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Indigenous prairie agroecosystems: investigating soil health and perspectives on climate solutions

Dr. Melissa Arcand is seeking an MSc student to conduct research to examine soil health and perspectives on climate solutions in partnership with Indigenous communities who are engaged in agriculture and agricultural land management across the Prairies. This is part of the LEAP (Leveraging Ecosystems to transform Agriculture on the Prairies) Project (https://umanitoba.ca/agricultural-food-sciences/leap), an NSERC/SSHRC funded Sustainable Agriculture Research Initiative, led out of the University of Manitoba, with this position located at the University of Saskatchewan, Department of Soil Science.

Students will gain interdisciplinary experience, conducting soil health assessments as well as interviews with First Nations land managers and farmers. There will also be close interaction with the SAGE (Soil and Agroecosystem) Project, which is an outreach and education initiative focused on developing and delivering workshops on soils and Indigenous Prairie agroecology. Dr. Arcand’s team is comprised of students and staff from diverse backgrounds and life experiences working collaboratively on various topics related to soil nutrient cycling, carbon sequestration, plant-soil relationships, and Indigenous agriculture.

Interested students should have the following experience, interests, and skills:

• Undergraduate degree in soil science, Indigenous studies, environmental science, environmental studies, renewable resource management, geography, or related discipline
• Strong communication skills and ability to work and communicate with colleagues and collaborators of diverse backgrounds
• Self-motivated and ability to work independently as well as in a collaborative team
• An interest in learning about plains Indigenous history, culture, and contemporary issues particularly related to agriculture and land stewardship
• Experience working in collaboration with Indigenous communities considered an asset

MSc students will be paid a stipend of $24,000 per year for 2.5 years. Additional scholarship opportunities and teaching assistant positions are available.

Interested candidates should submit a CV, a cover letter indicating your interest in this specific project, and unofficial transcripts to melissa.arcand@usask.ca.

Start date: May 2025 or September 2025.

The Department of Animal and Poultry Science (College of Agriculture and Bioresources) has a post-graduate position available in Grazing and Forage Management (beef cattle), Sustainable Agriculture. The position available is a thesis-based program leading to either a PhD or an MSc degree. Studies involve course work and a field research experiment evaluating different annual crop species as simple or complex mixtures. Data includes forage biomass and quality, grazing animal performance, greenhouse gas emissions, and soil characterization while evaluating the synergies of sustainable management between forages and beef cattle.

Willingness to travel within Saskatchewan and Alberta and an interest in working in a multi-disciplinary research group is required. Practical experience with the beef cattle industry, or a biological discipline such as forage management, animal science or soil science is desirable. The ideal candidate must have a strong academic performance in order to be eligible for admissions to our College of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies (CGPS). For more information about admissions visit: https://grad.usask.ca/programs/animal-poultry-science.php

Individuals wishing to apply or seeking more information, please contact Dr. H.A. (Bart) Lardner (bart.lardner@usask.ca or 306-966-2147). Formal application will require a letter of intent, curriculum vitae, transcript of marks and two letters of recommendation. Immediate incorporation (Spring 2025) is preferred. Positions will remain open until filled.

The University of Saskatchewan is strongly committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace that empowers all employees to reach their full potential. All members of the university community share a responsibility for developing and maintaining an environment in which differences are valued, and inclusiveness is practiced. The university welcomes applications from those who will contribute to the diversity of our community. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, in accordance with Canadian immigration requirements, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority.

The Department of Animal and Poultry Science (College of Agriculture and Bioresources) has a post-graduate position available in Grazing and Forage Management (beef cattle), Crop & Livestock Integration. The position available is a thesis-based program leading to an MSc degree. Studies involve course work and a field research experiment evaluating different annual crop species as simple or complex mixtures. Data includes forage biomass and quality, grazing animal performance, greenhouse gas emissions, and soil characterization while evaluating the synergies of integrating crops and livestock.

Willingness to travel within Saskatchewan and an interest in working in a multi-disciplinary research group is required. Practical experience with the beef cattle industry, or a biological discipline such as forage management, animal science or soil science is desirable.

The ideal candidate must have a strong academic performance in order to be eligible for admissions to our College of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies (CGPS). For more information about admissions visit: https://grad.usask.ca/programs/animal-poultry-science.php

Individuals wishing to apply or seeking more information, please contact Dr. H.A. (Bart) Lardner (bart.lardner@usask.ca or 306-966-2147). Formal application will require a letter of intent, curriculum vitae, transcript of marks and two letters of recommendation. Immediate incorporation (Spring 2025) is preferred. Positions will remain open until filled.

The University of Saskatchewan is strongly committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace that empowers all employees to reach their full potential. All members of the university community share a responsibility for developing and maintaining an environment in which differences are valued, and inclusiveness is practiced. The university welcomes applications from those who will contribute to the diversity of our community. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, in accordance with Canadian immigration requirements, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority.