The Air Quality Scientist ((Researcher II, III, SR, or Lead) will conduct atmospheric research at Utah State University's Bingham Research Center, focusing on air quality in Utah's Uinta Basin. This work will include developing, maintaining, and applying 3-D photochemical air quality models. It will also involve field and laboratory work, including collecting samples, maintaining analytical equipment, and processing and analyzing data. The successful applicant will participate in writing reports and peer-reviewed publications, developing project plans (including grant writing), and engaging with local government and industry stakeholders to establish relationships, cooperate in project execution, and share research results. Funding for this position is available through an ongoing appropriation from the Utah legislature (50%), an agreement with local government (25%), and external grants and contracts (25%).

This position will be filled at either the Researcher II, III, SR, or Lead level. Salary will be commensurate with job level and experience, and compensation will also include USU’s generous benefits package. Salary grades and ranges are available at https://www.usu.edu/hr/compensation/job-descriptions and https://www.usu.edu/hr/compensation/salary-grade-table, respectively. Opportunities to teach and to become affiliated with an academic department (as research faculty) may arise but are not guaranteed. The Bingham Center is located at Utah State University's campus in Vernal, Utah. The successful applicant will live in the Uinta Basin and work at the USU campus in Vernal.

Applications will be reviewed starting May 1st, 2023 and will be considered until the position is filled. We encourage those from all backgrounds and communities to apply and are committed to having a team with diverse life experiences and abilities.

All applicants:

1. Research the sources, chemistry, and meteorology that lead to air quality problems in the Uinta Basin. This research will involve 3-D photochemical modeling and field and laboratory work. Examples of research projects undertaken at the Bingham Research Center are available at https://www.usu.edu/binghamresearch/papers-and-reports.
2. Write research reports and peer-reviewed papers
3. Present research results at scientific conferences, community meetings, and other events
4. Participate in grant writing
5. Work collaboratively with scientists and students at the Bingham Research Center
6. Participate in USU-Uintah Basin campus functions
7. Build relationships and regularly interact with regulators, elected officials, industry, environmental advocates, and the public

Applicants at the Researcher II level will:

1. Carry out research with regular guidance and instruction from a supervisor
2. Participate in writing reports and papers with regular guidance and instruction from a supervisor
3. Present research results at scientific conferences, community meetings, and other events
4. Participate in grant writing as assigned
5. Work collaboratively with scientists and students at the Bingham Research Center
6. Participate in USU-Uintah Basin campus functions
7. Build relationships and regularly interact with regulators, elected officials, industry, environmental advocates, and the public

Applicants at the Researcher III level will:

1. Carry out research as assigned, with guidance and instruction from a supervisor as needed
2. Participate in writing reports and papers, with guidance and instruction from a supervisor as needed
3. Present research results at scientific conferences, community meetings, and other events
4. Help with conception, planning, and writing of research grant proposals
5. Work collaboratively with scientists and students at the Bingham Research Center
6. Participate in USU-Uintah Basin campus functions
7. Build relationships and regularly interact with regulators, elected officials, industry, environmental advocates, and the public

Applicants at the Researcher SR level will:

1. Lead out in planning and execution of research projects with minimal supervision
2. Write reports and papers independently and regularly, with minimal supervision
3. Present research results at scientific conferences, community meetings, and other events
4. Conceive, plan, and write grant proposals independently and regularly, with minimal supervision
5. Work collaboratively with scientists and students at the Bingham Research Center
6. Participate in USU-Uintah Basin campus functions
7. Independently build relationships and regularly interact with regulators, elected officials, industry, environmental advocates, and the public.
8. Recruit and supervise students

Applicants at the Researcher Lead level will:

1. Lead out in planning and execution of research projects, with minimal supervision
2. Write reports and papers independently and regularly, with minimal supervision
3. Present research results at scientific conferences, community meetings, and other events
4. Conceive, plan, and write grant proposals independently and regularly, with minimal supervision
5. Work collaboratively with scientists and students at the Bingham Research Center
6. Participate in USU-Uintah Basin campus functions
7. Independently build relationships and regularly interact with regulators, elected officials, industry, environmental advocates, and the public.
8. Recruit and supervise students
9. Lead others in (1) through (8)

Minimum qualifications for applicants at the Researcher II level:

• Master's degree in chemistry, atmospheric science, environmental science, environmental engineering, or a related field, including experience with atmospheric research and 2 years of experience with atmospheric research after completion of degree; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience

Minimum qualifications for applicants at the Researcher III level:

• Master's degree in chemistry, atmospheric science, environmental science, environmental engineering, or a related field, and 4 years of experience with atmospheric research after completion of degree, OR; Doctoral degree in chemistry, atmospheric science, environmental science, environmental engineering, or a related field; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience

Minimum qualifications for applicants at the Researcher SR level:

• Master's degree in chemistry, atmospheric science, environmental science, environmental engineering, or a related field, and 6 years of experience with atmospheric research after completion of degree; OR Doctoral degree in chemistry, atmospheric science, environmental science, environmental engineering, or a related field, and 2 years of experience with atmospheric research after completion of degree; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Experience working with or supervising students or others
• Demonstrated ability to clearly explain scientific concepts to non-scientific audiences and engage successfully with diverse stakeholders, including those that may hold non-scientific views

