Description
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.
Soil hydrological processes and water management in soils are and will be the foundation on which landscape production is based and are key to ensuring a sustainable future. One key issue facing landscapes across Canada—including Saskatchewan—is climate change, and recognizing the interactive role that soils can play in sequestering carbon and reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the context of current and future mitigation strategies is a key element of soil physics. Thus, the successful candidate will be responsible for inter-disciplinary research that focuses on the interactions between water and soil processes affecting productivity and resiliency. The successful candidate will be asked to take a lead with industry stakeholders as well as teach in the Soil Science, Environmental Science and Renewable Resource Management degree programs and other associated certificates and degrees within the College of Agriculture and Bioresources. The position involves basic and applied research, with focus on field-based studies that will help inform land management with best practices that maximize the ability to balance environmental interactions, and increase water use efficiency, while maintaining or enhancing agricultural productivity and ecosystem health.
The successful candidate will be expected to interact with producers, producer groups, and industry stakeholders to identify and/or develop soil management strategies that lead to a robust, sustainable land base in Western Canada. The successful applicant also will participate in the Department’s undergraduate and graduate teaching program, and mentor graduate students and postdoctoral researchers. A balance of teaching, service, and research, as well as engaging with external communities will encompass the majority of their time. The teaching of specific courses—namely EVSC 210: Environmental Physics and SLSC 322: Environmental Soil Physics—is considered essential. The ability to teach other classes within the candidate’s area of expertise and the current framework of the Department will also be perceived favourably. 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. This may include the Nutrien Centre for Sustainable and Digital Agriculture (NCSDA), Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada, the Global Institute for Water Security (GIWS), and across the University of Saskatchewan campus (e.g., Plant Sciences, School of Environment and Sustainability, Global Institute for Food Security (GIFS), Canadian Light Source, Saskatchewan Cyclotron Facility, etc.). Key stakeholders 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 including IRMS systems for the analysis of stable isotopes of water (2H, 18O), nitrogen (15N) and carbon (13C), the MOST facility, and many other facilities within the Department, as well as computer services within the University.
The University of Saskatchewan’s main campus is situated on Treaty 6 Territory and the Homeland of the Métis. The University of Saskatchewan is located in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, a city with a diverse and thriving economic base, a vibrant arts community, and a full range of leisure opportunities. The University has a reputation for excellence in teaching, research and scholarly activities and offers a full range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs to a student population of over 26,000. USask currently leads Canada in water research, and has high international rankings in the subject internationally.
Requirements
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: 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.
Deadlines for applications will close on March 11, 2026, with evaluation of applications beginning immediately. The anticipated start date is July 1, 2026 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.
