Assistant Professor - Natural Resource Policy and Governance at Colorado State University Forest and Rangeland Stewardship

Applications due on our website by 12/15/2025

The Department of Forest and Rangeland Stewardship at Colorado State University is seeking applications and nominations for a nine-month, tenure-track faculty position at the rank of Assistant Professor specializing in Natural Resource Policy and Governance. Applications from those interested in investigating, teaching, and contributing to the innovation of policy and governance dimensions concerning the conservation, restoration, sustainable use, and stewardship of forest and rangeland social-ecological systems are especially encouraged to apply. We seek scholars who will develop an internationally recognized, innovative, independent, and extramurally funded research program involving graduate and undergraduate students with interest and expertise in one or more of the following policy and governance arenas: climate adaptation, risk management, and sustainability of forest and rangeland social-ecological systems; restoration of disturbed forest and/or rangeland ecosystems; wildland fire policy and governance; tribal policy and governance; or water resources relating to forest and rangeland social-ecological systems.

In addition, the successful candidate will be expected to exhibit leadership in, and passion for, teaching and contributing to undergraduate and graduate programs in the Forest and Rangeland Stewardship Department. These include two undergraduate natural resource policy courses and at least one graduate-level course, and integrating policy and governance topics within curricula across degree programs. Applicants should clearly demonstrate a commitment to Colorado State University’s Principles of Community (https://inclusiveexcellence.colostate.edu/about/principles-of-community).

Responsibilities

Job Duty Category

• Research Duty/Responsibility
• The incumbent is expected to develop and sustain an extramurally funded and innovative research program focused on innovative approaches to examining policy and governance dimensions concerning the conservation, use, restoration, and stewardship of natural resources, with emphasis in forest and rangeland social-ecological systems.
• Percentage Of Time 35-55%

Job Duty Category

• TeachingDuty/Responsibility
• The incumbent is expected to instruct two undergraduate courses in natural resource policy, and a graduate course in the department on a topic related to their field of study and aligned with the department’s existing graduate degree curricula.
• Percentage Of Time 35-55%

Job Duty Category

• Service and Outreach Duty/Responsibility
• The incumbent is expected to serve on department, college, and university committees, contribute to their respective academic professions, and engage in outreach activities with audiences outside the university who would benefit from the incumbent’s expertise.
• Percentage Of Time 5-15%

Qualifications

Required Job Qualifications

• Ph.D. in natural resource policy and governance, or a closely-related field
• Demonstrated expertise in forest and/or rangeland social-ecological systems
• The successful candidate must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. by proposed start date; the department will not provide visa sponsorship for this position.

Preferred Job Qualifications

• Demonstrated potential to develop an externally funded research program that advances knowledge, development, and innovation of policy and governance pertaining to forest and/or rangeland social-ecological systems.
• Demonstrated potential to sustain an excellent publication record.
• Demonstrated commitment to effective teaching and mentoring of undergraduate and graduate students.
• Demonstrated potential to successfully engage in collaborative interactions with and outreach to natural resource policy-makers, managers, landowners, rights holders, and the general public.
• Demonstrated commitment to Colorado State University’s Principles of Community.