Assistant Professor of Soil Microbiology

Assistant Professor of Soil Microbiology Requisition ID: 2026-10843 # of Openings: 1 Location: US-UT-Logan Category: Faculty Position Type: Benefited Full-Time Job Classification: Faculty College: Quinney College of Agric and Nat Res Department: Plants Soils and Climate Advertised Salary: Commensurate with experience, plus excellent benefits Overview The Department of Plants, Soils, and Climate (PSC) in the S.J. and Jessie E. Quinney College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (QANR) at Utah State University (USU) invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor of Soil Microbiology. We seek a dynamic, innovative, and collaborative scientist, teacher, and mentor whose work advances understanding of microorganisms in soils and related terrestrial systems. The successful candidate will establish an externally funded and nationally recognized research program in soil microbiology and contribute to undergraduate and graduate education in soil science. Relevant research areas may include soil microbial ecology; plant-microbe interactions; nutrient and carbon cycling; soil microbiomes; biological controls on soil health; microbial responses to drought, salinity, temperature, or other environmental stressors; biogeochemistry; and other emerging areas that connect microbial processes to soil, plant, climate, and land-management outcomes. The position is expected to integrate laboratory, field, and quantitative approaches; mentor undergraduate and graduate students; collaborate across disciplines; and strengthen connections among basic soil science, agricultural and natural resource systems, and applied questions important to Utah and the Intermountain West. Review of applications will begin January 5, 2027 and continue until the position is filled. Start date will be August 1, 2027. Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience, with excellent university benefits. For additional information, contact Janis Boettinger, at [email protected]. Responsibilities Research - 50% * Develop and sustain an innovative, externally funded research program in soil microbiology and related soil, plant, ecosystem, or land-management systems. * Use appropriate laboratory, field, molecular, analytical, statistical, computational, or modeling approaches to address fundamental and applied questions. * Publish research in peer-reviewed outlets and present findings at professional meetings and other scholarly venues. * Recruit and mentor graduate and undergraduate students and support their professional development and research success. * Collaborate with faculty and partners across PSC, QANR, the Utah Agricultural Experiment Station, USU Extension, the Ecology Center, and relevant state, federal, academic, and private-sector organizations. Teaching - 45% * Teach Soil Microbiology (upper-division undergraduate/graduate, 3 credits, alternate years). * Teach Soil Health and Fertility (upper-division undergraduate/graduate, 3 credits, annually). * Teach the Plants, Soils, and Climate Seminar course (upper-division graduate/undergraduate, 1 credit, each semester). * Develop and teach a new or pre-existing course in areas that complement... For full info follow application link. USU recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the university's academic mission of learning, discovery, and engagement. USU is an Equal Opportunity employer and does not discriminate in any of its programs and activities based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation or gender iden tity/expression, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy or local, state, or federal law (https://equity.usu.edu/non-discrimination).