Assistant Professor in Aquatic Ecology

The Department of Watershed Sciences at Utah State University is seeking applications for a full-time 9-month tenure-track Assistant Professor position in Aquatic Ecology. The position consists of 90% teaching and 10% service. The anticipated start date is August 1 2026.

We seek an engaging student-centered educator with the ability to teach a range of courses related to aquatic ecology at the level. The successful candidate will deliver established content in fisheries aquatic macroinvertebrates and general ecology using a combination of classroom lectures laboratory exercises and field-based learning. As this is a tenure-track teaching role the candidate will be expected to build departmental teaching capacity by developing new courses in ecology and related areas contributing to new undergraduate offerings (e.g. certificates or emphases) and engaging with advances in pedagogical theory and practice. Within the department there are also opportunities to develop innovative study-abroad or field-based experiences that enhance student learning and engagement.

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.

The expected teaching load will be 67 courses (18 academic credits) per year. This may include several large-format undergraduate ( level) courses that serve both majors and non-majors; one or two upper-level undergraduate/graduate courses in aquatic habitats; one upper-level undergraduate/graduate course in macroinvertebrate ecology and identification; and an upper-division course in ecological modeling or a related quantitative topic. Some courses may be delivered in short-course formats (e.g. 12 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 candidates expertise should complement existing strengths in the Quinney College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and the Department of Watershed Sciences. 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 watershed scientists at Utah State University. We seek applicants who will thrive in a collaborative interdisciplinary environment that includes physical life and social scientists.

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 departments 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.
• 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.

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
• Name and contact information for 3 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 applicationunder 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.**

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.

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 universitys 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 Utahs remarkable and varied landscapes which provide unparalleled opportunities for field-based research education and outreach.

Founded in 1888 Utah State University is Utahs 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 29800 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 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 womens volleyball three consecutive Mountain West tournament titles in womens soccer conference championships and a first-ever conference championship for gymnastics reflecting USUs 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 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.

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*updated 12/2025

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*updated 10/2025