Postdoctoral Fellow in Remote Sensing of Carbon Dynamics in Beaver-Engineered Peatlands
The Opportunity: The postdoctoral researcher will analyze multi-year UAV RGB and LiDAR datasets to detect fine-scale shrub engineering by beavers, estimate associated aboveground carbon stock losses, and identify spatial and temporal patterns of foraging activity across a montane peatland in the Canadian Rocky Mountains. The PDF will lead the publication of research findings in peer-reviewed journals and contribute to the mentoring of early career researchers within an interdisciplinary team. The field site is part of the Global Water Futures Observatories.
Project Description: The postdoctoral position is part of a project forming an evidence base for understanding the potential for, and the potential costs/challenges of, using beavers to mitigate the impacts of climate change on stream and wetland functioning. The project is led by Dr. Cherie Westbrook; Dr. Glynnis Hood and the Miistakis Institute are project co-investigators.
The Opportunity: The postdoctoral researcher will analyze multi-year UAV RGB and LiDAR datasets to detect fine-scale shrub engineering by beavers, estimate associated aboveground carbon stock losses, and identify spatial and temporal patterns of foraging activity across a montane peatland in the Canadian Rocky Mountains. The PDF will lead the publication of research findings in peer-reviewed journals and contribute to the mentoring of early career researchers within an interdisciplinary team. The field site is part of the Global Water Futures Observatories.
Project Description: The postdoctoral position is part of a project forming an evidence base for understanding the potential for, and the potential costs/challenges of, using beavers to mitigate the impacts of climate change on stream and wetland functioning. The project is led by Dr. Cherie Westbrook; Dr. Glynnis Hood and the Miistakis Institute are project co-investigators.
Applicants: The candidate must hold a Ph.D. granted within five (5) years of time of appointment (time extension for career interruptions is provided) in a field related to the position (e.g., remote sensing, geosciences, environmental science, computer science) and have published in their field. Advanced skills in the areas of machine learning (Python), cloud computing, image analysis is required and knowledge of wetlands is preferred. Other requirements include excellent oral and written skills, the ability to work independently on a project with defined deliverables and timelines, and the ability to collaborate with diverse stakeholders on a dynamic and diverse research team. This is a 12-month position with competitive salary and benefits commiserate with the Public Service Alliance of Canada, Local 40004 collective agreement. The position is open to national and international applicants, and has potential for extension.
Location and Synergies: The postdoctoral researcher will be based out of the Beaver Ecohydrology Lab at University of Saskatchewan, led by Dr. Cherie Westbrook, but will engage with and potentially be co-supervised by Dr. Glynnis Hood of University of Alberta Augustana. The candidate will have opportunity to become a member of the Global Institute of Water Security, Canada’s top-ranked centre of water resources research. University of Saskatchewan is one of Canada’s 15-research intensive universities is located within Treaty 6 in the City of Saskatoon, which straddles the beautiful South Saskatchewan River.
How to apply: Click here to apply before August 15, 2025.
The preferred start date for this position is October 1, 2025, but is flexible.
The preferred start date for this position is October 1, 2025, but is flexible.