UAV Research Technician

Primary Purpose:

The position exists to utilize Unpiloted Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) to regularly capture imagery of crops. These images will be used by graduate students and post-doctoral fellows to analyze crop phenotypes (characteristics) to accelerate crop breeding. The technician will be responsible for all aspects of the UAV imaging of crops, the data transfer, and the processing of images. The successful applicant will also supervise summer students who assist in the data gathering and data processing.

Nature of Work:

Reporting to Professor Steve Shirtliffe and Assistant Professor Adam Carter, the work in this position is seasonal as it follows the growing season of crops from May through August. Prior to seeding, the technician and the supervisor meet with the collaborating crop scientists to plan the season's flight campaigns. Ground control points are installed and georeferenced in the corners of all experiments before flights begin. The busiest season is June and July when crops are actively growing, and regular (usually weekly) imagery of each site is required. Overtime may be required during peak periods. There are multiple sites for imaging that require the UAV support vehicle to be driven to each site. The position is relatively independent as the technician works independently with the summer students in the field during the growing season. Safety is a key element of this position, and we follow all Transport Canada rules when flying UAVs. In-field checks of crop imaging just after flights ensure that any errors in imaging can be corrected. Organization is key to this job as data must be carefully filed in university computers to prevent loss. Following the growing season (mid-August), the position returns to the Agronomic Crop Imaging lab for the software processing of data. The technician has input into how processes are conducted at all stages of the annual cycle.

Typical Duties or Accountabilities:

1. Interface with researchers and supervisors to plan crop imagery UAV campaigns
2. Collaborate with Imaging Postdoctoral fellows from Pea and Wheat research programs to ensure experiments are imaged with UAVs on schedule
3. Install and RTK GPS reference ground control points on field experiments
4. Capture field imagery of crops (weekly and biweekly) throughout the growing season
5. Record flight activity and imagery gathered in a logbook
6. Drive Crop Imaging Support Vehicle to field locations and arrange for maintenance of the vehicle
7. Quality check UAV imagery in the field
8. Transfer imagery data to the lab for uploading
9. Upload and organize imagery into secure file locations on DataStore
10. Manage UAV imagery data on DataStore
11. Hire, train, and supervise summer students
12. Process imagery data and provide orthomosaics and/or 3D point cloud data to collaborators (supervisors, PDFs, and graduate students)
13. Extract data using GIS program (ArcGIS or QGIS) to analyze specific trials as directed by supervisor
14. Prepare data for submission to annual reports and publications

Education:

1. BSc degree or diploma in a related field is preferable
2. Canadian Certification as a Basic UAV pilot is preferable
3. Class 5 Driver’s License

Experience:

Experience with UAVs or crop field plots is considered an asset.

1. Experience in using diverse software and handling data is considered an asset.

Skills:

1. Self-Motivated: Ability to work independently and take initiative
2. Organizational Proficiency: Strong organizational and time management skills
3. Multitasking: Capable of managing multiple deadlines in a fast-paced environment
4. Team Collaboration: Effective communication and contribution within a team setting
5. Data Management: Experience in handling and processing large data sets
6. Leadership: Proven supervisory skills
7. UAV Expertise: Experience with Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)
8. Drone Certification: Basic and Advanced Operations Drone Pilot Certificate (training available for suitable candidates)
9. Safety Commitment: Dedication to safe operational practices
10. Vehicle Operation: Experience in driving large vehicles

Inquiries regarding this position can be directed to Dr. Steve Shirtliffe, Department of Plant Science, Steve.Shirtliffe@usask.ca

Department: Plant Sciences

Status: Term 2 years with the possibility of extension

Employment Group: Research Positions - Non-union

Full Time Equivalent (FTE): 1.0

Salary: The salary range, based on 1.0 FTE, is $31.39 - 43.96 per hour. The starting salary will be commensurate with education and experience.

Salary Family (if applicable):

Salary Phase/Band: Salary Band 7

Posted Date: 4/14/2025

Closing Date: 4/27/2025 at 6:00 pm CST

Number of Openings: 1

Work Location: On Site

The successful applicant will be required to provide the following current verification(s) where 'Yes' is indicated below. Further information is available at: https://careers.usask.ca/tips-for-applying.php

Criminal Record Check: Not Applicable

Driver's License and Abstract Check: Yes

Education/Credential Verification: Not Applicable

Vulnerable Sector Check: Not Applicable

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.