Research Manager

The Utah Forest Restoration Institute (UFRI) housed in the Department of Wildland Resources at Utah State University seeks a full-time Research Manager (Researcher Senior) to lead and expand a diverse portfolio of applied research and monitoring projects. These efforts support UFRIs mission to inform the management of healthy fire-resilient and climate-adapted forests and woodlands in the state and region.

This position conducts and manages research of local and regional significance and oversees multiple concurrent projects spanning forest and fire ecology forest disturbances fuels management and post-treatment and post-fire monitoring.

Applicants should have extensive expertise and practical experience in forest and fire ecology management and monitoring. A demonstrated ability to compile analyze communicate and disseminate field-based research is strongly desired. Successful candidates will also benefit from extensive on-the-ground experience in one or more of Utahs dominant forest types (e.g. dry conifer and mixed conifer forests pinyon-juniper woodlands and aspen).

For More Information
Potential applicants with specific questions are welcome to contact the UFRI Director and chair of the search committee Larissa Yocom ().

• Collaboratively develop and manage a portfolio of pre- and post-treatment and post-fire research and monitoring projects in the state of Utah
• Maintain communication with UFRI leadership and external partners to identify needs and opportunities for UFRI engagement
• Collaborate with UFRI leadership and internal partners on research and proposal development for external funding
• Lead experimental design and development of field monitoring and analytical protocols
• Oversee collection quality assurance/quality control analysis and archiving of ecological and social science datasets
• Collaborate in the preparation and dissemination of research findings to a wide range of partners collaborators and consumers through peer-reviewed journal articles; technical reports syntheses and white papers; data summaries; and applied communication products (fact sheets explainers slide presentations infographics etc.)
• Supervise and mentor a cadre of research associates implementing research and monitoring activities including field and laboratory research spatial analysis decision support and technical writing
• Manage project timelines deliverables and budgets to ensure successful completion of work
• Represent UFRI through presentations outreach and partner engagement
• Ensure compliance with university state and federal rules and regulations and maintain required records
• Perform other job-related duties as needed

Minimum Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in forest ecology forest science or closely related field
• At least two years of professional experience in academic government or other applied research settings
• Expertise in forest and fire ecology and management in Interior West conifer forests

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in the coproduction of forest and fire science
• Experience supervising staff or leading project teams
• Experience disseminating research to land managers and the public through presentations written materials and outreach activities
• Experience integrating research across stand local and regional scales
• A career-stage appropriate portfolio of publications (not including MDPI or Frontiers journals) that demonstrate the ability to work on a diversity of questions

Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

• Expertise in forest and fire ecology fuels and vegetation management
  
  • Fuel characteristics and fire behavior
  • Vegetation treatments for fuel/hazard reduction
  • Forest regeneration and restoration
• Knowledge of monitoring methods for fuel loads treatment effectiveness and longevity and post-fire assessment
• Experience in designing and implementing ecological research across a multitude of scales
• Ability to maintain records and keep detailed reports
• Proficiency in data analysis and management (e.g. R Python GIS)
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for diverse audiences
• Ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines
• Ability to lead teams and collaborate across organizations
• Strong organizational and record-keeping skills

Along with the online application please attach:

1. Resume/CV to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under Resume/CV
2. Name and contact information for 3 professional references to be entered into Candidate Profile
3. Cover letter to be typed/pasted at the end of your application

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

The environment and physical requirements may change depending on the specific function of the work performed. Incumbents will mostly be in indoor environments such as an office space event space or public space where they 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). Responsibilities may also include occasional work outdoors where 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 50 pounds and be required to walk and/or stand for long periods of time.

The S.J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Agriculture and Natural Resourcesis 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 studentsbenefitfrom Utahs remarkable and varied landscapes whichprovideunparalleled 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.

The university provides aDual Career Assistance Programto support careers for partners who are also seeking is committed to providing access and a reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities. To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability contact the universitys ADA Coordinator in the Office of Human Resources at or.

*updated 12/2025

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 individuals have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the application of Title IX and its implementing regulations and/or USUs non-discrimination policies:

For further information regarding non-discrimination please visit or contact:

U.S. Department of Education

Denver Regional Office

U.S. Department of Education

Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights

*updated 10/2025