- Research, Teaching, and Professional Opportunities
- Postdoctoral and Graduate Student Opportunities
- International Research and Teaching Opportunities
Research, Teaching, and Professional Opportunities
The University of Guelph invites applications for an NSERC Tier 2 Canada Research Chair (CRC) in Ecohydrology. Tier 2 Chairs are tenable for five years and renewable once. The successful candidate will hold a PhD in Hydrology, Ecosystem Science, or a related discipline and have the potential to achieve international recognition in the field of ecohydrology and a strong potential to lead in their field. For each Tier 2 Chair, the institution receives $100,000 annually for five years (which can be used for salary and research). In addition to this, the Chair receives a $20,000 annual stipend for research. The CRC position search will be held in the spring/summer of 2023, with an application submitted to the CRC Program in Fall 2023 or Winter 2024. The successful candidate will complement existing expertise in the School of Environmental Sciences (SES (https://ses.uoguelph.ca/)) in agricultural systems, Biogeochemistry, aquatic and terrestrial ecology, environmental chemistry, microbiology and hydrogeology.
Nominees for Tier 2 Chair positions should be assistant or associate professors or possess the necessary qualifications to be appointed to these levels. Eligibility for a Tier 2 Chair requires that applicants are emerging scholars. Applicants who are more than 10 years from having earned their highest degree, where career breaks exist, such as parental or extended sick leave, clinical training, or other exceptional circumstances, including research interruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic may have their eligibility assessed through the program’s Tier 2 justification process. Eligible leaves and research interruptions are generally credited at twice the amount of time taken. For more information about eligibility and the Tier 2 Justification Process, please contact Ailsa Kay, Manager, Strategic Programs at ailsakay@uoguelph.ca . Please consult the Canada Research Chairs website for full program information.
Application deadline : May 1, 2023
Applicants must Submit:
- A full curriculum vitae
- A four-page (maximum) statement that includes:
- A research statement providing an overview of the applicant’s research proposal, including knowledge mobilization and any innovation activities, that demonstrates how the candidate meets the CRC criteria for Tier 2
- How the proposed research embeds EDI considerations at each stage of the research process
- Alignment with U of G’s existing or emerging areas of research strength
- A maximum 2-page teaching statement, including teaching philosophy and evidence of effective teaching (e.g., course syllabi, teaching plans)
- Names and contact information for three external references. Candidates who are shortlisted will be asked for letters of references that demonstrate how the candidate meets the CRC criteria for Tier 2.
Applications should be sent to the attention of:
Dr. Paul Sibley
Director and Professor
SES of Environmental Sciences
University of Guelph
Guelph, ON N1G 2W1
Directorasst.ses@uoguelph.ca
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The Department of Soil and Agrifood Engineering invites applications for a regular professor position in the following field: Climate change and greenhouse gases in relation to sustainable soil management. The Department is made up of a team of 19 professors who supervise approximately 500 undergraduate students and around 100 graduate students. The Department offers several study programs of undergraduate degrees, including agronomy, agro-environmental engineering and food engineering and at the graduate degree in soil and environmental sciences and in agri-food engineering.
Job Description
- Develop, participate and teach courses on greenhouse gases from agricultural activities and their effects on climate change as well as the effect of soil management methods and production systems in mitigating their emissions. Field of investigation and activities should also look to ways to improve the resilience of production systems in the face of climate change, at the levels of the three training cycles.
- Develop an original research program focusing on the development of a detailed understanding of the production of greenhouse gases in the agroecosystem, the movement of gases in soil and biosphere-atmosphere interactions in agricultural systems, including modern techniques for measuring greenhouse gas emissions, their effects on the environment, and ways to mitigate or reduce emissions. The incumbent is also expected to study soil management methods allowing adaptation to climate change while mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and the ecological footprint of agricultural production systems.
- Participate in the supervision of students at the levels of the three training cycles.
- Contribute to the promotion of research activities in the field of climate change and greenhouse gas management in connection with sustainable soil management in agriculture.
- Participate in the life of Université Laval.
Application deadline : September 30, 2023
Job starting date : January 1, 2024
Interested persons are requested to submit, a dossier containing :
- A detailed curriculum vitae.
- Transcripts (undergrad in graduate degrees).
- A letter of introduction (maximum 3 pages) highlighting your qualifications in the field of greenhouse gases and sustainable soil management, your vision for developing your field of research and describing your motivations for exercising the function of professor as well as your three major contributions since the last five years.
