Research Chair - Sustainable Agriculture Solutions

The Sustainability-Led Integrated Centres of Excellence (SLICE) is a solution-oriented applied research centre at Saskatchewan Polytechnic (Sask Polytech) — advancing sustainable resource management with a full life-cycle lens on economic activities in Saskatchewan’s energy and resources, manufacturing, agriculture and forestry sectors. By working with SLICE, industry and community partners can capture new opportunities, solve everyday problems and realize economic, social and environmental benefits. SLICE’s collaborative approach brings together the expertise needed to address complex issues related to sustainability.

SLICE is seeking a Research Chair in Sustainable Agriculture Solutions, to be based at the Moose Jaw campus of Sask Polytech. We are seeking candidates with experience in prairie agriculture environments, with a specialization in a relevant area such as: agronomy, beneficial management practices, precision agriculture, plant and soil health, crop improvement, controlled environment agriculture, and/or agri-food innovation. Approaches can be field or lab-based, or a combination of the two. The Research Chair will have access to land for small-scale field trials at the field site for the Agriculture and Food Production program in Moose Jaw. The Agriculture and Food Production program has recently renovated lab space that would be available for research activities, and a pool of talented students to participate in applied research projects.

Reporting to the Director of SLICE, the Research Chair will provide leadership in applied research to support the development of sustainable agriculture solutions in Saskatchewan. The Research Chair will be expected to obtain external funding for research projects and ensure that appropriate research personnel and project management staff are in place to deliver results. Saskatchewan Polytechnic, as part of the college and polytechnic post-secondary sector, engages in applied research which means finding solutions to challenges that are brought to us by industry and community partners. Success in this position requires strong grant-writing, networking, and project management skills. Working within the supportive and distributed SLICE team environment, we are seeking someone with a passion for innovation with the ability to generate enthusiasm among colleagues and mentor students in applied research. The full-time commitment of the position is focused on engaging industry and community with applied research projects and defining and realizing significant research goals for agriculture in Saskatchewan.

SLICE values diversity and welcomes applications from individuals with diverse backgrounds, identities, experiences and perspectives.

• Lead and promote applied research initiatives in sustainable agriculture solutions for Saskatchewan Polytechnic.

• Identify and actively pursue funding opportunities and provide leadership in the preparation and submission of funding proposals in an applied and partner-driven framework.

• Ensure project progress by planning and coordinating within project timelines in conjunction with Research Associate/s and other personnel.

• Assign research project related duties to team members.

• Provide supervision and mentorship to other team members, including research associates, technologists and student research assistants to be hired with grant funding.

• Plan the overall direction and objectives for research in collaboration with partner organizations and collaborate with research team members to choose research methods and experimental approaches.

• Develop and monitor research budgets.

• Assess, interpret, and evaluate outcomes of research.

• Ensure quality control of research activities in meeting deliverables and objectives.

• Remain current in emerging trends and technologies in forestry.

• Foster and maintain mutually beneficial research partnerships, locally, provincially, nationally and internationally, with colleagues and stakeholders in research.

• Ensure relationships with partners and parties of interest are optimally realized and maintained.

• Plan and lead meetings with the partner organizations (may include industry, government, Indigenous communities, non-profit organizations, academic collaborators and others) and act as primary point of contact.

• Undertake dissemination and mobilization of knowledge in a format appropriate to the project.

• Collaborate with internal and external contacts such as educational, funding, and research bodies.

• Promote applied research and research opportunities within Saskatchewan Polytechnic.

• Act as direct supervisor for Student Assistants, Research Technologists, Research Associates, and Senior Associate Researchers, providing guidance and direction.

• Maintain a high level of staff performance through effective use of human resources practices and procedures including recruitment, selection, orientation, training, probationary reviews, motivating and assessing research team members.

• Manage the effective use of research resources.

• Allocate resources and workflow within the team.

• Work in collaboration with the leadership team in the Faculty of Technology and Skilled Trades, and the Office of Applied Research and Innovation at Saskatchewan Polytechnic.

• 6.Plan and conduct systematic reviews of completed projects and contribute to SLICE research reporting and metrics as requested.

• Attend regular meetings of SLICE and the Applied Research group at Saskatchewan Polytechnic.

• Ensure safety protocols and all appropriate certifications are in place for field and lab-based work and foster a culture of organizational safety and security.

• Follow all academic regulations and/or policies adopted by Saskatchewan Polytechnic and/or granting agencies relating to research and scholarly work.

• Contribute to creating a positive, diverse, and inclusive work and learning environment.

• Other duties as required.