Research Technician – Integrated Agronomy, Plant Sciences

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

Job summary

A leading university is seeking a Junior Research Technician in Integrated Agronomy to assist in field research projects. The role involves operating agricultural equipment, coordinating research activities, and ensuring data collection is timely. Applicants should have a relevant bachelor's degree and experience with farm equipment. This position offers a dynamic work environment focused on sustainable agricultural practices.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in agronomy, plant science, agricultural biology or related field required.
• Experience in safe operation of farm scale and/or plot scale equipment.
• Registered as a Professional Agrologist within six months of employment.

Responsibilities

• Assist in implementation of field research projects both on-site and on-farm.
• Operate plot and farm equipment, organize supplies for planting.
• Supervise part-time, seasonal employees and undergraduate interns.

Skills

Attention to Detail

Project Management

Relationship Building

Microsoft Office Suite

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Agronomy

Bachelor's Degree in Plant Science

Bachelor's Degree in Agricultural Biology

Tools

Tractors

Planters

Sprayers

Combine Harvesters

Job description

Research Technician – Integrated Agronomy, Plant Sciences

Primary Purpose:

The Western Grain Research Foundation (WGRF) Research Chair in Integrated Agronomy, led by Dr. Maryse Bourgault, is recruiting a Junior Research Technician. The mission of the WGRF Chair is to conduct interdisciplinary systems-based research to improve the resilience, sustainability and profitability of grain production in Western Canada and semi-arid environments in general. Through collaborations with the existing expertise present at the University of Saskatchewan, as well as engagement with Prairie grain producers and industry partners, the program aims to take a broad look at sustainability issues in cropping systems and how agronomic practices can be developed or adapted to address these issues. The Chair’s objective is to establish both short-term and medium- to long-term agronomic and cropping systems experimentation that is scientifically rigorous, relevant and impactful to grain producers. The main purpose of the position is to assist the Chair and Senior Technician with the coordination and implementation of research projects.

Nature of Work:

The primary responsibilities of the Research Technician will be to assist implementation of field research projects for the Integrated Agronomy group both on-site and on-farm. This includes operating plot and farm equipment, organizing supplies for planting, data collection, and generally coordinating several projects at once. Other duties include, but are not limited to, supervision of part-time, seasonal employees, undergraduate interns, assistance with supervising graduate students, keeping laboratory spaces clean and organized, and assistance with laboratory procedures.

Because of the importance of timely data collection, work during evenings and weekends may be required, especially during the growing season (May to September). Occasional travel to off-station sites may also necessitate extended hours and/or overnight travel.

Typical Duties or Accountabilities:

• General setup and maintenance of research plots: marking trip lines, driving tractor during planting, operating pesticide sprayers, operating mower around research plots.

• Plot harvest with plot combine harvester.

• Processing of samples according to scientific protocols.

• Application of treatments, sampling, data collection, compilation and curation, including recording meta-data on experiments.

• General maintenance of research equipment, field and laboratory.

• General organization and coordination between projects.

• Maintenance of update of documentation on safe operating procedures and data management processes.

• Support for other field research projects as required.

• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education:

A bachelor’s degree in agronomy, plant science, agricultural biology or related field.

Licenses:

• Must possess a valid Saskatchewan drivers’ license or Canadian equivalent; a class G license will be considered an asset.

• Be registered as a Professional Agrologist (PAg), Technical Agrologist (TechAg) or Articling Agrologist (AAg/ATechAg) with the Saskatchewan Institute of Agrologist, within six months of the start of employment.

Experience:

The successful candidate has:

• Experience in the safe operation of farm scale and/or plot scale equipment such as tractors, planters, sprayers, mowers, and combine harvesters.

• Experience in a small-plot field research context will be considered an asset.

• Experience with safety processes and procedures.

Skills:

• Demonstrated attention to details.

• Demonstrated ability to carry on several projects at once.

• Demonstrated ability to create and foster relationships with people of diverse backgrounds and education levels.

• Demonstrated ability to use Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Teams, etc.).

To Apply: Applications will only be accepted online at careers.usask.ca and must include a cover letter, a statement addressing qualifications, and resume, and be submitted as a single PDF document. The statement addressing qualifications must address each and every one of the qualifications listed in the above sections on education, licenses, experience and skills. We also strongly encourage providing specific examples of actions or behaviors to demonstrate experience or skill. A typical comprehensive statement addressing qualifications is 2 to 4 pages in length. The use of subtitles is strongly recommended. Applications that fail to provide all of the information required will be considered incomplete and will not be assessed.

Inquiries regarding this position can be directed to Dr. Maryse Bourgault ([e-mail]).

Department: Plant Sciences
Status: Term
Employment Group: Research Positions - Non-union
Full Time Equivalent (FTE): 1.0
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 Family (if applicable):
Salary Phase/Band: Phase 4
Posted Date: 5/13/2025
Closing Date: 5/26/2025 at 6:00 pm CST
Number of Openings: 1
Work Location: On Campus

The successful applicant will be required to provide the following current verification(s) where 'Yes' is indicated below. Further information is available at: https://careers.usask.ca/tips-for-applying.php

The University is committed to employment equity, diversity, and inclusion, and are proud to support career opportunities for Indigenous peoples to reflect the community we serve. We are dedicated to recruiting individuals who will enrich our work and learning environments. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, in accordance with Canadian immigration requirements, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority. We are committed to providing accommodations to those with a disability or medical necessity. If you require an accommodation to participate in the recruitment process, please notify us and we will work together on the accommodation request. 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 thedeybwewin | taapwaywin | tapwewin: Indigenous Truth policy and 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’s main campus is situated on Treaty 6 Territory and the Homeland of the Métis. We pay our respects to the First Nations and Métis ancestors of this place and reaffirm our relationship with one another. Together, we are uplifting Indigenization to a place of prominence at the University of Saskatchewan.