Ohio State University

Assistant Professor Environmental and Natural Resources Policy and Governance

Columbus Campus Full time

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Job Title:

Assistant Professor Environmental and Natural Resources Policy and Governance

Department:

FAES | School of Environment and Natural Resources

Assistant Professor Environmental and Natural Resources Policy and Governance

The Ohio State University School of Environment and Natural Resources

College of Food, Agricultural and Environment Science

Position Overview

* Distribution of Effort: 40% Research/60% Teaching

* Position Track Tenure

Position Location

Columbus, Ohio

Position Description

Selected individual will have expertise in quantitative methods and computational tools whose research focuses on the policy or governance dimensions of climate change mitigation and/or adaptation. Scholars interested in social-ecological systems’ resilience to climate change will also be considered. This is a full-time, 9-month position.

The new faculty member will play a central role in the Environmental Policy and Decision Making (EPDM) major, contributing core instruction in environmental policy analysis, governance processes, and/or regulatory decision-making. The EPDM major is a cornerstone of SENR’s academic offerings, equipping students to navigate and shape complex environmental governance systems. The new hire will be expected to teach three courses per academic year, including one or more of the following courses: ENR 3200 Environmental and Natural Resources Policy, ENR 4350 Climate Policy, and ENR 5451 Water Policy and Governance. In consultation with the faculty, the new hire will also develop a new course in line with the professional development needs of students in our EPDM undergraduate major and/or Environmental Social Science Specialization in our graduate program. The ability to teach methods courses at the graduate level is highly desirable.

The successful candidate is also expected to provide graduate advising and instruction in our M.S. and PhD. programs, and provide professional and university service.

Performance Objectives

* Teach three courses per year.

* Develop and/or expand an independent research program in environmental and natural resources policy including presenting research results at national and international meetings, securing extramural funding, and producing impactful publications.

* Advise graduate and undergraduate students.

* Conduct research in interdisciplinary teams.

* Develop a robust research program that attracts extra-mural funding * Work collaboratively with university faculty and staff to advance the land grant mission of the college and university.

* Serve the School of Environment and Natural Resources, university, and professional communities through committee work and other appropriate responsibilities and activities.

Education and Experience Requirements

Required:

  • Earned Ph.D. in Public Affairs, Political Science, Natural Resources, Public Administration, or a related field by August of 2026.
  • Evidence of potential for excellence in research and teaching.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills and a willingness and ability to work closely with diverse groups of academic (e.g., students, staff, faculty) and practitioner audiences.
  • Demonstrated interest in and/or experience with teaching, recruiting, mentoring, and advising a diverse body of students.

How to Apply

To be considered, please submit your application electronically via Workday. https://hr.osu.edu/careers/  Requisition # R140366

Application materials must include:

* Cover letter - Describe your qualifications, areas of expertise, career goals, and alignment with required qualifications

* Curriculum Vita (CV)

* Statement of Research (two-page limit)

* Statement of Teaching and Mentoring (two-page limit)

* Names and contact information for three references

Initial consideration will be given to applications received by January 10, 2026. Review of applications will continue until the position has been filled. We welcome informal inquiries, which can be made by contacting Search Committee Chair Dr. Ramiro Berardo_ at Berardo.3@osu.edu

Ohio State provides access to a depth and breadth of opportunities and resources. Starting your first day, Ohio State offers you a comprehensive benefits package.

Department/School Information

The School of Environment and Natural Resources is a multidisciplinary school creating science-based knowledge and fostering environmental sustainability through teaching, research and outreach. By integrating the natural and social sciences, we promote discovery and leadership through a comprehensive approach to better understand and address environmental and natural resource challenges locally, regionally and globally.

The College

The College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) anchors its mission in a simple, yet powerful phrase: We Sustain Life. Faculty, staff and students alike contribute to this mission in a variety of ways. Our Strategic Alignment outlines the colleges values. These values, which align with the university’s Shared Values, shape our goals of our Strategic Alignment. We are committed to scholarship across three mission areas (teaching, research, Extension) with a commitment to serving our state in addition to the country and world. As a land grant, we are part of a cooperative structure that includes key partners all dedicated to integrating research, education, and Extension to improve the food and agricultural sectors, the environment, and the quality of people’s lives. We educate not just undergraduate and graduate students but learners across the lifespan. We work to ensure groundbreaking scientific discoveries are brought out of the laboratory and into the hands of those who can put them to work.

CFAES houses 11 departments/schools with over 20 undergraduate majors and 9 graduate programs, including 3 interdisciplinary programs affiliated with multiple Ohio State colleges. We also administer OSU Extension, which provides robust and relevant programming to Ohioans and beyond in the areas of Agriculture and Natural Resources, 4-H Youth Development, Family and Consumer Sciences, and Community Development. We are one college spanning three campuses: Columbus, CFAES Wooster, and Statewide. Our CFAES Wooster campus includes a large research station and Ohio State’s only two-year academic unit, Ohio State ATI. The Statewide campus includes 11 research stations and Extension offices in all of Ohio’s 88 counties. Our At a Glance provides additional information regarding our size, capacity, and impact as a college.

