Assistant Professor in Wildlife Ecology & Management

Overview

The Department of Wildland Resources at Utah State University seeks applicants for a full-time, nine-month tenure track faculty position as an Assistant Professor in Wildlife Ecology and Management. We are seeking a scholar dedicated to educating undergraduate students in wildlife science and related natural resource fields. The position will be 90% teaching and 10% service, and will be located at Utah State University’s Uintah Basin Regional Campus located in Vernal, Utah. The anticipated (negotiable) start date is August 1, 2026.

 

The incumbent will be a member of USU’s Department of Wildland Resources (WILD), which is part of the S.J. and Jessie E. Quinney College of Agriculture & Natural Resources. WILD is home to the Berryman Institute, which is dedicated to improving human-wildlife interactions, and is the administrative home of the Utah USGS Cooperative Fish & Wildlife Research Unit. The department collaborates closely with the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, the USDA-APHIS National Wildlife Research Center’s Utah Station, USU’s Ecology Center, and other agencies and organizations.

 

Applications received by the initial screening date of February 3, 2026 will receive priority consideration; the position will remain open until filled.

 

Potential applicants with specific questions are welcome to contact the search committee chair, Sunshine Brosi at [email protected].

Responsibilities

The incumbent will teach a variety of wildlife science courses. Courses taught are expected to be mostly at the undergraduate level, but graduate courses may occasionally be needed. Courses may be taught face-to-face, online, broadcast, or in a hybrid format. Courses will primarily serve students living and working in the Uintah Basin campus, but some courses will also serve students at USU’s main campus in Logan. The candidate will coordinate course offerings with faculty at the USU Eastern campus in Price, Utah, where our Wildlife Ecology & Management degree is also offered. If desired, it may be possible to teach classes in the summer for additional compensation.

 

The successful candidate will serve as the department's representative at the Uintah Basin Regional Campus, teaching, coordinating, and advocating for our Wildlife Ecology & Management major and Wildlife Science minor, while also contributing to our other programs as needed. This individual will mentor and advise undergraduate students from diverse backgrounds. They will interact with administrators, faculty, staff, and others at their home campus in Vernal, with our faculty member at USU Eastern in Price, and at the main campus in Logan to continue our established and successful program by coordinating the provision of courses needed by local students and coordinating the financial, scholarship, and other resources available for the wildlife program and other programs in the Uintah Basin. They will maintain and cultivate existing contacts with local offices of land management agencies such as the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, the Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Forest Service, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs, for enrichment activities like field trips for students, for possible internships while the students are in school, and eventually for career positions for graduates.

 

Although research is not officially part of this position, some research opportunities exist, particularly by working with the local land management agencies and during the summer. If desired, and if funding is available, the candidate may advise a graduate student. The candidate may serve on graduate student committees.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Ph.D. in a wildlife-related field; individuals will be considered to have met this requirement if they have successfully defended their dissertation, with just editorial work remaining.
• Evidence of successful college or university teaching experience.
• Demonstrated ability to articulate natural resource science within and outside the classroom to broad audiences.

Preferred Qualifications

• Have prepared and taught entire courses on their own.
• Possess teaching experience using more than one delivery method.
• Demonstrate the ability to work productively with land management agencies and various stakeholder groups.
• Have postdoctoral experience, especially with teaching experience included.

Required Documents

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. Teaching statement that covers teaching experience and philosophy (3-page maximum) to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Documents 1-10” 

3. Name and contact information for 3 professional references to be entered into Candidate Profile

4. Cover letter to be typed/pasted at the end of your application 

 

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

Advertised Salary

Commensurate with experience, plus excellent benefits

ADA

The environment and physical requirements may change depending on the specific function of the work each performed. Incumbents may be in both indoor and outdoor environments. Environment will typically be 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. 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 20 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 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 university’s 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 Utah’s remarkable and varied landscapes, which provide unparalleled opportunities for field-based research, education, and outreach. 

University Highlights

Founded in 1888, Utah State University is Utah’s 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 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, 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 women’s volleyball, three consecutive Mountain West tournament titles in women’s soccer conference championships, and a first-ever conference championship for gymnastics, reflecting USU's 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 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 they 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 12/2025

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

 

Matthew Pinner

Executive Director

Civil Rights & Title IX Office

[email protected]

435-797-1266 | Old Main Rm. 401D

1475 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322

 

Cody Carmichael

Title IX Coordinator

[email protected]

435-797-1266 | Old Main Rm. 402D

1475 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322

 

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 10/2025