Job: CRC Research Technician
The Centre for Hydrology is seeking an experienced Research Technician for a 1 year term position (extension is likely, but dependent on funding/workload) to conduct physically-based field studies of surface and near surface hydrology, catchment water balance, and surface energy balance. This is a hands-on position, carrying out data collection, research and analysis in the field, as well as making presentations, providing consultation services, and working with multi-national, interdisciplinary teams. Work is performed in the laboratory, but also requires spending weeks at a time in field locations and camps in remote areas. Considerable travel is required. Candidates must be comfortable working at heights and in all weather conditions.
Candidates must possess a relevant B.Sc. or M.Sc. degree in physical sciences or engineering with specialization in hydrological or environmental sciences; an equivalent combination of training and experience may be considered. Other requirements include: an understanding of hydrological principles as they apply to cold regions processes, water balance, streamflow generation, including soil and snow hydrology; knowledge of field and laboratory techniques for hydrology; a valid driver’s permit and current first aid certification; and familiarity with the operation and maintenance of 4WD trucks, all-terrain vehicles, and skidoos in adverse conditions.
CRC Research Technician
STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION
STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS
Graduation from a recognized university with an acceptable B.Sc. or M.Sc. degree in physical sciences or engineering with specialization in hydrological or environmental sciences relevant to the duties of the position; or an acceptable combination of education, training and/or experience.
EXPERIENCE
Experience in
• conducting physically-based field studies at remote sites of surface and near surface hydrology, catchment water balance, surface energy balance.
• programming and launching Campbell dataloggers, energy and mass balance systems, eddy correlation systems.
• designing, constructing and installing hydrometeorological stations.
• Managing and maintaining computer systems for scientific data analysis, hydrological modelling, graphing and mapping,
• managing, editing, preparing, graphing, QA/QC and conducting basic analysis on datasets of environmental measurements
KNOWLEDGE
Knowledge of
• hydrological principles as they apply to cold regions processes, water balance, streamflow generation, including soil and snow hydrology.
• field, and laboratory techniques for hydrology, advanced Campbell datalogger systems control programming, and techniques to assess computer models used in estimating hydrology,
• Operation and maintenance of 4WD trucks, all terrain vehicles, skidoos in adverse conditions.
ABILITIES
Ability to
• plan, organize and implement short and long term investigations of hydrological processes, water balance and streamflow.
• Review, interpret and evaluate the appropriate scientific literature,
• detect inadequacies of existing knowledge and methodology,
• produce cost and time estimates for field and modelling studies
• develop analysis and field protocols for CRC research programme
• apply recent advances in hydrological measurement, modelling and analysis
• design novel experimental techniques and approaches
• analyze and interpret data, report results, recommend action to be taken,
• help prepare manuscripts for publication in scientific journals
• conduct environmental impact investigations for proposed field studies
• provide advice and consultative services to other University researchers, departments and to government agencies in collaborative and outreach programmes,
• make effective oral presentations on hydrology research programs to CRC students and staff, and to technical organisations.
PERSONAL SUITABILITY
• Effective interpersonal relations with multinational research teams,
• Effective communication and consultative skills.
• Initiative, creativity and sound judgement in decision making.
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
• Valid driver’s permit.
• Current first aid certification
• Willing to work for prolonged periods in the laboratory and in remote field locations and camps under less than ideal conditions (e.g., inclement weather).
• Willing to be away from home for several weeks at a time on work-related travel.
• Willing to travel by skidoo, all-terrain vehicle, boat, helicopter, ski, snowshoe as necessary to conduct field experiments.
• Must be willing to climb and install instrumentation on tall meteorological towers to conduct experiments.
You can download the job qualifications here
For more information on the Centre for Hydrology, see our website.
To apply, send a CV and contact information for 2 references to joni.onclin@usask.ca
Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
(Posted April 1, 2009)