This position includes a comprehensive benefits package which 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.
Required Education:
Doctorate
Internal Number: req11080
The Department of Plant Sciences at the University of Saskatchewan (USask) invites applications for a Chair in lentil and faba bean breeding. This is a continuing status (tenure-track) position at the Assistant Professor level in plant breeding and crop genetics, and which will be housed within the Crop Development Centre (CDC). The successful candidate will assume a well-established and productive breeding program that to date has released 40 lentil and 5 faba bean varieties. The primary focus of the position will be on lentil breeding, and secondarily on faba bean breeding. The plant breeder will develop and release improved varieties to serve the needs of western Canadian agriculture and perform related outreach duties as required. It is expected that the successful candidate will integrate conventional and modern breeding tools and technologies to develop innovative approaches to achieving the goals of the program, including establishing a competitive and extramurally funded research program. Some of the research conducted should be eligible for Government of Canada Tri-Council funding. Collaboration with local, national, and international programs and stakeholders is expected. Research should complement the breeding program with studies in related disciplines, which could include genomics, phenomics, agronomy, biotic and abiotic stress tolerance, and seed quality, with the findings published in leading peer-reviewed journals. The appointee will also 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.
Salary bands for this position for the 2023-2024 academic year are as follows: Assistant Professor: $99,945 to $120,101. This position includes a comprehensive benefits package which 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.
QUALIFICATIONS
This position requires a Ph.D. in plant breeding and genetics, or a closely related discipline, and a demonstrated understanding of plant breeding and crop improvement. The candidate must have excellent communication skills and show potential to participate in outreach activities aimed at lentil and faba bean producers. Expected outreach activities could include engagement with producers, industry and government, participation on industry committees and advisory boards, and participation in technology transfer and variety commercialization. At least one year of post-doctoral experience relevant to the position, with a demonstrated record of excellence in research and teaching is preferred. Candidates should be eligible for membership in the Saskatchewan Institute of Agrologists (https://sia.sk.ca/). A proven track record of publications coupled with excellent interpersonal skills, and an ability to establish effective trust-based working relationships are considered essential. The successful candidate will possess a high level of collegiality and professionalism both within the department and beyond. The position will require the candidate to work independently, but also effectively with support staff and as part of collaborative and multi-disciplinary teams. The successful candidate is expected to have an understanding and commitment to enhancing equity, diversity, and inclusion.
The University of Saskatchewan (USask) is located in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada on the banks of the South Saskatchewan River, a city with a diverse and thriving economic base, a vibrant arts community and a full range of leisure activities. The University has a reputation for excellence in teaching, research and scholarly activities and is a member of the U15 Group of Canadian Universities. It offers a full range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs to a student population of about 20,000. Over the next decade, the USask will work to becoming one of the top 10 medical-doctoral universities in Canada and one of a select few internationally in key areas - including Agriculture, one of the Universities Signature Areas of Research.
The College of Agriculture and Bioresources is an international leader in applied research and scholarship with expertise in, and integrated across, three primary scientific and social domains; food and bioproduct sciences; environment, ecology and community; and sustainable production systems. It a 110-year reputation for teaching, research, and outreach and is a strength for the University of Saskatchewan. The College has played a pivotal role in the development of sustainable agriculture and food industries in Saskatchewan and continues its mission to advance the responsible use of land, water and bioresources to provide products and services that enhance the quality of life for the people of Saskatchewan and around the world. Our faculty is committed to providing an exceptional learning experience and preparing graduates for leadership in the new bio-economy.
The Department of Plant Sciences is one of the largest departments on campus with a mandate to advance teaching, research and outreach related to the development, production and management of field and horticulture crops and to the management of non-arable grasslands on the Canadian prairies. The department is currently composed of 27 faculty members. Within the department, the Crop Development Centre includes eight faculty and associated technical and administrative staff and graduate students. To support its research activities, the department employs 72 term research associates and post-doctoral fellows, and well over 116 support staff. It has access to a land base of >1,450 hectares; 1,200 m2. of greenhouse space; field laboratories; seed storage areas and a seed cleaning plant; a controlled environment facility; and the Canadian Light Source.
The Crop Development Centre (CDC) is a field crop research organization within the Department of Plant Sciences at the University of Saskatchewan. Focusing on plant breeding and pathology, CDC scientists deploy the latest scientific advances to improve the agronomic and end-use performances of spring wheat, durum, canary seed, barley, oat, flax, field pea, lentil, chickpea, dry bean, faba bean and soybean. Since its inception in 1971, the CDC has released over 500 commercial varieties in over 40 different crop types.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE
Applications, including an up-to-date CV, statement of research, statement on equity, diversity, and inclusion, 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: curtis.pozniak@usask.ca
INFORMATION
The University of Saskatchewan's main campus is situated on Treaty 6 Territory and the Homeland of the Métis. More information about the University of Saskatchewan (www.usask.ca) , College of Agriculture and Bioresources (www.agbio.usask.ca), the Department of Plant Science (www.agbio.usask.ca/departments/plant-sciences.php) and the Crop Development Centre (cdc.usask.ca) can be found online.
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For best consideration, applications should be received by August 25, 2023. The University of Saskatchewan believes equity, diversity, and inclusion strengthen the community and enhance excellence, innovation, and creativity. All members of the university community share a responsibility for developing and maintaining an environment in which differences are valued and inclusiveness is practiced. We are dedicated to recruiting individuals who will enrich our work and learning environments. Women, indigenous people, and other minorities are strongly encouraged to apply. Due to federal immigration requirements, we also ask 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. In accordance with Canadian immigration requirements, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority.
