Strategic Research Program Chair: Soils and Environment - Soil Biogeochemical Processes

Strategic Research Program Chair: Soils and Environment - Soil Biogeochemical Processes

Applications are invited from qualified individuals for a full-time position as Assistant Professor and Chair of the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture Strategic Research Program (SRP) in Soils and Environment–Soil Biogeochemical Processes. The successful candidate will be located in the Department of Soil Science within the College of Agriculture and Bioresources and will report to the Head of the Department of Soil Science. The SRP’s core areas include, but are not limited to nutrient cycling & cropping systems, environmental agronomy, and biological management, with a focus on the interaction between agriculture and the environment, with the goal of providing solutions for Saskatchewan producers that will help Saskatchewan deliver on its climate change strategy.

Sustainable development of soil resources is the foundation on which agricultural production is based and is key to ensuring future food security. One key issue facing farmers in Canada and across the globe is climate change—recognizing the role that agricultural soils can play in sequestering carbon and reducing greenhouse gas (nitrous oxide in particular) emissions while also recognizing that future adaptations to climate change will be based upon improvements to current mitigation strategies (climate smart agriculture). Soil gaseous nitrogen emissions are symptomatic of nitrogen use inefficiencies that threaten the economic and environmental sustainability of our production systems. Thus, the successful candidate will be responsible for research that focuses on soil biogeochemical processes, soil gas fluxes, and/or biological inputs—including the development and/or evaluation of biological inoculants and bio-based soil amendments—that optimize nutrient use efficiency, enhance crop production, maintain or enhance soil quality, and provide definable environmental benefits. This may include basic and applied research, though the focus is on field-based studies that will help inform producers as to best crop production practices that will maximize their ability to balance environmental interactions while maintaining or enhancing productivity of the cropping system as a whole. These areas of research are important to Saskatchewan producers and support marketing initiatives that will help Saskatchewan deliver on its climate change strategy. The successful candidate will be expected to interact with producers and producer groups to identify and/or develop strategies that lead to a robust, sustainable agriculture sector.

The successful applicant will participate in the Department’s undergraduate and graduate teaching program, as well as mentoring graduate and postdoctoral students in Soil Biogeochemical Processes. Teaching will not exceed 10% of the Chair’s time, with research, publishing findings, and engaging with the agricultural community encompassing the majority of their time.

In addition to establishing and maintaining professional relationships with faculty, staff, and students, the candidate must establish successful research collaborations and relationships with potential soil science partners including new faculty hires in the digital agriculture cluster, Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada, the Global Institute for Food Security (GIFS), and across the University of Saskatchewan campus (e.g., Geography, School of Environment and Sustainability, Computer Science, Engineering). Key stakeholders may include members of the Saskatchewan Institute of Agrologists, Indigenous communities, non-profit organizations in the region, government, and industry. The successful candidate will have access to an extensive suite of state-of-the-art analytical instrumentation in the BMO Soil Analytical Lab and the Prairie Environmental Agronomy Research Lab (PEARL), which includes a world-class greenhouse gas facility.

Candidates should have completed (or nearly completed) a Ph.D. in an appropriate discipline, such as Soil Science or Agronomy. A demonstrated ability to plan and execute complex research activities is essential, while post-secondary teaching experience would be considered an asset. Salary bands for this position for the 2025-2026 academic year are as follows: Assistant Professor: $110,489 to $131,909. This position includes a comprehensive benefits package that includes a dental, health and extended vision care plan; pension plan, life insurance (compulsory and voluntary), academic long-term disability, sick leave, travel insurance, death benefits, an employee assistance program, a professional expense allowance, and a flexible health and wellness spending program. This position is a tenure-track-equivalent, “Continuing Status” position.

Interested candidates must submit, via email, a cover letter; a detailed curriculum vitae; a statement of research philosophy, a statement of teaching philosophy and experience, an Equity, Diversity and Inclusion statement (see USask policy), and the contact information for three referees to:

Dr. Colin Laroque, Head
Department of Soil Science
University of Saskatchewan
51 Campus Drive
Saskatoon, SK
Canada S7N 5A8
Tel: (306) 966-2493
E-mail: colin.laroque@usask.ca

Due to federal immigration requirements, we ask all candidates to indicate whether they are Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or are otherwise already authorized to work at this position for the duration of the appointment, with an explanation if this last category is indicated.

Review of applications will begin May 16, 2025, however, applications will be accepted and evaluated until May 31, 2025. The anticipated start date is as early as July 1, 2025.

More information about the University of Saskatchewan, College of Agriculture and Bioresources, and the Department of Soil Science can be found at http://www.agbio.usask.ca.

Status: Continuing Status
Employment Group: USFA
Full Time Equivalent (FTE): 1.0
Posted Date: 4/9/2025
Closing Date: May 31, 2025

The University is committed to employment equity, diversity, and inclusion, and is proud to support career opportunities for Indigenous peoples to reflect the community we serve. We are dedicated to recruiting individuals who will enrich our work and learning environments. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, in accordance with Canadian immigration requirements, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority. We are committed to providing accommodations to those with a disability or medical necessity. If you require an accommodation to participate in the recruitment process, please notify us and we will work together on the accommodation request. We continue to grow our partnerships with Indigenous communities across the province, nationally, and internationally and value the unique perspective that Indigenous employees provide to strengthen these relationships. Verification of Indigenous Membership/Citizenship at the University of Saskatchewan is led and determined by the deybwewin | taapwaywin | tapwewin: Indigenous Truth policy and Standing Committee in accordance with the processes developed to enact the policy. Successful candidates that assert Indigenous membership/citizenship will be asked to complete the verification process of Indigenous membership/citizenship with documentation. The University of Saskatchewan’s main campus is situated on Treaty 6 Territory and the Homeland of the Métis. We pay our respects to the First Nations and Métis ancestors of this place and reaffirm our relationship with one another. Together, we are uplifting Indigenization to a place of prominence at the University of Saskatchewan.