The S.J. and Jessie E. Quinney College of Natural Resources (QCNR) at Utah State University (USU) invites applications for the Janet Quinney Lawson Endowed Chair in Colorado River Studies.  The successful candidate will also serve as Director of the Center for Colorado River Studies and as faculty in a research, teaching and outreach role in one of the college’s three departments (Environment and Society, Watershed Sciences, and Wildland Resources). The tenure-track position is part of an institutional effort to expand capacity and outreach in issues critical to the Colorado River Basin. 
 
The faculty rank for the position is open. We welcome applications from scientists, scholars or policy-makers with a Ph.D. in any relevant biological, physical, or social science or engineering field, or with a J.D. degree, who possess a strong record of funded research or policy experience relevant to the Colorado River Basin. This tenure-track, full-time (nine-month) position will be administratively based at the USU main campus in Logan, Utah; however, we would consider applicants desiring a strong presence at any of USU’s Statewide Campuses, including Moab, Vernal, Blanding, Monument Valley, or Salt Lake City. The position starts August 2025.  
 
Review of applications begins December 10, 2024. 
 
For further information contact Dr. Christopher Lant, (chris.lant@usu.edu)
or Dr. James Lutz (james.lutz@usu.edu), Search Committee co-Chairs.

• Serve as Director of the Center for Colorado River Studies in Utah State’s Janet Quinney Lawson Institute for Land Water and Air.
• Establish a strong record in a faculty role in research or in policy-relevant outreach and foster a collaborative culture focused on applied science and management of the Colorado River and its tributaries.
• Seek extramural funding to support research, students, and outreach.
• Advise and mentor graduate students and teach 1-2 courses per year in one of QCNR’s three departments.
• Participate in faculty duties on campus as well as professional involvement off-campus.

Minimum Qualifications: 

• Earned Ph.D. or J.D. in any field of study applicable to science, engineering, policy or management in the Colorado River Basin.
• Demonstrated capacity to develop the Center for Colorado River Studies into an interdisciplinary Center focused on fostering the physical and social science needed to best manage the Colorado River and its basin.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working with local, state, tribal, or federal agencies or other organizations in the management of the Colorado River or its basin, and demonstrated interest in ongoing engagement with these interested groups.
• Demonstrated potential to build and maintain a productive interdisciplinary research program, including the ability to secure competitive external funding.
• A publication record consistent with career stage.
• Demonstrated excellence in written and oral communication skills.
• Demonstrated understanding of the legal and policy environment in which the Colorado River and its basin are managed.
• Experience in influencing policy in the realm of water resources and the environment.
• Demonstrated ability to contribute to a learning community with members from a range of backgrounds and experiences and to foster a sense of belonging for all participants and students.
• Experience teaching university-level courses relevant to large rivers.
• Experience organizing field experiences with students or interested groups.
• Experience in extramural fund-raising.

Along with the online application, please attach:

1. Resume to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Resume/CV” 
2. The names and contact information for 3 professional references to be entered into Candidate Profile. 

Please do not attach the following required documents in the candidate profile; you will be instructed to copy and paste later on in the application. 

1. Cover letter (maximum 2 pages)
2. Statement of research and outreach experience and interests (maximum 2 pages) 
3. Perspective statement on how you understand the issues of the Colorado River Basin and how Utah State University’s Center for Colorado River Studies could contribute to confronting these issues (maximum 2 pages)

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

The environment and physical requirements may change depending on the specific function of the work performed. Incumbents may be in both indoor and outdoor environments. 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. 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 Natural Resources is nationally and internationally recognized for its research, extension, and teaching on natural and socio-environmental ecosystems. It is a high-impact college at Utah State University with over $17M in research funding annually, 55 tenure-track faculty in three departments, and close partnerships with federal and state natural resource agencies. Work in QCNR traverses biological, physical, and social systems, with close collaboration among faculty and students across the three departments, to advance scientific knowledge, train future leaders, and translate research into on-the-ground management and policy.

Education, extension and outreach are a major focus for QCNR faculty and staff, and the College is home to pioneering entities including the Ecology Center which houses the Climate Adaptation Science program; the US Geological Survey’s Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, the Institute of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism; the National Aquatic Monitoring Center; the Utah Geospatial Consortium; the USU Dendrochro­nology Laboratory; the Berryman Institute; and the T.W. Daniel Experimental Forest. Faculty achieve excellence in research and graduate education through a diverse suite of funding, including from the National Science Foundation, US Department of the Interior, US Depart­ment of Agriculture, state agencies, and private entities. QCNR has close relationships with USU’s Janet Quinney Lawson Institute for Land, Water, and Air, which acts to connect USU research expertise on land, water, and air to decision-makers for the state of Utah.

QCNR has approximately 500 undergraduate and 200 graduate students currently enrolled in a wide variety of degree programs. With strong emphasis on student learning and engagement, the College has robust pro­grams in undergraduate research, internship opportunities, and opportunities for community-engaged learn­ing. QCNR has a reputation, not just for high-impact research and teaching, but for an exceptionally collab­orative and collegial community. We deeply believe in the work we do and take a leadership role in fostering a more sustainable world. We value inclusive excellence and principles of community in natural resource and environmental education, research, and extension & outreach. We are actively working to create a more inclusive college climate and to recruit and retain students, faculty, and staff who contribute to college goals of inclusive excellence.

Founded in 1888, Utah State University is Utah’s premier land-grant, public service university, with a strong commitment to excellence, access, and inclusion, empowering people to lead successful lives of involvement, innovation, and impact. Utah State provides high-quality education to 27,500-plus students locations throughout the state, including at three residential campuses, eight statewide campuses, and 23 education centers. USU Online educates students from all 50 states and 55 countries. For over 25 years, USU Extension has served and engaged Utahns in all of Utah’s counties. As an R1 research institution, Utah State is dedicated to advancing knowledge through research and scholarly activities, providing a high-quality undergraduate and graduate education at an affordable price.

Utah State is committed to cultivating a community of inclusive excellence where all perspectives, values, cultures, and identities are acknowledged, welcomed, and valued. 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 reasonable accommodations 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 hr@usu.edu. 

About the Region

U.S. News and World Report ranked Utah first for its strong economy, fiscal stability, education, and health care. Outstanding outdoor recreational opportunities abound throughout the state, including five national parks, 43 state parks and recreation areas, and 15 alpine ski resorts. The home of USU’s main campus, Logan, is a city of 54,000-plus people in a picturesque mountain valley 80 miles north of Salt Lake City. The Logan metro area claimed the top spot in the Milken Institute’s 2022 ranking for best-performing small cities in the nation. 

*updated 04/2024

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 Cody Carmichael, 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

*updated 09/2023