Postdoctoral Fellow II - Remote Sensing & GeoAI in Natural Resources and the Environment

The Department of Environment and Society (ENVS) at Utah State University (USU) invites applications for one to two postdoctoral fellow positions supporting existing programs in Geographic Information Science, Remote Sensing, and Geospatial Artificial Intelligence (GeoAI). The position(s) will have both teaching and research responsibilities, with teaching as the majority of the role. Fellows will have a designated faculty mentor.

These full-time, twelve-month positions are based at the USU main campus in Logan, Utah. A remote start prior to relocating may be negotiable. Position length may be negotiable up to two years. Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience, with excellent benefits. Positions have a start date as early as January 1, 2027 and no later than August 16, 2027. Application review begins 16 November 2026. The application window will remain open, with applications reviewed on an ongoing basis, until positions are filled.

Non-US citizens are welcome to apply, and J-1 visa sponsorship may be possible. USU will not sponsor H-1B visas for this position.

For further information, contact search committee chair and department head Claudia Radel at claudia.radel@usu.edu.

• Course Instruction: Teach up to 18 credits. Courses will focus on GIS, remote sensing, and geospatial AI at both undergraduate and graduate levels and may be delivered via online, in-person, or in a blended format, with greater weight towards online deliveries. Fellows will step into established courses and supervise a remote sensing and GeoAI capstone course focused on applied, project-based learning in natural resource and environmental applications. Course areas may include intro and advanced GeoAI, applied remote sensing, geospatial programming in Python and R, ethics related to geospatial data, Google Earth Engine, geovisualization techniques, and database management.
• Curriculum Development: Update course material as needed to maintain relevancy of curriculum by keeping pace with industry advancements in GIS, remote sensing and geospatial AI.
  Student Mentoring: Provide academic and research mentorship to a diverse set of students pursuing interests in geospatial fields. Foster a supportive and inclusive learning environment that promotes student success.
• Research: Carry out research-related activities. Contribute to research projects as appropriate across diverse potential units at USU including the Department of Environment & Society, the Department of Wildland Resources, the Ecology Center, and the Utah Water Research Laboratory, among others. Fellows also will have the opportunity to complete, publish, or otherwise advance research from their doctoral work in preparation for future academic or professional positions.

Minimum Qualifications:

• PhD advanced candidacy status by time-of-hire in geography or related quantitative field, with a focus on geospatial science in a human-environment or natural resources context.
• Demonstrated expertise in GIS, remote sensing, and geospatial artificial intelligence.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior teaching experience, with an emphasis on delivering innovative courses in geospatial science of human-environment interactions.
• Prior experience with online course delivery.
• A demonstrated ability to effectively collaborate in an interdisciplinary academic setting.

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. Cover letter, including information on both teaching and research interests (2-page maximum) to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Documents 1-10”
3. Statement of teaching experience and philosophy (2-page maximum) to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Documents 1-10”
4. Three professional references with contact information to be typed at the beginning of the application

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

commensurate with education and experience, with excellent benefits

Employees work indoors and are protected from weather and/or contaminants, but not, necessarily, occasional temperature changes. The employee is regularly required to sit and often uses repetitive hand motions.

The Department of Environment and Society applies social, environmental, and interdisciplinary sciences to understand human-environment interactions at a range of scales. Our faculty address complex environmental and societal challenges through innovative research and extension, generating practical insights for managers, policymakers, and practitioners. We provide graduate and undergraduate education in environmental, social and interdisciplinary sciences, recreation resource management, and geography. Together, we value holistic practices and community engagement for a more sustainable tomorrow.

The S.J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Agriculture & Natural Resources (QANR) at USU is known for its research, traditions, and community engagement, with recent highlights including new leadership, special events, and innovative projects. QANR offers 12 departments covering agriculture, food, environment, technology, design, and more, plus associate degrees and technical certificates at statewide campuses.

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

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.

Utah State University does not discriminate in its housing offerings and will treat all persons fairly and equally without regard to race, color, religion, sex, familial status, disability, national origin, source of income, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Additionally, the University endeavors to provide reasonable accommodations when necessary and to ensure equal access to qualified persons with disabilities.

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