Postdoctoral Fellow – Land Use and Soil Data Full-time

Postdoctoral Fellows (PDF)

The Faculty of Agricultural, Life & Environmental Sciences is a leader in teaching, research, and community engagement across diverse fields including food systems, sustainable resource management, human ecology, and environmental sociology. With more than 500 faculty and staff, over 1,500 undergraduates, and 600 graduate students, the Faculty of Agricultural, Life & Environmental Sciences leverages 25,000 acres of research land across Alberta to deliver high-impact academic programs and applied research in partnership with industry and communities.

Job Description

This position has an initial appointment of 2 years.

Location – This role is in-person. Work primarily takes place at North Campus, Edmonton.

The successful candidate will work closely with Drs. Feng Qiu and Xiaoli Fan, as well as an interdisciplinary team of experts, on an economic valuation of soil data project funded by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC).

Responsibilities

• Developing models that optimizes land allocation across various uses.
• Assessing the economic, environmental, and social value of publicly available soil data for land conservation, planning, and management decisions.
• Preparing presentations, drafting reports, and composing academic publications.

Qualifications

• PhD in agricultural and applied economics, operations research, or a closely related field.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with GIS analysis is highly desirable.
• Prior exposure to land use modeling.
• Proficiency in statistical software including STATA, R, GAMS, and MATLAB.
• Knowledge of simulation and optimization methods and tools is a plus.

Application Instructions

Click “Apply Now” and submit the following documents:

• CV
• Cover Letter
• Academic Referral Letters (optional: if provided, referees may email the letter directly to fq@ualberta.ca)
• Academic Transcripts (unofficial transcripts are acceptable)
• Contact Information (for two references)

Interested candidates are encouraged to apply directly through the online application system. If you experience any difficulties submitting your application online, you may alternatively email your complete application package to Dr. Qiu at fq@ualberta.ca.

This position has a comprehensive benefits package.

The terms and conditions of this appointment are governed by the Collective Agreement between the Board of Governors of the University of Alberta and the Postdoctoral Fellows Association of the University of Alberta.

About Us

The University of Alberta acknowledges that we are located on Treaty 6 territory, and respects the histories, languages and cultures of First Nations, Métis, Inuit and all First Peoples of Canada, whose presence continues to enrich our vibrant community. The University of Alberta is a community of knowledge seekers, change makers and world shapers who lead with purpose each and every day. We are home to over 14,000 faculty and staff, more than 40,000 students and a growing community of 300,000 alumni worldwide. Your work will have a meaningful influence on a fascinating cross-section of people – from our students and community members, to our renowned researchers and innovators, making discoveries and generating solutions that make the world healthier, safer, stronger and more just. Learn more. At the University of Alberta, we are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible hiring process for all candidates. If you require accommodations to participate in the interview process, please let us know at the time of booking your interview and we will make every effort to accommodate your needs. All University employees have a responsibility to foster a workplace that prioritizes safety in all its forms—physical, cultural, and psychological. This is achieved by promoting a safe environment, adhering to all safety laws, policies and procedures, completing all required safety training, identifying hazards and implementing controls, reporting incidents, and contributing to a culture of belonging and respect, while endeavoring to ensure that all colleagues feel valued and safe to express their thoughts, perspectives and concerns. The University of Alberta is committed to creating a university community where everyone feels valued, barriers to success are removed, and thriving connections are fostered. We welcome applications from all qualified persons. We encourage women, First Nations, Métis and Inuit persons, members of visible minority groups, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity and expression, and all those who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas and the University to apply. L'Université de l'Alberta s'engage à créer une communauté universitaire où chaque personne se sent valorisée, où les obstacles à la réussite sont éliminés et où des connexions enrichissantes peuvent se développer. Nous accueillons les demandes de toutes les personnes qualifiées. Nous encourageons les femmes; Premières nations, Métis et Inuits; membres des groupes minoritaires visibles; personnes handicapées; personnes de toute orientation sexuelle ou identité et expression de genre; et toutes les personnes qui peuvent contribuer à la diversification des idées et à l'université à postuler.