THESIS OPPORTUNITY: Evaluating and modeling the benefits to soil health of extending the duration of grasslands in perennial forage based-crop rotations in Quebec.
The overall objective of this project is to assess the agronomic, economic, and ecosystem benefits associated with extending
the duration of grasslands in perennial forage crop rotations in Quebec. Considering the spatial heterogeneity and diversity
of forage production operations and soils, we seek to demonstrate the crucial role of rotational pastures in providing
ecosystem services.
More specifically, the PhD candidate will work on the following sub-objectives:
• Evaluate the effect of the duration of grasslands in the rotation on the level of carbon stored;
• Evaluate soil health based on the duration of grasslands in the rotation;
• Characterize the stable fraction of soil carbon in forage crop rotations;
• Integrate a simulation of carbon storage and emissions based on soil properties and climate change.
Start date: January 2027
Funding: The selected candidate will receive a grant of $25,000 per year for three years. Financial support for attending
conferences and meetings is provided.
Team: The doctoral program will be supervised by Stéphanie Lavergne, Ph.D., Vincent Poirier, Ph.D., and Marie-Noëlle
Thivierge, Ph.D.
Qualifications:
The successful candidate must be in the process of completing a master’s degree in agriculture, soil science, environmental
science, or any other related field. They must demonstrate intellectual rigor, attention to detail, independence, and
organizationalskills, as well as an interest in research. The candidate should be dynamic, considerate, and able to adapt easily
to new environments. The successful candidate will be required to apply to the tailor-made doctorate program in agriculture
(1482) at UQAT and will be supported by the professor in this process.
CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL POSTING
Assistant or Associate Professor – Cereal and Flax Crop Pathologist
The Crop Development Centre (CDC), Department of Plant Sciences at the University of Saskatchewan (USask) invites applications for a crop pathologist to work on small grain cereal (wheat species, barley, oat, canary seed; 85% activity) and flax (15% of activity). This position is considered continuing status (tenure-track-equivalent) and will be hired at either the assistant or associate professor level, depending on qualifications and experiences.
The successful candidate will assume a well established and productive cereal and flax pathology program. They will develop a world-class, externally funded field-based research program with focus on cereal and flax pathology. The position will integrate applied research (e.g., identification and deployment of host resistance) with fundamental research (e.g., the biology of fungal and bacterial pathogens and their interactions with host plants) to advance breeding and disease‑management strategies for cereal and flax crops.The appointee will be expected to teach at the undergraduate and/or graduate level in the Department of Plant Sciences and will be required to supervise M.Sc. and Ph.D. students and mentor post-graduate fellows. Outreach duties will be a requirement of the position.
Appointment to this position will require a Ph.D. in field-based plant pathology, genetics of plant disease resistance, and a demonstrated understanding of plant breeding and crop improvement.
Applications, including an up-to-date CV; statement of research; academic transcripts; and contact information for three referees, should be submitted in a single PDF file as an Email attachment to Dr. Curtis J. Pozniak, Director, Crop Development Centre, University of Saskatchewan, 51 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, SK, Canada S7N 5A8. Email: [email protected]
For best consideration, applications should be received by April 15, 2026.
CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL JOB POSTING
Assistant or Associate Professor – Pulse Crop Breeder
The Crop Development Centre (CDC), Department of Plant Sciences at the University of Saskatchewan (USask) invites applications for a pulse crop plant breeder to work on field pea. This position is considered continuing status (tenure-track-equivalent) and will be hired at either the assistant or associate professor level, depending on qualifications and experiences.
The successful candidate will assume and maintain a well established and productive breeding program involving field pea. The plant breeder will develop and release improved varieties to serve the needs of western Canadian agriculture, teach at the undergraduate and/or graduate level in the Department of Plant Sciences and will be required to supervise M.Sc. and Ph.D. students and mentor post-graduate fellows. The candidate will also be expected to perform outreach. The plant breeder will integrate conventional and modern tools and technologies to develop innovative approaches to achieving the goals of the program. In addition, the individual will be expected to establish a competitive and extramurally funded research program with a focus on field pea improvement. The plant breeder will complement breeding activities with genetic or related scholarly work in agronomy, biotic and abiotic stress tolerances, and/or quality traits and is expected to publish the research findings in leading peer-reviewed journals. Collaboration with local, national and international programs is expected.
Appointment to the position will require a Ph.D. in plant breeding, genetics, or related discipline and demonstrated experience and/or a proven understanding of plant breeding and crop improvement.
Applications, including an up-to-date CV, statement of research, academic transcripts, and contact information for three referees, should be submitted as a single PDF file to Dr. Curtis J. Pozniak, Director, Crop Development Centre, University of Saskatchewan, 51 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, SK, Canada S7N 5A8. Email: [email protected]
For best consideration, applications should be received by April 15, 2026.
CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL JOB POSTING
Assistant Professor in Soil Physics
Applications are invited from qualified individuals for a full-time position as Assistant Professor in Soil Physics. 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 chosen candidate will conduct research and teaching that addresses issues related to Soil Physics, with a focus on the interaction between water and soils in agricultural, forest, or resource-extraction environments. The goal is to provide solutions to stakeholders in key industries that support sustainable land management relevant to Western Canada, while helping deliver on the province’s climate change strategy.
Candidates should have completed a Ph.D. in an appropriate discipline, such as Soil Science, Hydrology, Water Engineering, or a related science. 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 2026-2027 academic year are as follows: Assistant Professor: $113,527 to $135,535. 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 is a permanent position supported by and dependent upon funds of the College, and the chosen candidate will become 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: [email protected]
CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL JOB POSTING
