through learning, discovery, extension, and engagement. Founded in 1888, USU now holds two Carnegie distinctions: R1 status for very high research activity and the Carnegie Community Engagement Classification. Its innovative research and scholarship is grounded in reciprocal partnerships with local, regional, and global communities, advancing knowledge and serving the public good across Utah, the nation, and the world. With over 50 world-class research facilities and the nation’s second-oldest undergraduate research program, USU prepares students to become active, civically engaged leaders who can address critical societal challenges.

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, which it joined 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 it 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 10/26

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