Faculty and staff positions

For faculty and staff positions please visit careers.usask.ca.

Undergraduate summer research opportunities

I am currently seeking one Undergraduate Research Assistant to join my research program at the University of Saskatchewan within the Department of Food and Bioproduct Sciences, with a start date in May to August, 2026. The selected candidate will contribute to a collaborative research project on-going within the group, with emphasis being placed on characterization of composition and functionality of novel plant protein ingredients.  

Research Focus:

  • Ingredient analysis (Food chemistry)
  • Plant proteins

Ideal Candidate:

  • Background in Food Science or a related field.
  • Strong chemistry and laboratory skills
  • Committed to working respectfully and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team
  • Organized, proactive, and open to contributing to other ongoing research projects within the lab.
  • Strong communication and soft skills

Location: University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK

To apply or inquire, contact me at michael.nickerson@usask.ca with your CV.

Graduate student and Postdoctoral Fellow opportunities

Prairie Swine Centre’s Ethology department presents a new PhD opportunity with the objective of evaluating alternative farrowing systems on the welfare and productivity of sows and piglets.

Prairie Swine Centre is located in Saskatoon, SK, Canada and includes a 300-sow farrow-to-finish barn. Two alternative farrowing systems will be evaluated alongside the conventional farrowing crate. Several factors will be measured throughout the duration of the project to systematically evaluate the systems and their possible integration into commercial industry.

This project will be supervised by Dr. Jen-Yun Chou (PhD, MSc, MA) from the department of Ethology at Prairie Swine Centre. The student will be enrolled at the University of Saskatchewan in the Department of Animal and Poultry Science.

Funding is expected to last 4 years (2026-2030). Coursework will be completed at the University of Saskatchewan. The selected candidate will be paid according to the standard rate for Doctoral students ($30,655/year) and are expected to help acquire additional scholarships.

Deadline for submission of application: March 31, 2026.

Expected starting date: September 1, 2026

Skills:

  • Master’s degree in Animal Science, Animal Behaviour/Welfare, Animal Agriculture, or other relevant fields
  • Research interest in farm animal welfare
  • Good understanding of the needs of Canadian livestock producers
  • English proficiency
  • Holder of a valid Canadian driver’s license and is committed to acquiring a car within one year of acceptance to facilitate trial work

Applicants:

For more information, please contact Dr. Jen-Yun Chou (jenyun.chou@usask.ca) or research officer Abby Tillotson (abby.tillotson@usask.ca). To apply, please send your CV (4 pages max, including two references and their contact information), unofficial transcript records, and a cover letter outlining your expression of interest (2 pages max).

Start Date: May 2026
Funding: Saskatchewan Agriculture Development Fund (ADF)

Dr. Bart Lardner (University of Saskatchewan) and Dr. Balwinder Kumar (Lakeland College) invite applications from highly motivated and academically strong candidates for a fully funded Master of Science (MSc) position in Animal Science. This exciting research opportunity is a collaboration between the University of Saskatchewan and Lakeland College.

Project overview

This two-year field study at the University of Saskatchewan (Saskatoon) will investigate practical strategies for copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) biofortification of forage barley grown on micronutrient-deficient prairie soils. This research directly addresses a major gap in field-level solutions to mitigate micronutrient deficiencies affecting Saskatchewan’s beef cattle industry and aims to develop practical, producer-ready recommendations.

The project will quantify impacts on forage yield, quality, and Cu and Zn concentration in greenfeed, silage, and hay.

Required Qualifications

Applicants must meet the admission requirements of the College of Agriculture and Bioresources at the University of Saskatchewan, including:

  • A four-year honors degree (or equivalent) in Animal Science, Agronomy, Soil Science, Plant Science, or a related discipline to the proposed study
  • A minimum cumulative weighted average of 70% (USask equivalent) in the last two years of study (60 credit units)
  • Strong interest in forage agronomy, animal nutrition, or mineral metabolism
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills

Proof of English language proficiency may be required for international applicants or applicants whose first language is not English (see USask Graduate Studies website for details).

Previous experience in field research, livestock systems, or laboratory analysis will be considered an asset.

