Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Snow and Ice Hydrology (Canmore, AB)

University of Saskatchewan; Saskatoon; On-site; CAD 52,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Saskatchewan is seeking a Post-Doctoral Fellow to advance a land surface hydrology-cryosphere model in the Canadian Rockies, using observational data from the Canadian Rockies Hydrological Observatory and remote sensing products. The role involves evaluating model performance, diagnosing deficiencies, and comparing with CRHM, CHM, and MESH models.

Under Distinguished Professor John Pomeroy, you will contribute to the MountAInWater Project within the Coldwater Laboratory in Canmore,

Qualifications

• PhD completed in a relevant discipline within the last 5 years.
• Strong background in cold regions hydrology or related computational methods.
• Ability to conduct fieldwork and collect hydrological observations in harsh environments.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research under guidance of the PI to apply and evaluate a land surface hydrology-cryosphere model.
• Compare model outputs to observations and other Canadian models (CRHM, CHM, MESH).
• Mentor graduate students and collaborate with the team in Canmore and Banff area.

Skills

Hydrology principles

Geophysical data handling

Python

R

High performance computing

C/C++/Fortran

Software engineering best practices

Open science

Fieldwork in cold regions

Communicating in English

Mentoring / leadership

Science communication

Time management

Education

PhD in hydrology / water resources / environmental earth science / geography / atmospheric science

Tools

Git version control

Profilers / Debuggers

CRHM / CHM / MESH models

Remote sensing data processing

Job description

Primary Purpose: Applicants are invited for the position of Post-Doctoral Fellow to undertake research to apply a new land surface hydrological model in the Canadian Rockies and evaluate its representation of snow and glacier physical processes and ability to predict cold regions hydrology. The researcher will use the observations from the Canadian Rockies Hydrological Observatory of Global Water Futures Observatories and remote sensing products to evaluate model performance and diagnose deficiencies. Comparisons to model predictions using the Cold Regions Hydrological Model, Canadian Hydrological Model and MESH model will be made. Model diagnostics will be used to identify hydrological change and cryospheric tipping points in headwater river basins of the Canadian Rockies. This research is part of the MountAInWater Project of the Virtual Institute for Earth’s Water.

Nature of Work: The successful candidate will conduct research under the direction of Distinguished Professor John Pomeroy in the USask Centre for Hydrology’s Coldwater Laboratory in Canmore, Alberta as a contribution to of the MountAInWater Project of the Virtual Institute for Earth's Water – a program funded by Schmidt Sciences that is headquartered at ISTA in Austria. The candidate will evaluate and apply the Thethys-Chloris land surface hydrology-cryosphere model and evaluate its process representation against field and remote sensing observations in the Canadian Rockies, compare its simulations to Canadian models such as CRHM, CHM and MESH and diagnose model improvements and tipping points in cryospheric-hydrological system behaviour in the region. There will be opportunities to participate in fieldwork in the Canadian Rockies Hydrological Observatory at its 40 sites in Banff and Jasper National Parks and Kananaskis Country parks. This is the most intensely monitored mountain environment in Canada including research basins on glaciers, tundra, forests and wetlands.

The Centre for Hydrology is the premier research group for cold regions hydrology in Canada and is known around the world for advances in snow, glacier and frozen ground hydrology and modelling www.usask.ca/hydrology . The work will be based out of its Coldwater Laboratory in Canmore, Alberta. The Coldwater Lab has scientists, technicians, students and professors devoted to better measuring, predicting and understanding mountain cryospheric hydrology. It contributes to the USask Global Institute for Water Security, the top ranked water resources research institute in Canada, and contributes to the World Climate Research Programme’s GEWEX and the UN’s Decade of Action for Cryospheric Sciences.

Accountabilities:

• The PDF will report directly to Prof. John Pomeroy.
• Work with minimal supervision, multi-task, and prioritize workload.
• Conduct studies that advance the science and practice of hydrological-cryospheric modeling.
• Prepare drafts of papers and reports as necessary.
• Mentor graduate students and junior colleagues as necessary.
• Establish and maintain effective, productive relationships with staff, peers, immediate supervisor and senior management and with the campus community.
• Manage own time effectively and ensure the managers are kept informed of activities, and progress of work.
• Provide technical support for other team members through technical advice.
• Recommend changes to processes or procedures.
• Must be open to learning and development and be willing to accept new challenges and assignments.

Education:

The successful candidate will have completed a PhD in a relevant discipline such as hydrology, water resources, civil or agricultural engineering, environmental earth science, physical geography or atmospheric science, within the last 5 years.

Experience:

The PDF will have knowledge either in hydrology, water resources engineering, physical geography, environmental earth science, computer science, data science, atmospheric physics, or a related discipline. Experience in cold regions hydrology or water resources engineering and computational methods is essential .

Skills:

• In-depth knowledge of hydrological and water resources principles and modelling in cold regions.
• Experience handling large and heterogeneous geophysical datasets including research basin observations and field data collection.
• Strong competence in data preparation/analysis/visualization with Python, R, or a similar scripting and visualization language.
• Experience with high performance computing.
• Strong competence in programming with C/C++ or Fortran for model development & debugging.
• Competence in software engineering best practices such as unit testing, use of modern version control systems, such as git, use of profilers / debuggers, software development etc.
• Experience and dedication to open science.
• Ability to conduct fieldwork and collect hydrological observations in cold remote environments.
• Ability to communicate clearly, concisely, and effectively in both spoken and written English.
• Sharp analytical abilities and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated leadership abilities and record of positive contributions in a team environment.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision, multi-task, and prioritize workload.
• Interest in mentoring junior team members.
• Interest in science communication (e.g., blog posts, social media, and media interviews).

Department: Geography and Planning

Supervisor Job Title: Principal Investigator

Status: Term

Employment Group: Postdoctoral Fellows - PSAC

Full Time Equivalent (FTE): 1.0

Salary Information: The starting salary will be commensurate with education and experience.

Posted Date: 9/2/2026

Closing Date: Open until filled

Number of Openings: 1

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.