Research Technician (Canadian Rocky Mountains), Geography and Planning

University of Saskatchewan; Saskatoon; On-site; CAD 30,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading Canadian university is seeking a Research Technician to support monitoring in hydrological observatories. The role involves organizing fieldwork in the Canadian Rockies, managing scientific equipment, and ensuring data quality. The ideal candidate holds a degree in environmental sciences or engineering and has experience with field operations. This full-time, term position offers a competitive hourly salary based on experience.

Qualifications

• Completion of a post-secondary degree in physical environmental sciences or engineering.
• Experience with hydrometeorological data retrieval and operation.
• Ability to work independently and supervise field teams.

Responsibilities

• Organize and conduct fieldwork for the hydrological observatory.
• Maintain field equipment and keep accurate records.
• Train research staff and students on proper techniques.

Skills

Hydrometeorological fieldwork

Quality assurance and control of hydrometeorological data

Conducting fieldwork

Supervising staff and students

Computer programming

Operating ATVs and snowmobiles

Managing meteorological sensors

Effective communication

Education

Post-secondary degree in physical environmental sciences or engineering

Tools

Campbell Scientific dataloggers

Remote telemetry systems

Windows-based computers

Job description

Overview

Primary Purpose: The Centre for Hydrology at the University of Saskatchewan is seeking a Research Technician to support monitoring in the Global Water Futures Observatories research projects. This position is based at the USask Coldwater Laboratory, Canmore, Alberta with work primarily conducted in the Canadian Rocky Mountains. This will be a full-time, term position with a targeted start date of October 1, 2025. Starting salary is commensurate with abilities and experience.

Responsibilities

• Organizing and conducting field work for the Canadian Rockies Hydrological Observatory of the Global Water Futures Observatories;
• Keeping orderly and accessible records of field equipment, experimental field notes and records, experimental plans;
• Managing and maintaining GWFO laboratories, field sites, and vehicles;
• Purchasing, and maintaining scientific equipment for field and laboratory studies;
• Assisting with annual reporting of GWFO;
• Organizing, archiving, updating, graphing and QA/QC scientific data;
• Contributing to the communications and visibility of the Coldwater Laboratory, GWFO, experiments, personnel and students;
• Training research staff and students as to proper experimental techniques, protocols and activities, and safety in mountains and on glaciers; and
• Other duties specified by Professor Pomeroy.

Education

Education: Completion of a post-secondary degree (BSc or higher) in physical environmental sciences or engineering with a specialization in hydrological or related sciences.

Experience

Required Experience you bring: hydrometeorological fieldwork; retrieving data from field dataloggers; quality assurance and control of hydrometeorological data; computer programming, operating ATVs, snowmobiles and driving/towing with a 4x4 truck; working on up to 20 m meteorological towers; logistics and safety in wilderness outdoor operations; glacier travel and rescue, backcountry skiing, and high mountain travel.

Skills

• organize fieldwork to meet scientific goals and objectives in a cost effective, quality assured manner.
• work independently with a minimum of supervision;
• supervise staff and students in the field;
• maintain meteorological, snow and hydrological sensors and mechanical equipment including trucks and snowmobiles;
• manage observed and telemetered data on Windows-based computers using various data retrieval and database programs;
• program and retrieve field data from Campbell Scientific dataloggers and remote telemetry systems; and
• snowshoe, backcountry ski, travel on glaciers, travel in avalanche zones safely and work outdoors for long days in adverse conditions in the Canadian Rocky Mountains.
• communicate regularly with researchers part of the Global Water Futures Observatories team.

Personal Suitability

Must demonstrate effective interpersonal relationships, reliability, integrity, alertness, physical fitness and cooperativeness. Must display initiative and good judgement in decision-making and capability to troubleshoot complex measurement systems in the field.

Conditions of Work

Applicants must hold a valid full driver’s license and be able to operate various types of vehicles. Valid First Aid and CPR certificate required. Comfortable working in remote wilderness environments, utilizing mountaineering expertise and tower climbing experience preferred but not required.

Department

Geography and Planning

Status

Term 6 months with the possibility of extension

Employment Group

Research Positions - Non-union

Full Time Equivalent (FTE)

1

Salary

The salary range, based on 1.0 FTE, is $31.39 - 43.96 per hour. The starting salary will be commensurate with education and experience.

Salary Band

Salary Band 7

Posted Date

9/10/2025

Closing Date

10/7/2025

Number of Openings

1

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

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: 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 Human Resources for assistance.