Assistant Professor of Soil Microbiology

Overview

The Department of Plants, Soils, and Climate (PSC) in the S.J. & 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 janis.boettinger@usu.edu.

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 the candidate’s expertise, meets the full teaching load, strengthens soil science curricula, and according to departmental needs.
• Advise and mentor students and contribute to recruitment, retention, experiential learning, and student success.

Service – 5%

• Participate in appropriate department, college, university, and professional service.
• Contribute to collaborative academic programs, committees, student activities, and disciplinary societies.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Earned Ph.D. in soil science, microbiology, microbial ecology, ecology, biogeochemistry, or a closely related discipline by the time of appointment.
• Training and research expertise in soil microbiology or closely related microbial processes in terrestrial systems.
• Evidence of scholarly productivity and potential to develop an externally funded research program.
• Potential for effective teaching and mentoring at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
• Strong written, oral, interpersonal, and collaborative communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience integrating laboratory and field studies using advanced analytical, molecular, omics, imaging, quantitative, geospatial, or modeling approaches.
• Research that connects microbial processes with soil health, nutrient cycling, plant productivity, water relations, climate resilience, or land management.
• Evidence of successful teaching or instructional development in soil science, microbiology, ecology, or a related field.
• Experience mentoring students and building collaborative, interdisciplinary research teams.
• Demonstrated ability or strong potential to secure competitive extramural funding from public and/or private sources.

Required Documents

Along with the online application, please attach:

• Resume/Curriculum vitae to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Resume/CV”
• Three professional references with contact information to be typed at the beginning of the application

The following documents will be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Documents 1-10”

• Cover letter describing interest in and qualifications for the position.
• Research statement describing past accomplishments and a vision for an independent research program at USU (up to 3 pages).
• Teaching and mentoring statement describing experience, philosophy, and approaches to student success (up to 2 pages).

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

Advertised Salary

Commensurate with experience, plus excellent benefits

ADA

Employees typically work indoors and are protected from weather and/or contaminants, but not, necessarily, occasional temperature changes.

University Highlights

As Utah’s student-centered, land-grant research university, Utah State University expands opportunity and strengthens communities across the state through learning, discovery, extension, and engagement. Founded in 1888, USU now holds two Carnegie distinctions: R1 status for very high research activity and the Carnegie Community Engagement Classification. Its innovative research and scholarship is grounded in reciprocal partnerships with local, regional, and global communities, advancing knowledge and serving the public good across Utah, the nation, and the world. With over 50 world-class research facilities and the nation’s second-oldest undergraduate research program, USU prepares students to become active, civically engaged leaders who can address critical societal challenges.

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 in 16 sports, USU is a proud member of the Pac-12 Conference, which it joined July 1, 2026. The Aggies capped a historic final season in the Mountain West by capturing nine combined regular-season and tournament titles in 2025-26, with five teams advancing to postseason play. This tradition of excellence extends to the classroom, where 232 student-athletes earned academic honors, and to the community, where USU ranked second nationally in Division I service hours, with nine teams placing in the top 10 for community service.

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 it 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 hr@usu.edu.

*updated 10/26

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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.

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In all circumstances, Utah State University follows state and federal laws related to sex-segregated spaces.

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

Civil Rights & Title IX Office

Old Main Room 405

1475 Old Main Hill, Logan UT 84322

titleix@usu.edu

(435) 797-1266

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

U.S. Department of Education

Denver Regional Office

303-844-5695| OCR.Denver@ed.gov

U.S. Department of Education

Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights

800-421-3481 | OCR@ed.gov

*updated 08/2026