- Three (3) scientific articles recently published or accepted in peer-reviewed journals in the research field of the position to be filled.
- Three (3) reference letters directly from the signatories, attesting to your skills in the field of climate change and greenhouse gases in relation to sustainable soil management in agriculture sent by email to:
damien.de.halleux@fsaa.ulaval.ca
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Project Title: Development of eco-restoration practices through a co-production process on Indigenous traditional territories in boreal Saskatchewan
Project Summary:
Restoration practitioners and Indigenous communities have a vested interest in understanding how to promote healthy resilience ecosystems following anthropogenic disturbance. Working in partnership with Denison Mines, Indigenous-owned and operated Northwest Communities Environmental Services (NWCES) and the communities of Beauval, Ile-a-la Crosse, Patuanak (English River First Nation), and Pinehouse our goal is to develop effective eco-restoration practices on Indigenous territories through a co-production process. Reconciliation requires new ways of conducting natural science and the rigorous application of both Indigenous knowledge and Western science is needed to support decision making. Through knowledge co-production we aim to address knowledge gaps and improve restoration practices. Specifically, we propose to develop site-specific restoration techniques through furthering our understanding of the recovery early-stage soil nutrient inputs in disturbed upland boreal forests.
Duties will include:
- Work with the partners to establish a 5-member Indigenous Project Advisory Board with members from Beauval, Ile-a-la Crosse, Patuanak (English River First Nation), and Pinehouse
- Provide logistical support for board meetings and communicate outcomes to all project members and target communities
- Develop and support youth education initiatives in the above communities
- Assist with hiring local youth as summer research assistants
- Support graduate students leading community engagement, community-based research, and on-site restoration activities
- Travel regularly to the four communities above, as well as the Denison site near Key Lake, SK
- Report regularly and professionally to academic project leaders
Expected competencies include:
- Demonstrated experience and expertise working with Indigenous communities
- Experience working in education and youth programming in Indigenous communities
- A working knowledge of ecological restoration and/or land management
- Team player with strong initiative who can work with minimal supervision and anticipate team needs
- Demonstrated track record of carrying out the necessary management tasks to convene and catalyze teams to deliver timely, high-quality products
- Knowledge of curriculum development and implementation strategies
- Workshop or conference organization experience
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a strong track record in research dissemination for various audiences
- Ability and willingness to travel and work evenings and weekends to coordinate aspects of project work
- Valid driver’s license
The expected starting date for this 2.5-year project will be April 2023.
The stipend for this part-time position is $50,000 including benefits per year.
Interested candidates should submit a cover letter outlining your interest and experience, a CV and three references to Dr. Katherine Stewart at University of Saskatchewan (katherine.stewart@usask.ca) by March 24, 2023. For more information, please contact Dr. Stewart.
Anticipated start date of April, 2023.
The Faculty of Land and Food Systems at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada (www.landfood.ubc.ca) is seeking an outstanding candidate for a full-time, tenure stream position at the rank of Assistant or Associate Professor within the Applied Biology Program.
The anticipated start date is January 1, 2024, although an alternate start date can be negotiated.
Applicants must have a Ph.D. in soil science, hydrology or a closely related field, supplemented with postdoctoral or equivalent experience. Candidates must demonstrate potential for outstanding research with relevance to soil hydrological processes and sustainable water management in natural and/or agricultural systems, with an emphasis on how those processes can mitigate the impacts of climate change on ecosystems. Areas of interest can include applied soil physics, irrigation and water management, soil and water conservation, watershed management, hydropedology, and applied hydrogeophysics. Applicants must demonstrate strong potential for excellence in creating an equitable, inclusive and diverse research team, and excellence in teaching undergraduate and graduate soil science courses.
Applications must be made through the University of British Columbia’s Human Resources online careers page (https://ubc.wd10.myworkdayjobs.com/ubcfacultyjobs). Applicants should submit one combined PDF file including: (1) cover letter; (2) curriculum vitae; (3) contact information of three references; (4) statement describing a five-year research plan (1-2 pages); (5) statement of teaching philosophy with evidence of potential for effective teaching (1-2 pages); and (6) statement identifying a commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion (up to 1 page).
