Primary Purpose:
To lead remote sensing research that quantifies the impacts of beaver foraging on vegetation structure and aboveground carbon stocks in montane peatlands, and to generate new insights that support climate adaptation strategies and ecosystem-based management. This work is part of the Global Water Futures Observatories (GWFO) program, Canada’s premier freshwater research network.
Nature of Work:
The postdoctoral fellow will report to the Principal Investigator (PI) in the Department of Geography and Planning and work closely with graduate students and collaborators as part of an interdisciplinary research team. The position is based at the University of Saskatchewan and will involve a mix of independent data analysis, collaborative research activities, and manuscript preparation. The work requires a high level of judgment, scientific initiative, and technical skill in geospatial data processing, as well as the ability to manage multiple deadlines and prioritize tasks. The successful candidate will be expected to contribute to scientific publications and project deliverables with minimal day-to-day supervision. Occasional travel may be required for field site visits, team meetings, and conferences. The pace of work may vary depending on project cycles but will generally follow standard working hours with flexibility based on research needs. The position offers opportunities for networking and scientific engagement through the GWFO program, which provides access to long-term datasets, instrumentation, and cross-disciplinary expertise.
Accountabilities:
- Analyze multi-year UAV RGB and LiDAR datasets to develop an approach for detecting fine-scale ecosystem engineering of shrubs by beavers
- Estimate aboveground carbon stock losses associated with beaver herbivory
- Identify spatial and temporal patterns of foraging activity across the landscape
- Lead publication of research findings in peer-reviewed journals
- Contribute to mentoring of early career researchers as part of an interdisciplinary team
Education:
A PhD in ecology, remote sensing, environmental sciences, or a related field is required at the time of appointment.
Experience:
The ideal candidate will have a track record of working independently on complex geospatial or remote sensing projects and contributing to peer-reviewed publications. Experience processing UAV-based imagery (RGB, LiDAR), conducting vegetation or carbon assessments, or working in wetland or peatland environments will be considered strong assets. The ability to design spatial analyses, troubleshoot data challenges, and synthesize results for both academic and applied audiences is essential.
Skills:
- Strong quantitative skills, including data management, statistical analysis, geospatial analysis, and ecological data analysis
- Demonstrated expertise in remote sensing (preferably UAV-based)
- Proficiency with tools such as Pix4D, QGIS/ArcGIS, and R or Python
- Strong writing skills and a track record of peer-reviewed publication
- Excellent oral and written communication skills in English
- Interest or experience in wetland ecology, beaver-ecosystem interactions, or peatland dynamics is an asset but not required
To Apply:
Interested applicants must include the following in their application, collated into a single PDF document:
- A cover letter outlining your relevant experience and interest in the position
- A CV including publication record and description of your contribution to each publication
- Names and contact information for two academic referees
For more information, contact Prof. Cherie Westbrook cherie.westbrook@usask.ca
Review of applicants will begin August 15, 2025. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews in late August.
Department: Geography and Planning
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: 7/11/2025
Number of Openings: 1
Work Location: May be eligible for hybrid work under the terms of USask's Alternative Workspace Guidelines