Funding

This position is supported by Saskatchewan’s Agriculture Development Fund (ADF). Funding will include a competitive graduate stipend and research support for the duration of the program, subject to satisfactory academic progress.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit the following documents as a single PDF file:

  • Curriculum Vitae (CV)
  • Letter of interest outlining research experience and career goals
  • Academic transcripts
  • Contact information for three references

Applications should be sent to: bart.lardner@usask.ca

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

The University of Saskatchewan Department of Civil, Geological and Environmental Engineering is seeking a motivated M.Sc. student to join an exciting research project focused on improving runoff management at cow-calf wintering and calving sites in Saskatchewan.

Project Objectives:

  • Conduct fieldwork across various cow-calf operations to collect runoff samples and site characteristics.
  • Perform hydrological modelling to:
    • Validate and estimate runoff from overwintering and calving sites.
    • Assess the impact of Best Management Practices (BMPs) on runoff quantity and nutrient removal.
  • Collaborate with cattle producers and the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture to implement and evaluate low-cost runoff management strategies.
  • Determine practical slope and proximity-to-watercourse thresholds using field-calibrated models.

Qualifications:

  • We are looking for candidates with a background in environmental or agricultural sciences, hydrology or related field.
  • Interest and/or experience in field data collection, hydrological modelling and sustainable agriculture.
  • Strong communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively

Benefits:

  • Fully funded MSc position.
  • Hands-on fieldwork and applied modelling experience.
  • Contribution to provincial agricultural policy and environmental protection efforts.

Interested candidates please reach out to Crystal at cdh098@mail.usask.ca

Supervisor: Dr. Eric van Cleef, Assistant Professor of Crop-Livestock Systems

A motivated MSc student is sought to contribute to an exciting, multidisciplinary project funded by the Saskatchewan Agriculture Development Fund (ADF).

Project Title: Advancing Sustainable Bison Production through Grazing Management and Ecosystem Services Enhancement in Saskatchewan’s Prairies

The successful candidate will join a dynamic team working on applied research that directly impacts producers. Beyond the core bison project, broad, hands-on experience will be gained by collaborating on other lab initiatives, including beef cattle, small ruminants, forage, and integrated crop-livestock systems.

Anticipated Start Date: May 2026

Required Background:

  • A bachelor’s degree in animal science, Animal Bioscience, or a related field.
  • A collaborative mindset and commitment to working in a diverse environment.
  • Strong organizational and communication skills.
  • Familiarity with experimental designs and statistical analysis.

Application Requirements:

Please submit the following to eric.vancleef@usask.ca with the subject line: "MSc Application – Bison Project – [Your Name]"

  1. Curriculum Vitae
  2. Transcripts
  3. Letter of intent outlining interests and goals
  4. Two reference letters emailed directly to the address above

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

All applicants are thanked for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

I am currently seeking one MSc student to join my research program at the University of Saskatchewan within the Department of Food and Bioproduct Sciences, with a start date in Sept 2026. The selected candidate will contribute to a collaborative research project with the National Research Council (Saskatoon, SK) on a project focused on developing machine learning models to map pea composition, functionality/flavour and product application, as predictive tools for breeding programs, ingredient producers and food manufacturers. 

Research Focus:

  • Ingredient analysis (Food chemistry)
  • Machine learning algorithms

Ideal Candidate:

  • Background in Food or Plant Science, Bioinformatics, Computer Science, or a related field.
  • Strong math and statistical backgrounds, and willingness to learn machine learning modeling.
  • Committed to working respectfully and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team
  • Willingness to work both in the lab and computer work, at both USask and NRC.
  • Organized, proactive, and open to contributing to other ongoing research projects within the lab.
  • Strong communication and soft skills

Location: University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK

To apply or inquire, contact me at michael.nickerson@usask.ca with your CV, transcript, and a one-page statement of interest.


 

I am currently seeking one MSc student to join my research program at the University of Saskatchewan within the Department of Food and Bioproduct Sciences, with a start date in Sept 2026. The selected candidate will contribute to a research project focused on developing enzymatic strategies for modifying pulse protein ingredients to enhance their performance in emulsion or foaming systems.

Research Focus:

  • Ingredient analysis (Food chemistry)
  • Plant protein ingredients
  • Interfacial properties of food foams and emulsions.

