Plant & Wildlife Sciences – CFS Professional Faculty – Environmental Analytical Laboratory Director

​Job Title: Plant & Wildlife Sciences – CFS Professional Faculty – Environmental Analytical Laboratory Director

Posting End Date: October 15, 2026 

Required Degree:  A doctoral degree in a field related to environmental science is preferred, although applicants with an M.S. degree and experience as an environmental professional will be considered. The required degree must be completed by the start date.

Experience: 

• Teaching and mentoring 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.
• Laboratory and managerial experience: Experience in a laboratory setting is required and lab management experience is preferred. 

Duties/Expectations: 

• Teaching: The successful candidate will teach 4-5 regular classroom or laboratory courses (12-15 credit hours)  per year in the ESS program, plus mentoring courses (approximately 50%). The teaching assignment will include an undergraduate environmental skills and certifications course designed to support students seeking professional environmental science jobs. Other assigned courses will depend on expertise and need but could include environmental science courses connected to the function of the EAL such as Soil Science with associated lab, Watershed Ecology, Environmental Policies and Laws, Quantitative Environmental Chemistry, or other courses focused on water, plant science, and/or environmental chemistry. 
• Managerial: Director of the BYU Environmental Analytical Lab (approximately 45%). The EAL is a core research facility of the College of Life Sciences under the direction of the Plant and Wildlife Sciences Department (PWS). The EAL performs chemical and physical testing of environmental samples (water, soils, sediments, plant or other organic tissues) for a diverse set of customers from inside and outside of BYU. The EAL is focused on student mentoring in a client-facing lab setting. Essential functions as the EAL director include:
• Mentoring undergraduate students in the EAL, leading to tangible mentoring products such as student-led presentations at scientific meetings, abstracts, or papers.
• Service on graduate committees in association with students who use the EAL to process samples related to their graduate research.
• Develop and maintain standard operating procedures and quality control systems that ensure analyses are conducted efficiently and according to established scientific standards. Perform routine maintenance and safety checks on laboratory equipment and protocols.
• Responsible for researching, evaluating, recommending, purchasing, and installing laboratory instrumentation and overseeing its operation, maintenance and repair.
• Develop and administer laboratory budgets, with responsibility for balancing laboratory income with costs including wages, supplies, and equipment needs. Identify and pursue income and funding to support the mentoring goals of the lab.
• Citizenship:  Faculty are expected to participate actively in departmental, college, and university governance and engage in the intellectual and community life of the university (approximately 5%).

BELONGING STATEMENT

United by our common primary identity as children of God, BYU values equal opportunity. We also value and embrace the variety of individual characteristics, life experiences and circumstances, perspectives, talents, and gifts of each member of the BYU community and the richness and strength they bring in helping create and support an environment of covenant belonging centered in Jesus Christ. Candidates with experience in and commitment to mentoring students from a variety of backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

This position requires the successful candidate to relocate and/or reside in Utah for the duration of their employment.

MISSION ALIGNMENT STATEMENT INSTRUCTIONS

If you are a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints:

BYU is committed to hiring faculty members who enthusiastically embrace