AssistantAssociate Professor Water Resources Engineering Faculty and Extension Specialist

The Utah Water Research Laboratory (UWRL) and Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) at Utah State University (USU) seek applicants for an academic year nine-month tenure track research and extension faculty position in water resources engineering at the assistant/associate professor level. The successful candidate will be expected to establish a research and extension program related to large river basin management in Utah with particular focus on the Colorado River aligned with Utah State Universitys land grant mission.

Water management in Utah has become more challenging as drought continues to adversely impact the Western U.S. It is critical to find novel ways to adapt to the ever-increasing limitations of water supply in the face of increasing demands. The current state of the Colorado River basin highlights the complexity of the policy economic social and engineering challenges that must be considered and overcome when establishing possible solutions. USU is seeking an individual to provide leadership and support for applied research and extension outreach that will collaboratively work to solve Utahs water management needs in the context of the Colorado River and other complex river basins. The successful candidate must have demonstrated knowledge and expertise in water management within the Colorado River basin along with a vision for how that experience can be extended and/or applied within other large river basins within Utah the western U.S. nationally and abroad.

The UWRL and USU Extension provide many collaborative opportunities across disciplines to address the social economic and policy aspects of water resources problems. Additionally they provide immediate connections to the statewide Cooperative Extension system.
Review of applications will begin July 15 2026 but applications will be accepted and fully considered after that date until the position is filled. The anticipated start date is September 1 2026.

Further inquiries should be made to:

Dr. Jeff Horsburgh
Search Committee Chair
Email:

This position will be a nine-month tenure track appointment with a role assignment of 50% research 40% extension and 10% service.

50% Research: The successful candiate will establish a nationally recognized applied research program focused on water resources engineering and large river basin management options that are economically viable and environmentally and socially responsible with particular focus on the Colorado River. This includes:

1. Securing extramural funding adequate to support a nationally recognized research program.
2. Publishing research results in peer reviewed journals
3. Developing leading and participating in collaborative research and extension teams with a wide range of scientists and professionals at USU other universities and with federal regional and state agencies.
4. Mentoring undergraduate and graduate students to the successful completion of their degree programs.

40% Extension: The successful candidate will establish a high-quality extension program that engages stakeholders and provides practical data-driven solutions to critical issues facing Utah and the surrounding region. Preferred areas of focus include surface water management in river basins. This may include:

1. Developing need assessments and evaluations of prioritiy extension opportunies in the areas of water resources engineering and large watershed management.
2. Establishing working relationships with Colorado River Basin stakeholders.
3. Developing collaborative extension programming that includes publication of white papers fact sheets bulletins videos data products and other related extension materials that inform Colorado River management options to meet the needs of water managers in Utah and throughout the western U.S.
4. Securing extramural funding for extension programming.

10% Service: The successful candidate will participate in department university and professional service and outreach along with service to the broader community through professional societies committee memberships reviews and other leadership activities.

Required Qualifications:

• An earned Ph.D. in Civil and/or Environmental Engineering water resources engineering watershed science hydrologic sciences or related field by the time of hire.
• Established record of research experience appropriate for the candidates rank.
• Demonstrated ability to publish in academic journals.
• Working knowledge experience and training in water resources management and associated modeling tools.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Colorado River Basin science western U.S. water resources management and policy issues.
• Demonstrated ability to cooperate with diverse stakeholder groups and experience working with key stakeholders throughout the Colorado River Basin.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate and collaborate with diverse research and extension audiences.
• Capability to develop an externally funded research program that complements extension efforts.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Research experience that demonstrates leadership in water resources engineering and large river basin management and modeling.
• Demonstrated ability to secure extramural research funding.
• Demonstrated potential for effective collaboration with the UWRL CEE and USU Extension faculty and staff.

Along with the online application please include:

1. Curriculum Vitae to be uploaded as a PDF document at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under Resume/CV

The documents listed below to be uploaded as PDF documents at the beginning of your application in the Candidate profile under Documents 1-10:

1. Cover Letter.
2. A concise research statement of up to 2 pages that describes research accomplishments current work and potential future research directions.
3. A concise extension statement of up to 2 pages describing potential goals approaches programs and applications along with description of how the candidate would reach audiences critical for successful extension in the Colorado River Basin.
4. Names and contact information for three professional references.

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

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

Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) and Utah Water Research Laboratory (UWRL) faculty in collaboration with colleagues across USUs campus conduct cutting edge water research that contributes to addressing growing societal water challenges and advances basic understanding and its application in the water sciences. For more 60 years the UWRL has conducted practical research in the State of Utah the nation and the world directed at solving water-related challenges informing water policy and management and training the next generation of water experts. As the oldest and one of the largest university-based water research facilities in the United States we strive to generate the knowledge needed to solve pressing water problems now and in the future.

For additional information about the CEE department or the UWRL please consult:

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.

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