Janet Quinney Lawson Endowed Chair in Colorado River Studies
Janet Quinney Lawson Endowed Chair in Colorado River Studies
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Job Description
Overview
The S.J. and Jessie E. Quinney College of Natural Resources (QCNR) at Utah State University (USU) invites applications for the Janet Quinney Lawson Endowed Chair in Colorado River Studies. The successful candidate will also serve as Director of the Center for Colorado River Studies and as faculty in a research teaching and outreach role in one of the colleges three departments (Environment and Society Watershed Sciences and Wildland Resources). The tenuretrack position is part of an institutional effort to expand capacity and outreach in issues critical to the Colorado River Basin.
The faculty rank for the position is open. We welcome applications from scientists scholars or policymakers with a Ph.D. in any relevant biological physical or social science or engineering field or with a J.D. degree who possess a strong record of funded research or policy experience relevant to the Colorado River Basin. This tenuretrack fulltime (ninemonth) position will be administratively based at the USU main campus in Logan Utah; however we would consider applicants desiring a strong presence at any of USUs Statewide Campuses including Moab Vernal Blanding Monument Valley or Salt Lake City. The position starts August 2025.
Review of applications begins December 10 2024.
For further information contact Dr. Christopher Lant
or Dr. James Lutz Search Committee coChairs.
Responsibilities
- Serve as Director of the Center for Colorado River Studies in Utah States Janet Quinney Lawson Institute for Land Water and Air.
- Establish a strong record in a faculty role in research or in policyrelevant outreach and foster a collaborative culture focused on applied science and management of the Colorado River and its tributaries.
- Seek extramural funding to support research students and outreach.
- Advise and mentor graduate students and teach 12 courses per year in one of QCNRs three departments.
- Participate in faculty duties on campus as well as professional involvement offcampus.
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:
- Earned Ph.D. or J.D. in any field of study applicable to science engineering policy or management in the Colorado River Basin.
- Demonstrated capacity to develop the Center for Colorado River Studies into an interdisciplinary Center focused on fostering the physical and social science needed to best manage the Colorado River and its basin.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience working with local state tribal or federal agencies or other organizations in the management of the Colorado River or its basin and demonstrated interest in ongoing engagement with these interested groups.
- Demonstrated potential to build and maintain a productive interdisciplinary research program including the ability to secure competitive external funding.
- A publication record consistent with career stage.
- Demonstrated excellence in written and oral communication skills.
- Demonstrated understanding of the legal and policy environment in which the Colorado River and its basin are managed.
- Experience in influencing policy in the realm of water resources and the environment.
- Demonstrated ability to contribute to a learning community with members from a range of backgrounds and experiences and to foster a sense of belonging for all participants and students.
- Experience teaching universitylevel courses relevant to large rivers.
- Experience organizing field experiences with students or interested groups.
- Experience in extramural fundraising.
Required Documents
Along with the online application please attach:
- Resume to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under Resume/CV
- The names and contact information for 3 professional references to be entered into Candidate Profile.
Please do not attach the following required documents in the candidate profile; you will be instructed to copy and paste later on in the application.
- Cover letter (maximum 2 pages)
- Statement of research and outreach experience and interests (maximum 2 pages)
- Perspective statement on how you understand the issues of the Colorado River Basin and how Utah State Universitys Center for Colorado River Studies could contribute to confronting these issues (maximum 2 pages)
**Document size may not exceed 10 MB.**
Advertised Salary
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 50 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 socioenvironmental is a highimpact college at Utah State University with over $17M in research funding annually 55 tenuretrack faculty in three departments and close partnerships with federal and state natural resource agencies. Work in QCNR traverses biological physical and social systems with close collaboration among faculty and students across the three departments to advance scientific knowledge train future leaders and translate research into ontheground management and policy.
Education extension and outreach are a major focus for QCNR faculty and staff and the College is home to pioneering entities including the Ecology Center which houses the Climate Adaptation Science program; the US Geological Surveys Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit the Institute of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism; the National Aquatic Monitoring Center; the Utah Geospatial Consortium; the USU Dendrochronology Laboratory; the Berryman Institute; and the T.W. Daniel Experimental Forest. Faculty achieve excellence in research and graduate education through a diverse suite of funding including from the National Science Foundation US Department of the Interior US Department of Agriculture state agencies and private entities. QCNR has close relationships with USUs Janet Quinney Lawson Institute for Land Water and Air which acts to connect USU research expertise on land water and air to decisionmakers for the state of Utah.
QCNR has approximately 500 undergraduate and 200 graduate students currently enrolled in a wide variety of degree programs. With strong emphasis on student learning and engagement the College has robust programs in undergraduate research internship opportunities and opportunities for communityengaged learning. QCNR has a reputation not just for highimpact research and teaching but for an exceptionally collaborative and collegial community. We deeply believe in the work we do and take a leadership role in fostering a more sustainable world. We value inclusive excellence and principles of community in natural resource and environmental education research and extension & outreach. We are actively working to create a more inclusive college climate and to recruit and retain students faculty and staff who contribute to college goals of inclusive excellence.
University Highlights
Founded in 1888 Utah State University is Utahs premier landgrant 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 highquality and affordable education USU remains a leader in research discovery and public impact.
USU enrolls 28900 students both online and in person atlocations throughout the state. Utah States 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 Online educates students from all 50 states and 55 countries. For over 25 years USU Extension has served and engaged Utahns in all of Utahs counties.
Competing at the NCAA Division I level USU is a proud member of the Mountain West Conference and will join the Pac12 Conference beginning in theseason. The Aggies longstanding tradition of athletic and academic excellence is exemplified by conference championships in multiple sports reflecting USUs commitment to perseverance and achievement.
Utah State is dedicated to fostering a community where all individuals feel respected valued and supported. We seek to recruit hire and retain people from all walks of life who willchampion excellence in education research discovery outreach and believe that promoting a strong sense of community and belonging empowers and engages all members of USU to thrive and be recognized our commitment to employees when they namedUtah State the best employer in Utahin 2023.Learn moreabout USU.
The university provides aDual Career Assistance Programto support careers for partners who are also seeking is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability contact the universitys ADA Coordinator in the Office of Human Resources ator.
*updated 02/2025
Notice of Nondiscrimination
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 USUs nondiscrimination policies:
Executive Director of the Office of EquityMatthew PinnerDistance Education Rm.
Title IX CoordinatorCody Carmichael Distance Education Rm.
Mailing address: 5100 Old Main Hill Logan UT 84322
For further information regarding nondiscrimination please visit or contact:
U.S. Department of EducationOffice of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
*updated 09/2023
Employment Type
Full-Time