Applicants are also asked to complete an equity survey. The survey information will not be used to determine eligibility for employment, but will be collated to provide data that can assist us in understanding the diversity of our applicant pool, identify potential barriers to the employment of designated equity group members, and comply with our hiring practices. Your participation in the survey is voluntary and confidential. Data collected through this survey will be held by the Dean’s office and will only be shared at the aggregate level with the hiring committee. https://ubc.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bqoyIYrLVBOHrRc
Equity and diversity are essential to academic excellence. An open and diverse community fosters the inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented or discouraged. We encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the B.C. Human Rights Code, including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Metis, Inuit, or Indigenous person. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents of Canada will be given priority.
To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by May 1, 2023; however, this position will remain open until a suitable candidate is identified. If you have specific questions about the application process, please contact the Chair of the Selection Committee c/o melanie.train@ubc.ca.
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The University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) invites applications for a tenure-track position in the Department of Ecosystem Science and Management at the rank of Assistant Professor, with a proposed starting date of July 1, 2023. As an institution committed to the fostering of an inclusive and transformative learning environment, UNBC values high quality and growth in both teaching and scholarship.
UNBC’s Dept of Ecosystem Science & Management oversees BSc. undergraduate degrees in: Biology; Conservation Science & Practice; Forest Ecology & Management; Wildlife & Fisheries, and a BA. degree in Nature and Resource-based Management. Faculty supervise graduate students (Masters and Doctoral) within the Natural Resources & Environmental Studies (NRES) Graduate Program. The program resides within the Faculty of Environment, alongside the Department of Geography, Earth & Environmental Sciences and the School of Planning & Sustainability. UNBC is well equipped with modern research facilities, three field research stations, including two research forests.
We seek candidates who will develop a vigorous, externally funded long-term research program in one or more aspects of soils of forested landscapes. Relevant research interests could include: fundamental ecological functions of forest soils, application of soil science to Indigenous land management, natural resource management in forested landscapes, and/or the genesis and landscape patterns of soils in forested environments. We are particularly interested in candidates with background and/or interest in boreal and temperate regions.
Applications received on or before March 30, 2023, will receive full consideration; however, applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
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Postdoctoral and Graduate Student Opportunities
** M.Sc. in Phosphorus Dynamics in Perennial Grain Systems at UofM **
We are seeking a highly motivated candidate for a graduate student position (M.Sc.) in the area of soil fertility and plant nutrition of perennial grains. The student will work on a project entitled “Phosphorus dynamics in perennial grain systems,” investigating the phosphorus (P) nutrition of the perennial grain crop KernzaTM, which is intermediate wheatgrass selected for grain production. Perennial grains are seen as an environmentally sustainable production approach, but little is currently known about optimal soil fertility management practices for these novel crops. Specifically, the graduate student will assess the productivity and the P acquisition mechanisms of Kernza when fertilized with different P sources in different soil types. The P fertilizers include the soluble fertilizer monoammonium phosphate, livestock manure, and the slow-release fertilizer struvite, which is a recycled fertilizer extracted from municipal wastewater. This research will include a field study, a controlled-environment plant growth study, and laboratory work such as quantifying mycorrhizal colonization of plant roots.
The position will be based in the Department of Soil Science, University of Manitoba with an anticipated start date of September 2023. The student will be co-supervised by Dr. Joanne Thiessen Martens, Dept. of Soil Science, and Dr. Doug Cattani, Dept. of Plant Science. A graduate stipend of $21,000 per year for two years is available. The Soil Science department is based at the Fort Garry campus of the University of Manitoba, located in Winnipeg.
Candidates will have excellent oral and written skills in English and will have completed a 4-year equivalent B.Sc. degree in soil science, plant science, agronomy, environmental science, or a related discipline. A valid driver’s license or the ability to obtain one is preferred. The lab groups leading this research are committed to an equitable, diverse, and inclusive training environment. We especially welcome applications from women, racialized persons, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, persons of all sexual orientations and genders, and others who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas. Interested candidates are asked to send the following application materials to Dr. Joanne Thiessen Martens (J.ThiessenMartens@umanitoba.ca):
- Cover Letter – include why you are interested in this position; a statement indicating the school, program and year in which you are currently enrolled; and a description of any previous research experience.
- Detailed CV
- Academic transcript(s)
- An example of your original science-related writing (lab report, term paper, etc.)
- The contact information for at least two academic referees.
For more information click the here.