Ideal Candidate:

  • Background in Food Science or a related field.
  • Strong chemistry and laboratory skills
  • Committed to working respectfully and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team
  • Organized, proactive, and open to contributing to other ongoing research projects within the lab.
  • Strong communication and soft skills

 

Location: University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK

To apply or inquire, contact me at michael.nickerson@usask.ca with your CV, transcript, and a one-page statement of interest.

Supervisor: Dr. Steven Siciliano, Professor of Soil Science and Toxicology

Join our team to solve a critical formulation challenge: developing flowable colloidal suspensions of slow-release minerals that can be easily injected into contaminated soils for long-term biostimulation.

Project Overview: You will develop methods to create stable colloidal suspensions of slow-release minerals using various surfactants (including Span 20, Tween 20, Tween 80, and Poloxamer 124). Building on preliminary results showing promising suspension characteristics, you will optimize formulations to balance settling rate, flowability, and stability—making slow-release biostimulatory solutions practical for field deployment.

Why This Position?

  • Bridge chemistry and environmental engineering in applied remediation science
  • Direct collaboration with FCL, one of Western Canada's largest fuel suppliers
  • See your formulations tested at real contaminated sites
  • Quarterly technical meetings with industry consultants and FCL's environmental team
  • Work in a world-class soil science research environment

Ideal Candidate:

  • Background in chemistry, chemical engineering, environmental science, or related field
  • Interest in colloid science, surfactant chemistry, or formulation development
  • Strong experimental and analytical skills
  • Enthusiasm for translating laboratory research to field applications

Training Benefits:

  • Weekly individual and group mentoring sessions with Dr. Siciliano
  • Quarterly feedback and professional development sessions
  • Access to Central Analytical Laboratory facilities
  • Industry networking and career development opportunities

Application Information:

The University of Saskatchewan is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion. We particularly encourage applications from First Nations, Inuit, and Métis candidates, and will work with Indigenous communities to support student recruitment and retention, including identifying research sites near students' home communities where possible.

To Apply: Contact Dr. Steven Siciliano with your CV, transcripts, and a brief statement of interest explaining your background and motivation for the position.

Funding: Competitive graduate stipends provided through NSERC Alliance grant and FCL partnership.

Supervisor: Dr. Steven Siciliano, Professor of Soil Science and Toxicology

Are you interested in understanding how organic acids can accelerate mineral weathering to sustain long-term hydrocarbon remediation? This position offers the opportunity to optimize organic acid formulations that will enhance nutrient release from slow-release minerals at contaminated sites.

Project Overview: You will evaluate how organic acids (citric acid, maleic acid, tartaric acid, malonic acid, and oxalic acid) interact during the stimulation of weathering and remediation at contaminated sites. Your research will optimize organic acid concentrations to provide the desired release of nutrients at rates suitable for sustained biostimulation over multiple years.

Why This Position?

  • Address a critical gap in long-term remediation technology
  • Work with FCL on sites across Western Canada
  • Research that directly responds to industry needs for decade-long groundwater protection
  • Collaboration with environmental regulators and consulting companies
  • Integration of geochemistry, microbiology, and remediation science

Ideal Candidate:

  • Background in geochemistry, soil science, environmental chemistry, or related field
  • Interest in mineral weathering, organic acids, and soil processes
  • Strong analytical skills and attention to experimental detail
  • Motivation to work on applied environmental problems

Training Benefits:

  • Weekly mentoring with Dr. Siciliano (individual and group sessions)
  • Exposure to field sampling, risk assessment, and advanced analytical techniques
  • Quarterly presentations to industry partners
  • Publication support and conference opportunities
  • Access to Saskatchewan Centre for Cyclotron Science and specialized IRC laboratories

Application Information:

The University of Saskatchewan is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion. We particularly encourage applications from First Nations, Inuit, and Métis candidates, and will work with Indigenous communities to support student recruitment and retention, including identifying research sites near students' home communities where possible.

To Apply: Contact Dr. Steven Siciliano with your CV, transcripts, and a brief statement of interest explaining your background and motivation for the position.

Funding: Competitive graduate stipends provided through NSERC Alliance grant and FCL partnership.

I am currently seeking one MSc student to join my research program at the University of Saskatchewan, with a start date in Winter 2026. The selected candidate will contribute to a multidisciplinary project focused on soil greenhouse gas emissions, soil health indicators, and their links to forage-based livestock systems under different management and climatic conditions.