Minimum qualifications for applicants at the Researcher Lead level:

• Doctoral degree in chemistry, atmospheric science, environmental science, environmental engineering, or a related field, and 6 years of experience with atmospheric research after completion of degree; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Experience as a supervisor
• Demonstrated ability to clearly explain scientific concepts to non-scientific audiences and engage successfully with diverse stakeholders, including those that may hold non-scientific views
• Experience carrying out a research program independently.
• Experience independently building relationships with stakeholders.
• Demonstrated record of successful procurement of external research funding

Additional minimum qualifications for all applicants:

• Demonstrated skill and experience in oral and written scientific communication commensurate with the job level of the applicant (i.e., a consistent track record of publications and presentations; consideration will be given to time spent out of the workforce for family responsibilities, military service, or disability)
• Understanding of atmospheric chemistry and air quality science
• Commitment to chemical and physical safety
• Commitment to research integrity
• Skill in relating to others and building relationships with coworkers and stakeholders
• Ability to carry out tasks efficiently and independently

Preferred Qualifications for all applicants:

• Experience with 3-D photochemical modeling
• Experience with Python and other programming languages
• Understanding of environmental and air quality regulations
• Willingness to perform manual labor in field and laboratory conditions (except in cases of disability. We encourage those with disabilities to apply and are committed to a diverse workforce, including making accommodations for those with disabilities.)

Along with the online application, please attach:

1. A curriculum vitae (under "Resume/CV").
2. A cover letter (under "Other Documents 1 – 10"). The cover letter should include the following:
   
   • Information about how the applicant's research and work experience will ensure the applicant’s success in the position
   • Information about the applicant's research interests as they relate to the position and the work currently being undertaken at the Bingham Research Center
   • A description of the applicant's experience with, desire for, and philosophy relating to engaging non-academic stakeholders with diverse views and motivations in scientific research
3. Contact information (name, institution, email, phone number) for three professional references. The references should be prepared to provide information about the applicant's research experience, skills, and ability to succeed in the workplace.

**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 USU Bingham Research Center focuses on environmental chemistry and the environmental impacts of energy development. The Center's research is internationally regarded and yet had a meaningful impact on our local community's health and economic outcomes. The Center receives more than $1 million in research funding annually from grantors at all levels of government and from private industry. The Center has an endowment for student researchers and has involved dozens of graduate and undergraduate students in its work.

The Bingham Center's research is respected and widely utilized by stakeholders of all political affiliations, by a wide range of local, state, federal, and tribal agencies, and by private industry and environmental advocates alike.

The USU Vernal campus is minutes from world-class mountain biking, fishing, river rafting, high mountain wilderness, slick rock, and more. Dinoland.com provides information about Vernal and the incredible Uinta Basin area.

Utah State University (USU) was founded in 1888 and is Utah’s land-grant and space-grant university. USU is one of only 146 research institutions in the U.S. classified as R1 “very high research activity” by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. As one of the two premier research institutions in Utah, USU provides a high-quality education at an affordable price. With its main campus in Logan, the university serves approximately 27,500 students, including 24,255 undergraduates and 3,171 graduate students. USU Online has served students from all 50 states and 55 countries for 25 years.

USU’s statewide system features three residential campuses, 30 total campus locations, and 23 Extension education centers. The university employs 903 full-time faculty members, 124 executive administrators, and 1,649 full-time support staff. USU offers 115 undergraduate majors, as well as 91 master’s and 42 doctoral degrees. Learn more about USU.

A core characteristic of USU is engagement with communities and people in economic development, improvements to quality of life, and human capital. Through the practical application of knowledge, the University and its faculty engage and share expertise with the state, nation, and world, preserving the historical land-grant tradition of partnering with communities to address critical societal issues in the interest of the public good.

The USU main campus is located in beautiful Logan, Utah, a city of about 50,000 situated in a picturesque mountain valley about 80 miles north of Salt Lake City. Outstanding recreational opportunities abound in the nearby mountains and proximate region.

USU is sensitive to the needs of dual career couples and provides a Dual Career Assistance program to support careers for partners who are also seeking employment.

USU endeavors to provide reasonable accommodations to ensure equal access in all aspects of employment to qualified persons with disabilities. To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability, please contact the university’s ADA Coordinator in the Human Resource office at 435-797-0122 or submit a request at hr@usu.edu.

USU Land Acknowledgment

Please visit our website to learn about Utah State’s land acknowledgment of the eight tribes of Utah.

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 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 USU’s non-discrimination policies:

Executive Director of the Office of Equity Matthew Pinner, discrimination@usu.edu, Distance Education Rm. 401, 435-797-1266

Title IX Coordinator Matthew Pinner, titleix@usu.edu, Distance Education Rm. 404, 435-797-1266

Mailing address: 5100 Old Main Hill, Logan, Ut 84322

For further information regarding non-discrimination, please visit https://equity.usu.edu/, or contact:

U.S. Department of Education, Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 800-421-3481, OCR@ed.gov

U.S. Department of Education, Denver Regional Office, 303-844-5695, OCR.Denver@ed.gov

*updated 11/2022