Research Chair - Sustainable Forestry Solutions

Saskatchewan Polytechnic is hiring a Research Chair in Sustainable Forestry Solutions at the Prince Albert campus. The role focuses on applied research in sustainable forestry, requiring expertise in boreal forest environments. Responsibilities include securing funding, managing projects, and collaborating with industry and community partners, emphasizing Indigenous knowledge. The position aims to enhance sustainable resource management and contribute to the development of a diverse workforce.
Saskatchewan Polytechnic is seeking a Research Chair in Sustainable Forestry Solutions based at the Prince Albert campus. The role involves leadership in applied research for sustainable forestry, requiring expertise in boreal forest environments. Responsibilities include securing external funding and managing research projects. The position emphasizes collaboration with industry and community partners to enhance sustainable resource management, with a focus on Indigenous knowledge and innovative practices.
Competition Number

P16411

Posting Title

Research Chair - Sustainable Forestry Solutions

Classification

Unclassified

Location

Saskatchewan Polytechnic Prince Albert Campus

Other Location(s)

Saskatchewan Polytechnic Prince Albert Campus

Building

Other Building

Date Posted

04/02/2025

Closing Date

JIQ #

Start Date

05/15/2025

End Date

Open Until Filled

Yes

Ongoing

Yes

Category of work

Full Time

Bargaining Unit

Unclassified

Hours of Work

To be Assigned

Salary Range

As per Unclassified Wage Structure

Temporary Market Stipend

Incumbent

Total Assigned days (AC) / Total Hours per biweekly pay

Full time

Posting Status

Open

Please note that the review of applications will begin on May 1, 2025.

Saskatchewan Polytechnic considers the diversity of our workforce to be one our leading strengths and greatest assets. Our employee diversity enhances our ability to meet the needs of an increasingly diverse student population. Currently, approximately 20% of our students are Indigenous. A continued emphasis on the development of a representative workforce is one of Sask Polytech’s strategic priorities and, as an organization, we are making significant efforts to attract and retain Indigenous employees.

Job Duties/Qualifications, Skills and Abilities(QSA)

Job Duties

Job Duties

The Sustainability-Led Integrated Centres of Excellence (SLICE) is a solution-oriented applied research centre at Saskatchewan Polytechnic — 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 Forestry Solutions, to be based at the Prince Albert campus of Sask Polytech. We are seeking candidates with experience in boreal forest environments, with specialization in a relevant area such as: forest management, forest regeneration, wildfire resilience, Indigenous environmental knowledge, value added forest products, and green construction through innovative wood products. The Research Chair will have access to a suite of remotely-piloted aircraft systems and sensors, as well as boreal forest field station facilities at the award-winning Hannin Creek Applied Research and Education Centre (operated in partnership with the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation). The Prince Albert campus has an exceptional track record in applied research through the Natural Resources Technology team in SLICE, and a talented pool of students in programs such as Integrated Resource Management and Geographic Information Sciences.

Reporting to the Director of SLICE, the Research Chair will provide leadership in applied research to support the development of sustainable forestry 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 penchant 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 forestry in Saskatchewan.

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

QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND EXPERIENCE

Specific Accountabilities

Applied Research Leadership (50%)

1. Lead and promote applied research initiatives in sustainable forestry solutions for Saskatchewan Polytechnic.
2. Identify and actively pursue funding opportunities and provide leadership in the preparation and submission of funding proposals in an applied and partner-driven framework.
3. Ensure project progress by planning and coordinating within project timelines in conjunction with Research Associate/s and other personnel.
4. Assign research project related duties to team members.
5. Provide supervision and mentorship to other team members, including research associates, technologists and student research assistants to be hired with grant funding.
6. 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.
7. Develop and monitor research budgets.
8. Assess, interpret, and evaluate outcomes of research.
9. Ensure quality control of research activities in meeting deliverables and objectives.
10. Remain current in emerging trends and technologies in forestry.

Communication and Outreach (20%)

1. Foster and maintain mutually beneficial research partnerships, locally, provincially, nationally and internationally, with colleagues and stakeholders in research.
2. Ensure relationships with partners and parties of interest are optimally realized and maintained.
3. 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.
4. Undertake dissemination and mobilization of knowledge in a format appropriate to the project.
5. Collaborate with internal and external contacts such as educational, funding, and research bodies.
6. Promote applied research and research opportunities within Saskatchewan Polytechnic.

Administration (30%)

1. Act as direct supervisor for Student Assistants, Research Technologists, Research Associates, and Senior Associate Researchers, providing guidance and direction.
2. 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.
3. Manage the effective use of research resources.
4. Allocate resources and workflow within the team.
5. 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.
7. Attend regular meetings of SLICE and the Applied Research group at Saskatchewan Polytechnic.
8. 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.
9. Follow all academic regulations and/or policies adopted by Saskatchewan Polytechnic and/or granting agencies relating to research and scholarly work.
10. Contribute to creating a positive, diverse, and inclusive work and learning environment.
11. Other duties as required.

Duties

Required Qualifications, Skills and Abilities (QSA)

1. A graduate degree in a relevant field (such as forestry, ecology, or resource management) or suitable combination of technical/academic training combined with professional experience related to forestry and forest-related research.

2. Minimum five years professional experience in industry and/or applied research with evidence of career progression to a leadership level.

3. Demonstrated subject matter expertise in a field relevant to sustainable forestry solutions.

4. Experience managing projects including project budgets, scheduling, and risks.

5. Effective and creative problem-solving skills with attention to detail.

6. Effective oral and written communication skills and demonstrated skills in grant-writing.

7. Effective organizational and time management skills.

8. Appropriate safety training (e.g. WHMIS, laboratory safety, first aid) or willingness to obtain this training.

9. Experience supervising students and/or direct reports in a professional setting.

10. Demonstrates valuing Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.

Candidates must have a valid driver’s license and willingness to travel on occasion (mostly within Saskatchewan).

Desired QSA