** Post-Doctoral Fellows in First Nations Agricultural Land Use and Management at UofS **
We are seeking two PDFs to work collaboratively on a large multistakeholder project called Bridge to Land Water Sky (BTLWS) Living Lab located in the prairie-parkland agricultural region of Saskatchewan. The Bridge to Land Water Sky Living Lab project is led by Mistawasis Nehiyawak in partnership with Muskeg Lake Cree Nation, USask, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, and other Indigenous, agricultural, and environmental non-government organizations. The BTLWS Living Lab is focused on improving the health and climate resiliency of First Nations agroecosystems and is unique in Canada as it will work with Indigenous and non-Indigenous producers who farm on First Nations reserve lands.
The overall goal of the PDFs’ research is to assess agricultural land use and change and agricultural intensification on First Nations. The research will provide foundational data to help guide where testing and implementation of best management practices (BMPs) might take place for the Living Lab (PDF1; natural science) and help to understand the barriers and facilitators of BMP adoption by producers who farm on First Nations land (PDF2; social science).
For further information, contact Dr. Melissa Arcand, University of Saskatchewan (melissa.arcand@usask.ca). Only qualified individuals will be contacted for interviews.
For more information click the here.
Anticipated start date of March 1, 2023.
** Postdoctoral fellow opportunity in Soil-Plant feedback and root-induced weathering at UBC **
Within the Faculty of Land and Food Systems at the University of British Columbia (Canada), we are seeking an outstanding candidate with a recent PhD (<5 years) and passionate to advance the fundamental understanding of soil-plant feedback controls on rhizosphere processes. The project implemented under highly controlled climatic conditions will target multiple processes at the frontier of several disciplines: soil chemistry, biogeochemistry, plant physiology and organic chemistry.
For more information click the here.
Anticipated start date of January – February 2023.
** PhD Opportunity in Ecosystem services and profitability of perennial grain crops for integrated grain and forage production at University of Alberta**
A PhD graduate student position available. Highly qualified candidates are encouraged. Working with Dr. Akim Omokanye, Science Director, Peace Country Beef & Forage Association, several other project collaborators, and Dr. Guillermo Hernandez, Associate Professor, University of Alberta, and registered as a graduate student at University of Alberta, Department of Renewable Resources.
For more information click the here.
Anticipated start date of January or May 2023 (or until filled).
** M.Sc. or PhD Opportunity in Potato Bedding and Greenhouse Gases at University of Alberta**
An M.Sc. or PhD graduate student position available. Highly qualified candidates are encouraged to inquire about this MSc or PhD position.
Working directly with Dr. Rezvan Karimi, Soil Fertility Research Scientist, based in Lethbridge College, Dr. Roland Kroebel, Research and Development Centre of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, and Dr. Guillermo Hernandez, Associate Professor, University of Alberta, and registered as a graduate student at University of Alberta, Department of Renewable Resources.
For more information click the here.
Anticipated start date of January or April 2023.
This is a unique opportunity to join an interdisciplinary project spanning the fields of restoration ecology, soil science, and plant ecology. Revegetation of northern boreal and arctic mine sites is challenged by remote locations, limited top soil resources and access to locally sourced native plant materials. On disturbed sites in temperate and warm arid climates, woody shrubs are known to facilitate establishment and growth of native species by trapping windblown seed, increasing growing season soil moisture, and improving soil nutrient conditions through nitrogen fixation and litter inputs. This technique has not been examined in northern ecosystems and the relative importance of physical versus biological factors in promoting plant establishment and growth is unknown. We will be evaluating the use of abiotic and living vertical structures to facilitate the arrival, establishment and growth of native boreal species. This research aims to better understand the conditions and mechanisms that support recovery of boreal forest plant-soil systems, while providing practical techniques for successful mine site revegetation. Fieldwork will be conducted at a working mine site in Yukon Territory, Canada. This project is partially funded via a MITACS grant with opportunities to work closely with mine company staff.
For more information:
Visit: https://www.yukonu.ca/research/projects/revegetation-minto-mine
Dr. Katherine Stewart, Department of Soil Science, University of Saskatchewan: Katherine Stewart – College of Agriculture and Bioresources | University of Saskatchewan (usask.ca)
Dr. Guillaume Nielsen, NSERC Industrial Research Chair in Northern Mine Remediation: Bio | Guillaume Nielsen (yukonu.ca)
Applicants for this position should have: B.Sc. or B.S.A. degree with a concentration in one or more of the following fields: plant ecology, soil science, or restoration ecology.