Research Focus:

  • Soil sampling and laboratory analysis
  • Greenhouse gas measurements
  • Assessment of soil health in forage–livestock systems
  • Integration of soil–plant–animal data to evaluate ecosystem services

Ideal Candidate:

  • Background in Animal Science, Agronomy, Soil Science, Environmental Science, or a related field
  • Committed to working respectfully and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team
  • Willingness to work both in the field and in the lab, sometimes under challenging conditions
  • Basic knowledge in Statistics (including working with SAS and R) and Microsoft Package (Word, Excel, Power Point)
  • Organized, proactive, and open to contributing to other ongoing research projects within the lab

Location: University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK

To apply or inquire, contact me at flavia.vancleef@usask.ca with your CV, transcript, and a one-page statement of interest.

Supervisor: Dr. Steven Siciliano, Professor of Soil Science and Toxicology

Are you passionate about developing sustainable remediation technologies that can transform contaminated site management across Canada? Join our research team to lead the development of innovative slow-release biostimulatory solutions that could triple the number of sites being actively remediated.

Project Overview: You will evaluate the effectiveness of replacing proven ingredients in our established BioLodestone IRC solution with slow-release counterparts, including struvite, basalt, polymer-coated nitrate fertilizers, and Fe-EDDHA. Your research will progress from bench-scale evaluations to ex-situ soil bag experiments (~1 m³ each), and potentially culminate in full-scale field trials at contaminated sites across Western Canada.

Why This Position?

  • Work directly with Federated Cooperatives Limited (FCL), managing ~1,000 sites of concern across Western Canada
  • Quarterly meetings with industry partners and environmental consultants
  • Hands-on field experience implementing remediation programs at contaminated sites
  • Opportunity to translate research directly into industry practice within years
  • Access to state-of-the-art facilities at one of Canada's leading soil science departments
  • Weekly meetings with Dr. Siciliano and monthly interactions with FCL's environmental team

Ideal Candidate:

  • Background in soil science, environmental science, microbiology, or related field
  • Interest in applied environmental research and remediation technologies
  • Strong analytical and experimental design skills
  • Enthusiasm for fieldwork and industry collaboration

Training Benefits:

  • Publication and conference presentation mentorship
  • Professional development in business communications and industrial timelines
  • Experience in regulatory compliance and stakeholder engagement
  • Exposure to North America's largest concentration of environmental toxicologists

Application Information:

The University of Saskatchewan is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion. We particularly encourage applications from First Nations, Inuit, and Métis candidates, and will work with Indigenous communities to support student recruitment and retention, including identifying research sites near students' home communities where possible.

To Apply: Contact Dr. Steven Siciliano with your CV, transcripts, and a brief statement of interest explaining your background and motivation for the position.

Funding: Competitive graduate stipends provided through NSERC Alliance grant and FCL partnership.

Research Focus: The USask Fruit Program invites applications for a postdoctoral researcher position under the supervision of Assistant Professor Dr. Anže Švara. The successful candidate will contribute to research focused on characterizing haskap (Lonicera caerulea) genetic resources maintained within the USask Fruit Program. The primary focus will be on genotyping genetically diverse accessions that exhibit distinct responses to specific growing conditions. This research will leverage advanced sequencing and bioinformatics analyses and will be conducted across field, greenhouse, and laboratory settings.

Nature of Work: A combination of field, greenhouse, laboratory, and computer-based activities.

Accountabilities: The postdoctoral researcher will play a central role in advancing the research and breeding efforts of the USask Fruit Program. They will join a collaborative team of plant breeders and horticultural scientists, focusing on genetic research to support breeding initiatives. Key responsibilities include establishing plant experiments, sampling, conducting ploidy analysis, DNA extraction, sequencing data processing, developing association analysis pipelines, and implementing scalable workflows for high-throughput data analysis. The researcher will collaborate with stakeholders, disseminate results through scientific publications and public channels, and work closely with project partners, growers, industry representatives, and other collaborators. Additional duties include manuscript preparation, grant writing, reporting, assisting with lab activities, supervising junior members, and coordinating team efforts. We seek a motivated highly organized team player committed to fostering a supportive, diverse, equitable, inclusive, and collegial work environment.

Minimum qualifications and education: To meet the eligibility criteria and apply for this position consult the “Future graduate students” website of the University of Saskatchewan: https://cgps.usask.ca/postdocs/appointment-info/future-postdocs.php

This is a two-year position (2026-2027) with a possibility of extension. The position requires a candidate who can begin work in the first half of 2026 and holds a PhD awarded no earlier than 2022, specializing in bioinformatics, plant genetics, or plant breeding. Candidates must demonstrate strong oral and written communication skills in English and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively while meeting tight deadlines.

Preferred qualifications: Background in horticulture, plant genomics, large-scale data analysis, or programming skills is preferred. Demonstrated experience in population genetics using genome-wide genetic marker datasets, statistics, programming in R and command-line environments, and work in field, greenhouse, laboratory, and computational settings would be considered an asset. Possession of a valid Class 5 driver’s license is also an asset.

To apply: All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply. However, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority. The University of Saskatchewan is committed to the principles of employment equity. Members of designated groups (women, people with disabilities, members of visible minorities, and Aboriginal Peoples) are encouraged to apply.

Interested candidates should apply by email containing a brief cover letter (maximum 1 page), a CV including a list of publications with the applicants’ contributions, and contact information for two references, and academic transcripts:

Dr. Anže Svara
Email: anze.svara@usask.ca 

Primary Purpose: The Agronomic Crop Imaging Lab (ACI Lab) invites applications for a three-year postdoctoral fellowship (PDF) under its Research Grant Programs. The selected candidate will contribute to an ongoing research project focused on developing spatio-temporally explicit maps for either (1) N₂O emission risk levels, (2) crop yields across western Canada or other related projects. The research aims to leverage advanced remote sensing, geospatial big data analytics, and state-of-the-art artificial intelligence techniques, including machine and deep learning. 

Nature of Work: Combination of desk and fieldwork 

Accountabilities: The PDF will play a key role in connecting a dynamic team of soil and crop scientists, GIS specialists, remote sensing experts, and computer programmers. They will be responsible for data collection, developing data ETL pipelines, and implementing scalable workflows to support multiple research projects at large spatiotemporal scales. Prior experience collaborating across these disciplines will be a strong asset. 

Education: A Ph.D. in Environmental Science, Geography, Bioresources, Soil Science, Plant Science, Computer Science, or a related discipline. 

Licenses: A valid class 5 driver’s license is a necessity. 

Experience: The candidate should have extensive experience in handling big geospatial datasets, remote sensing, and quantitative research techniques. Strong communication and writing skills are essential. Additionally, the candidate must demonstrate the ability to work independently while collaborating effectively within a team. 

Skills: Expertise in varying disciplines, with strong proficiency in programming languages such as R and Python is required. Experience in big data analytics using time series analysis and spatial interpolation of landscape features in the Canadian Prairie would be considered an asset. 

To Apply: All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority. The University of Saskatchewan is committed to the principles of employment equity. The University encourages applications from qualified Aboriginal people, persons with a disability, racially visible persons, and women. 

Interested applicants should send by email, any questions, a cover letter, a CV, and contact information for two references to: 

Prof. Steve Shirtliffe 

Subject: The ACI Lab PDF (Geodata Analytics for Precision Agriculture, PDF) 

Email: steve.shirtliffe@usask.ca 

Department: Plant Sciences 

Status: Term Employment 

Group: Post-Doctoral Fellows - PSAC 

Full Time Equivalent (FTE): 1.0 Salary Information: 

The starting salary will be commensurate with education and experience. 

Posted Date: 24/03/2025 

Closing Date: Until filled. 

Number of Openings: 1 Work Location: On Campus 

The University is committed to employment equity, diversity, and inclusion, and are 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. 

Primary Purpose: The Pulse Crop Pathology and Lentil Breeding Programs at the Crop Development Centre, University of Saskatchewan require a Postdoctoral Fellow (PDF) immediately who will work as part of a research team on a research project focused on the introgression of anthracnose resistance from a crop wild relative into elite lentil cultivars.

Nature of Work:
Reporting to the Program Leaders, the PDF’s responsibilities will include assisting with the development and execution of experiments to develop interspecific hybrids, optimize embryo rescue protocols for the target genotypes, contribute to the development of backcross-populations, the phenotyping of such populations and the applications of marker-assisted selection for foreground and background selection. The position also involves data analyses and reporting, supervision of junior technical support staff and graduate students, and liaison and coordination with other members of the team.

Accountabilities
: The PDF will conduct inter- and intraspecific hybridization in lentil, optimize embryo rescue protocols and generate interspecific hybrids. They will conduct backcrossing complemented by marker-assisted selection and phenotyping for resistance to anthracnose under controlled conditions. They will collate, organize and analyze data, contribute to the preparation of progress reports, prepare manuscripts for publication in scientific manuscripts. They will also interact with an MSc student who is working on this project and be involved in the day-to-day research supervision.

Education:
: The position requires a PhD degree no earlier than 2022 specializing in tissue culture and molecular and conventional plant breeding.

Licenses:
Possession of valid class 5 driver’s license is an asset.

Experience:
Experience with interspecific hybrids, embryo rescue, plant pathology, and the demonstrated ability to adapt quickly to a new work environment are assets. Research experience in laboratory, greenhouse/growth chamber is required, including marker-assisted selection and tissue culture.

Skills: The position requires a motivated, reliable and highly organized person able to work in a multi-disciplinary group environment and productively contribute to this time-sensitive project. Candidates must possess good oral and written communications skills in English and the ability to work both independently and in a team-based, collaborative environment. The candidate must possess a good working knowledge of safety procedures and protocols.

To Apply:
Interested applicants must include the following in their application: cover letter, curriculum vitae and three names with contact information for reference.

https://careers.usask.ca/

Primary Purpose: The Agronomic Crop Imaging Lab (ACI Lab), University of Saskatchewan invites applications for a three-year postdoctoral fellowship (PDF) under its Research Grant Programs. The selected candidate will contribute to a number of ongoing research projects.

Nature of Work: Combination of desk and fieldwork

Accountabilities:
The PDF will play a key role in connecting a dynamic team of soil and crop scientists, GIS specialists, remote sensing experts, and computer programmers. They will be responsible for:

  • Conducting fieldwork using UAVs (drones) to capture high-resolution imagery and environmental data
  • Processing and analyzing large-scale remote sensing datasets from UAV, satellite, and ground-based sensors
  • Leveraging artificial intelligence, e.g. machine learning, reinforcement learning to develop data-driven, space-time explicit precision agronomic solutions
  • Utilizing high-performance computing (HPC) systems for large-scale geospatial data processing, model training, and validation
  • Designing and managing scalable ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) pipelines to integrate multi-source, multimodal datasets
  • Applying big-data analytic, including spatio-temporal modeling and deep learning techniques
  • Collaborating with an interdisciplinary team of soil scientists, agronomists, and computer scientists
  • Presenting research findings at national and international conferences and contributing to peer-reviewed publications
  • Being part of the new Nutrien Centre for Digital and Sustainable Agriculture

Education: Ph.D. in Plant Science, Environmental Science, Soil Science, Geography, Bioresources, Computer Science, or related discipline

Licenses:
A valid class 5 driver’s license is a necessity.

Experience:
The candidate should have extensive experience in handling big geospatial datasets, remote sensing, and quantitative research techniques. Strong scientific communication and writing skills are essential. Additionally, the candidate must demonstrate the ability to work independently while collaborating effectively within a team.

Skills:
Expertise in varying disciplines, with strong proficiency in programming languages such as R, Python or Javascript is required. Experience in big data analytics and deep learning using time series analysis and spatial interpolation of landscape features in the Canadian Prairie would be considered an asset.

To Apply:
All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority. The University of Saskatchewan is committed to the principles of employment equity. The University encourages applications from qualified Aboriginal people, persons with a disability, racially visible persons, and women.

Please send your curriculum vitae, cover letter, academic transcripts, degree certificate(s), and contact information for two referees to:

Dr. Kwabena Nketia
Subject: PDF Opportunities – Digital Ag
Email: Kwabena.nketia@usask.ca

Department: Plant Sciences
Location: Saskatoon
Employment Type: Term
Employment Group: Post-Doctoral Fellows - PSAC
Full Time Equivalent (FTE): 1.0
Salary Information: The starting salary will be commensurate with education and experience.
Posted Date: June 30, 2025
Closing Date: Until filled
Number of Openings:
1

Work Location: On Campus

The University is committed to employment equity, diversity, and inclusion, and are 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. 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 strengthening 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.