Faculty Position in Hydrometeorology and Climate Science

School of Environment and Sustainability and Global Institute for Water Security

The School of Environment and Sustainability (SENS) at the University of Saskatchewan (U of S) invites applications for a full-time tenure-track faculty position at the level of assistant, associate, or full professor. The successful candidate will join a core interdisciplinary science and modelling team to support the development of a $30-million research programme in the University’s Global Institute for Water Security led by Canada Excellence Research Chair (CERC) in Water Security, Howard Wheater. This exciting initiative builds on a long history of national leadership in hydrology, aquatic toxicology and other water-related expertise at the U of S that includes more than 70 faculty and 5 research chairs, and world-class facilities such as the Centre for Hydrology, the Toxicology Centre, and the Canadian Light Source synchrotron.

This new appointment is envisaged in the area of hydrometeorology and climate science focusing on: coupled land-atmosphere modelling, including land-surface system model development, data assimilation methods, and the analysis and modelling of hydrological extremes. One of the CERC priorities is to build on the cold regions hydrology expertise at the U of S and Environment Canada in order to improve the coupled modelling of land-atmosphere interactions and processes in the context of climate variability and change. Experimental resources will include a set of highly instrumented sites for real-time monitoring of snow, water, energy, and carbon fluxes. Modelling resources envisaged include a parallel-processing computer facility and access to numerical weather prediction, and regional and global climate models. Improved understanding and representation of hydrological extremes and cold regions feedbacks to the atmosphere are priorities. It is envisaged that close collaboration will be established with the international World Climate Research Program (WCRP) Global Energy and Water Cycle Experiment (GEWEX) and Cryosphere and Climate (CLiC) programmes. Additional details can be found atwww.usask.ca/water.

The appointee will be expected to address one or more of the three core themes of the CERC programme (Climate Change and Water Security, Land-Water Management and Environmental Change, Sustainable Development of Natural Resources) and to contribute to the development of interdisciplinary water research across the University and with external partners such as Environment Canada. The appointee’s duties will also include teaching in SENS, with the possibility of teaching in other academic units.

The successful candidate must have a PhD, an established national or international reputation for research relevant to the core themes of the CERC programme (or provide clear evidence of the potential to achieve this), a demonstrated ability to secure research funding, and a proven track record of teaching and research supervision. Excellent interpersonal skills are required, and evidence of successful research collaboration with national and international stakeholders and researchers is desirable.

The successful candidate will be appointed to a tenure-track position in the School of Environment and Sustainability, but may also seek a joint appointment with other academic units if desired and appropriate. Review of applications will begin June 15, 2012, and continue until a suitable candidate is identified.

The University of Saskatchewan is located in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada (www.tourismsaskatoon.com), a city with a diverse and thriving economic base, a strong research cluster, a vibrant arts community, and a full range of leisure opportunities. The University has a reputation for excellence in teaching, research, and scholarly activities, and offers a full range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs to a student population of about 20,000.  The University is one of Canada’s leading research-intensive universities. For information about the University of Saskatchewan, please visit www.usask.ca.  For information about the School of Environment and Sustainability, please visit www.usask.ca/sens. Further details about the U of S CERC programme and the Global Institute for Water Security can be found at www.usask.ca/water.

To be considered for this opportunity, please send your CV, a letter of introduction, the names of three referees, and a summary of your proposed research program and graduate training philosophy in confidence to:

Kate Wilson, Confidential Secretary to the Search Committee
Global Institute for Water Security
University of Saskatchewan
Saskatoon, SK Canada S7N 3H5
e-mail:  kate.wilson@usask.ca