To Apply: Applicants should send a resume, cover letter, transcripts (unofficial transcripts are acceptable at this stage), and an example your writing to (e.g. a paper, extract from a thesis, or class project) Katherine.stewart@usask.ca
Anticipated start date of either September 2022 or January 2023.
Click here for a copy of the position announcement
** Applied Pedology Laboratory at the University of Saskatchewan**
The Applied Pedology Laboratory at the University of Saskatchewan invites applications for a PhD in the Department of Soil Science, College of Agriculture and Bioresources to join the research team led by Dr. Angela Bedard-Haughn
This work will primarily involve identifying and utilizing the appropriate advanced statistical procedures on existing data sets, focusing on how SOC cycling and sequestration potential are affected by soil management practices, cropping systems, soil type, and environmental change. You will be part of an industry-funded project that will enhance the availability of soil information for Saskatchewan, key for making land management decisions and assessing soil health. Your portion of the project will be responsible for completing an analysis using this enhanced soil dataset, along with complementary data sources from long-term studies, to investigate relationships between biotic and abiotic factors and dynamic soil processes in Saskatchewan agricultural systems.
Applicants for this position should have: 1) A Master’s degree in soil science, plant science, agronomy or a related discipline; 2) Prior experience with R; 3) Understanding of soil organic carbon dynamics; 4) Experience with multivariate statistical analysis in R; 5) Experience with remote sensing data analysis.
To Apply: Applicants should send a resume, cover letter, transcripts (unofficial transcripts are acceptable at this stage), and the names of two references to preston.sorenson@usask.ca
The position is open until a suitable candidate is found.
Click here for a copy of the position announcement
** Postdoctoral Fellow opportunity in Watershed Evaluation Group at the University of Guelph **
The Watershed Evaluation Group at the University of Guelph invites applications for a Postdoctoral Fellow in Watershed Modeling to join the research team led by Dr. Wanhong Yang. The team members, comprising postdoctoral fellows, graduate, and undergraduate research assistants, have versatile expertise in watershed hydrologic modeling, integrated GIS, hydrologic and economic modeling, watershed evaluation of beneficial management practices (BMPs), and desktop GIS and WebGIS based interface tool development. The successful candidate for this position is expected to play an important role in several research projects that develop GIS based integrated economic-hydrologic modeling for evaluating cost effectiveness of BMPs in agricultural watersheds. There are also opportunities to enhance/develop nutrient and carbon cycling components of the watershed modeling. This is a full-time, grant-funded research position for one year with possible renewal upon fund availability and a satisfactory performance.
Applicants for this position should: 1) have a solid training on hydrology, geography, soil science, or related fields; 2) have hands-on experiences of applying watershed hydrologic models such as the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) to conduct long-term simulations of runoff and its associated constituents (e.g., sediment and nutrients) at a watershed scale and/or biophysical models such as DNDC and DayCent; and 3) be familiar with commonly used GIS tools (e.g. ArcGIS). The demonstrated computer programming and relational database (such as PostgreSQL) skills would be an asset.
To Apply Applicants should submit a curriculum vita/resume, a two-page statement of research experience and interest, and the contact information of three referees, to:
Dr. Wanhong Yang
Department of Geography, Environment and Geomatics
University of Guelph
Guelph, Ontario, Canada N1G 2W1
The closing date for applications is March 31, 2022.
Click here for a copy of the position announcement
International Research and Teaching Opportunities
** President’s Postdoctoral Fellow position at University of Minnesota **
The Department of Agronomy and Plant Genetics at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities seeks to fill a President’s Postdoctoral Fellow position in the area of climate smart agriculture. Candidates will be considered from multiple sub-disciplines, including agronomy, weed science, biochemistry, biotechnology, physiology, genetics/genomics, breeding, or bioinformatics. This is a two-year position starting with an initial, renewable 12-month appointment with the possibility of advancing to a tenure track position.
Click here for a copy of the job announcement
** Postdoctoral researcher position at Tennessee State University **
The Urban Forest Ecosystems Lab at Tennessee State University is looking for a highly motivated Post-doctoral Researcher. This is a 12-month, full-time position (salary: $60,000 plus university benefits) with the possibility of an extension depending on job performance and funding availability. The selected candidate will lead a U.S. Forest Service-funded project on Urban Forests, Extreme Climate, and Urban Watersheds in the South. If interested, please send a one-page letter of interest and your CV to Dr. Yujuan Chen: