Assistant Professor and Strategic Research Program Chair in Soils and Environment

University of Saskatchewan

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 conducts research that addresses issues related to nutrient cycling & cropping systems, environmental agronomy, and biological management, with a focus on the interaction between agriculture and the environment and the goal of providing solutions for Saskatchewan producers that support sustainable land management while helping deliver on the province’s 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. They will also participate in the Department’s undergraduate and graduate teaching program, and mentor graduate and postdoctoral students. 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 analysis 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. Established in 1986, the SRP Chair–Soil Biogeochemical Processes is a tenure-track-equivalent, “Continuing Status” position—defined as a permanent position supported by and dependent upon funds external to the Operating Budget of the University—and a member of the bargaining unit represented by the University of Saskatchewan Faculty Association (USFA).

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 July 15, 2025, however, applications will be accepted until August 1, 2025. The anticipated start date is September 1, 2025 or as soon thereafter as possible.
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.