The University

Ohio State is a top-20 public university, and its Ohio State Wexner Medical Center is one of America’s leading academic health centers and recently ranked No. 4 on Forbes’ list of best U.S. employers for diversity. Eligible Ohio State employees receive comprehensive benefits packages, including medical, dental and vision insurance, tuition assistance for employees and their dependents, and state or alternative retirement options with competitive employer contributions.

The Ohio State University’s Shared Values include Excellence and Impact, Diversity and Innovation, Inclusion and Equity, Care and Compassion, and Integrity and Respect. Our university community welcomes differences, encourages open-minded exploration and courageous thinking, and upholds freedom of expression.

Ohio State is a dynamic community where opportunity thrives, and individuals transform themselves and their world. Positions are available in countless fields and specialties. Become a Buckeye and contribute to an incredible legacy that serves to guide our future and shape a better tomorrow.

The Ohio State University is committed to enhancing academic excellence. Recruiting, supporting, and retaining faculty of the highest caliber is a core component of this commitment. The Office of Academic Affairs (OAA) has established Dual Careers and Faculty Relocation (DCFR) to focus on supporting new and prospective faculty and their loved ones. Service offerings include dual careers partner consultations, identifying potential employers and/or employment opportunities, consultation and resources related to relocation, as well as identifying opportunities to engage on campus and in the surrounding community. While employment opportunities are not guaranteed, resources and consultation are provided to support the partners of new and prospective faculty as they are considering or transitioning to The Ohio State University. 

In addition to being responsive to dual-career opportunities, we strongly promote work-life balance to support our community members through a suite of institutionalized policies.  Ohio State is an NSF ADVANCE institution and a member of the Ohio/Western Pennsylvania/West Virginia Higher Education Recruitment Consortium (HERC).

Located in Ohio’s capital city, Ohio State’s Columbus campus is near the center of a rapidly growing and diverse metropolitan area with a population of over 1.5 million. The area offers a wide range of affordable housing, many cultural and recreational opportunities, excellent schools, and a strong economy based on government as well as service, transportation, and technology industries. Additional information about the Columbus area is available here. In addition to  its Columbus campus, Ohio State has four regional campuses including Ohio State Lima, Ohio State Mansfield, Ohio State Marion, and Ohio State Newark, in addition to CFAES Wooster Campus, which houses Ohio State ATI

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disability.

Final candidates are subject to successful completion of a background check.

Additional Information:

Location:

Kottman Hall (0340)

Position Type:

Regular

Scheduled Hours:

40

Shift:

First Shift

The Ohio State University believes in diversity in people and ideas. What Ohio State does matters. And how we do it matters. When we are at our best, we make a real difference to people. Our size, breadth, geography, history and standard of excellence position us to drive the future of higher education. We believe that the university should be a place where people can work and learn together in a safe environment, free of violence, harassment, discrimination, exploitation, or intimidation. As such, finalists for any faculty position that carries tenure must sign an authorization and disclosure form, which will allow current or prior employer(s) to share information to the University regarding any findings of employment-related misconduct or disciplinary proceedings against a candidate and/or any pending investigations related to alleged misconduct. Such information shall include findings and pending investigations with respect to sexual harassment, violence, or harassment; research misconduct; financial fraud or misconduct; foreign influence violations, grant misuse or misconduct; and/or any other type of finding or pending investigation relating to a candidate’s employer’s policies and rules governing faculty conduct that may reasonably be expected to affect a candidate’s appointment. If the University becomes aware of any past finding of misconduct or pending investigations that were not disclosed, Ohio State will treat that as a serious omission and reserves the right to rescind an offer or terminate employment.

Final candidates are subject to successful completion of a background check.  A drug screen or physical may be required during the post offer process.

Thank you for your interest in positions at The Ohio State University and Wexner Medical Center. Once you have applied, the most updated information on the status of your application can be found by visiting the Candidate Home section of this site. Please view your submitted applications by logging in and reviewing your status. For answers to additional questions please review the frequently asked questions.

The university is an equal opportunity employer, including veterans and disability. 

As required by Ohio Revised Code section 3345.0216, Ohio State will: educate students by means of free, open and rigorous intellectual inquiry to seek the truth; equip students with the opportunity to develop intellectual skills to reach their own, informed conclusions; not require, favor, disfavor or prohibit speech or lawful assembly; create a community dedicated to an ethic of civil and free inquiry, which respects the autonomy of each member, supports individual capacities for growth and tolerates differences in opinion; treat all faculty, staff and students as individuals, hold them to equal standards and provide equality of opportunity with regard to race, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.