Primary Purpose: Applicants are invited for the position of Post-Doctoral Fellow to undertake field and conceptual research to advance our understanding and numerical description of mountain snow and glacier hydrological processes in sub-alpine forested basins of the Canadian Rocky Mountains. This will take advantage of the instrumented sites in the Canadian Rockies Hydrological Observatory, drone-based LiDAR remote sensing, hydrological models set up with CRHM, CHM and MESH in the Bow River Basin, high resolution atmospheric models and other information. The overall goal is to further develop process algorithms to improve model realisations in the region in order to improve predictions of future water supply availability under climate change. Specific objectives are to better understand the snow distribution and melt processes governing runoff generation; and the impacts of land cover change on snow processes, water storage and transmission.
Nature of Work: The successful candidate will conduct research in the USask Centre for Hydrology’s Coldwater Laboratory in Canmore, Alberta, Canada. The PDF will contribute to field observations, process research and model development, testing and analysis. This is a contribution to an Alberta Innovates subproject at USask – “Managing and Predicting the Impacts of Mountain Forests, Water Storage and Climate Change on Downstream Water Supplies”. This also contributes to the UNESCO Chair in Mountain Water Sustainability and the Canada Research Chair in Water Resources and Climate Change. 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. It contributes to the USask Global Institute for Water Security, the top ranked water resources research institute in Canada and in the top 20 globally. This study is part of a close collaboration with the Dr. C. Westbrook of the Centre for Hydrology for ecohydrological research, the University of Calgary (Dr. A. Pietroniro, Dr. M. Clark, Dr. M. Hayashi) for groundwater and modelling research and with University of Waterloo (Dr. R. Petrone) for evapotranspiration research.
Accountabilities:
- The PDF will report directly to Prof. John Pomeroy.
- Work with minimal supervision, multi-task, and prioritize workload.
- Conduct field and modelling studies that advance the science and practice of snow hydrology
- 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 change 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, or a related discipline. Experience in cold regions hydrology or water resources engineering and ability to travel and work in remote mountain environments is highly desired.
Skills:
- In-depth knowledge of hydrological and water resources principles and modelling with knowledge of cold regions hydrology.
- Experience handling large and heterogeneous geophysical datasets including research basin observations, LiDAR and drone imagery, and field data collection.
- Experience in programming with C/C++ and R for algorithm testing.
- Ability to travel safely and competently over snow in remote mountain environments and access logistically challenging field sites.
- Experience in snow surveying, snowpit measurements, automatic weather station design and operation.
- Experience and dedication to open science.
- 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).
To Apply: Interested applicants must include the following in their application: cover letter, curriculum vitae, 3 references and a publication from their previous research work showcasing their skills relevant to this posting.
Inquiries regarding this position can be directed to joni.onclin@usask.ca
Department: Geography and Planning
Status: Term
Employment Group: Post-Doctoral Fellows – PSAC
Full Time Equivalent (FTE): 1.0
Salary Information: The starting salary will be commensurate with education and experience.
Posted Date: 10/16/2023
Closing Date: 2 Weeks. 10/30/2023
Number of Openings: 1
Work Location: On Campus
