Job Description

Job Title: Plant and Wildlife Sciences CFS Professorial Faculty (Environmental Science and Sustainability)

Posting End Date: September 15, 2025 at 12:00 AM (MST) 

Position Start Date: January 1, 2026

Link: 

Job Summary: The College of Life Sciences at Brigham Young University (BYU) seeks to fill a full-time, continuing faculty status position with expertise within the broadly defined areas of environmental science and sustainability, beginning in Winter or Fall Semester of 2026. Specific areas of expertise could include, but are not limited to 1) aquatic ecosystem or catchment science,  2) biogeochemistry, 3) quantitative ecology, 4) environmental pollution/toxicology, 5) environmental policy.  Questions about the position can be addressed to the search committee chair, Dr. Neil Hansen (neil_hansen@byu.edu).

The BYU Environmental Science and Sustainability program ( ess.byu.edu ) is administered within the Department of Plant and Wildlife Sciences (pws.byu.edu) and the College of Life Science (lifesciences.byu.edu) and has broad opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration on sustainability efforts with other colleges and departments. The ESS program includes about 120 undergraduate majors, 30 minors, and 15 graduate students. Faculty and students work and learn in a supportive environment, motivated by love for God and His children. At BYU, helping students to develop their full divine potential is central to both our teaching and our scholarship. The successful applicant will have access to excellent laboratory, computing, and classroom facilities to support these efforts.

Required Degree: Doctoral degree in a field relevant to environmental science and sustainability. The required degree must be completed by the start date.

Experience:

• Teaching experience: Teaching experience relevant to the position and the applicant’s career status will be evaluated. The applicant should document their teaching interests, experience, vision, and how these could strengthen the BYU ESS program.

• Research, mentoring, and leadership experience: The application should show that the candidate is prepared to lead a research program that prioritizes mentoring graduate and undergraduate students. The applicant’s record of publishing in quality, peer-reviewed scientific journals will be evaluated relative to their career status. A vision for how to obtain research funding and lead a student-focused research program is required.

• Support of the Mission and the Aims of a BYU Education: The application should show that the candidate's commitment to the university’s Church Educational System Honor Code. This includes integrity, collegiality, civility, respect, and concern for others. The application should also demonstrate excellent communication skills. 

Duties/Expectations:

• Teaching: The successful candidate will teach 3-4 regular classroom or laboratory courses (9-12 credit hours) per year, plus mentoring courses in each semester. The specific teaching assignment will match ESS program needs with candidate interest and experience. Potential courses could include a graduate class and one or more of the following undergraduate courses: Environmental Biology, Watershed Ecology, Biogeochemistry, Environmental Microbiology, or Environmental Policy and Law.

• Scholarship:  The successful candidate will lead an externally funded research program that prioritizes mentoring undergraduate and graduate students. A successful research program leads annually to quality peer-reviewed publications and presentations at professional or stakeholder meetings by the faculty and students in the program.

• Citizenship:  The successful candidate will help shape and evaluate the ESS program and it’s role within broader university sustainability efforts.  Faculty are expected to participate actively in departmental, college, and university governance and engage in the intellectual and community life of the university.

Documents Required at the Time of Application: Please attach the following application materials to the faculty application:

• Cover letter stating the applicant’s area(s) of expertise, qualifications, and reason for applying

• Current curriculum vitae

• Contact information for at least three references

• Statement on the applicant’s teaching philosophy (1-page)

• Statement on the applicant’s research interests and goals, including how you plan to prioritize mentoring of undergraduate and graduate students (up to 2-pages)

• BYU Mission Alignment Statement

Note: Failure to attach the required documents may result in your application not being considered.

Mission Alignment Statement: BYU is committed to hiring faculty members who enthusiastically embrace and energetically advance its unique mission. To this end, please include a one-page mission alignment statement as part of your application that addresses how you might, as a BYU faculty member: (1) live a life of loyalty to Jesus Christ and His restored Church and align yourself with doctrines and teachings declared by living prophets, seers, and revelators; (2) demonstrate intentionality in building faith in Jesus Christ and testimony of His restored gospel among students and others in the BYU community; and (3) teach your subject matter with the Spirit of God and strive to keep it bathed in the light and color of the restored gospel (Spencer W. Kimball). 

Applicants who are not members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints include a one-page mission alignment statement that describes their understanding of and commitment to the Mission of Brigham Young University and the AIMS of a BYU Education ().

Brigham Young University is an equal opportunity employer.  All faculty are required to abide by the university’s Honor Code and Dress & Grooming Standards. Preference is given to qualified candidates who are members in good standing of the affiliated church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Successful candidates are expected to support and contribute to the academic and religious missions of the university within the context of the principles and doctrine of the affiliated church. 

The Department of Plant and Wildlife Sciences affirms that all human beings are children of God. We value the richness and strength that a variety of individual characteristics, life experiences and circumstances, perspectives, talents, and gifts bring to our community. We therefore encourage individuals from diverse backgrounds and those who are committed to mentoring students from diverse backgrounds to apply.

Mission Alignment Statement

BYU is committed to hiring faculty members who enthusiastically embrace and energetically advance its unique mission. To this end, please include a one-page mission alignment statement as part of your application that addresses how you might, as a BYU faculty member: (1) live a life of loyalty to Jesus Christ and His restored Church and align yourself with doctrine and teachings declared by living prophets, seers, and revelators; (2) demonstrate intentionality in building faith in Jesus Christ and testimony of His restored gospel among students and others in the BYU community; and (3) teach your subject matter with the Spirit of God and strive to keep it “bathed in the light and color of the restored gospel” (Spencer W. Kimball). 

Applicants who are not members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints include a one-page mission alignment statement that describes understanding of and commitment to the Mission of Brigham Young University and the AIMS of a BYU Education .

Employment Requirements

All new employees who are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will be required to hold and be worthy to hold a current temple recommend.

All faculty are required to abide by the university’s Honor Code and Dress & Grooming Standards. Preference is given to qualified candidates who are members in good standing of the affiliated church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Successful candidates are expected to support and contribute to the academic and religious missions of the university within the context of the principles and doctrine of the affiliated church.

Equal Opportunity

Brigham Young University is an equal opportunity employer, including disability and protected veteran status.

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