Junior Research Technician, Soil Science Central Laboratory

University of Saskatchewan; Saskatoon; On-site; CAD 21,000 - 30,000; Part time

Job summary

University of Saskatchewan seeks a Soil Science Technician to support day-to-day operations of the Soil Science Central Laboratory. You will assist in sample analyses, train graduate students, and run analyses with faculty.

You will ensure QA/QC, maintain safety, manage chemicals, and handle sample archiving and inventory while collaborating with staff, students, and external users. This is a 0.5 FTE, 6-month term on-site position.

Qualifications

• Experience with soil/plant analysis and related analytical devices.
• Ability to operate laboratory instruments and maintain instruments.
• Strong written and verbal English communication; teamwork.

Responsibilities

• Assist day-to-day operations of the Soil Science Central Laboratory.
• Guide graduate students to achieve sample processing and analysis.
• Operate laboratory instruments to conduct sample analyses.
• Interact with external clients and students to aid timely analysis.
• Follow SOPs and implement QA/QC procedures.
• Support safety, inventory, and sample tracking activities.

Skills

Soil analysis knowledge

Analytical equipment operation

MS Office proficiency

Communication

Team collaboration

Tools

LIMS

Job description

Primary Purpose: The Soil Science Central Laboratory (SSCL) supports research activities in the Department of Soil Science and, more broadly, the College of Agriculture & Bioresources. The SSCL Technician will support the day-to-day operations of the SSCL and provide technical assistance in the areas of soil, plant, and other sample analyses; run samples in conjunction with faculty and assist in training graduate students in the operation of the SSCL’s equipment.

Nature of Work: Reporting to the Department Head, the Technician assists with the operation of the Soil Science Central Laboratory. The Technician provides a mix of routine and non-routine scientific technical support services to the department faculty, their graduate students, and external users.

The Technician works as part of the bigger Departmental team stewarding sample analyses toward common research goals. The Technician maintains a good collaborative working relationship with all faculty, staff, and students. The Technician will also be tasked with sample archivism and consumables inventory; for example, tracking the number and type of incoming and outgoing samples and their results and providing users with reliable timelines and quality assurance when running samples.

Typical Duties or Accountabilities:

• Assist in day-to-day operations of the Soil Science Central Laboratory.
• Provide guidance to graduate students to achieve sample processing and analysis.
• Operate laboratory instruments to conduct sample analysis.
• Work with students, external clients, and visitors to aid timely analysis of their samples.
• Follow standard operating procedures (SOP’s) for existing and new technical instruments and/or new analyses.
• Implement QA/QC procedures and report results to the Equipment Committee.
• Actively work to ensure and maintain laboratory safety.
• Supply management: maintain an up-to-date chemical inventory, manage chemical waste (including temporary storage and disposal).

Education: A degree or formal education in chemical or environmental analysis. Demonstrated experience using analytical equipment and associated basic analytical devices to perform environmental or chemical analysis on soil and/or plant samples. Experience and knowledge of equipment maintenance and laboratory information management systems (LIMS) is an asset.

Licenses:

• WHMIS Certificate
• General Laboratory Safety
• U of S Safety Training for new Employees

Skills: Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and ability to relate effectively with other staff and students; effective written and oral English communication skills; ability to prioritize and organize time effectively; proven capacity to work independently and in a team setting; detail-oriented and able to perform repetitive tasks accurately and consistently; strong critical-thinking and problem-solving skills for troubleshooting laboratory instruments. Knowledge of soil and plant analysis is required. Technical requirements include proficiency with operating scientific equipment, basic computer skills (including competency with Microsoft Office Suite), and good working knowledge of laboratory procedures and safety protocols.

Inquiries regarding this position can be directed to Bobbi Helgason at 306-966-8151.

Department: Soil Science

Status: Term 6 months with the possibility of extension

Employment Group: Research Positions - Non-union

Full Time Equivalent (FTE): 0.5

Salary: The salary range, based on 1.0 FTE, is $20.37 - 28.52 per hour. The starting salary will be commensurate with education and experience.

Salary Phase/Band: Salary Band 4

Posted Date: 9/9/2026

Closing Date: 9/16/2026

Number of Openings: 1

Work Location: On Site

The University of Saskatchewan aspires to be what the world needs and embraces equity, diversity and inclusion as foundational to excellence and innovation. We actively seek to create a welcoming environment where all individuals feel empowered to thrive, contribute, and grow. Applications from equity-deserving groups are encouraged as part of our ongoing efforts to reflect the diversity of the communities we serve: EDI Framework for Action.

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 the 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 provides an accessible and inclusive workplace. Should you require support through any stage of the recruitment process, please contact us for assistance.