Postdoctoral Fellow/research Associate

Position Information

**Job Title**
- Postdoctoral Fellow/Research Associate - Applied Irrigation Science

**Appointment Type**
- Temporary

**Position Dates**
- November 1, 2025 to October 31, 2027

**Hours per week/FTE**
- 35

**About the Position**
- The Mueller Irrigation Research Group (MIRG) focuses on precision irrigation research by investigating new technologies and management strategies that enable sophisticated on-farm water use. We experiment in the laboratory, on commercial farms, on a research farm, and in computer environments to help producers embed these new technologies in their irrigation management. Our team consists of scientists, technicians, and students that work together to tackle pressing issues in the irrigated lands of southern Alberta.
- Southern Alberta, with its high-value field crops, high winds, multi-year cycles of drought and associated reductions in irrigation water allocation has potential for the implementation of subsurface drip irrigation (SDI). Injecting water into the rootzone, rather than spraying it through the air, prevents drift, eliminates water losses to evaporation from leaves and soil, and reduces the humidity in the canopy and associated risk of disease. The change from operating centre pivot systems to SDI systems is not straightforward. Managing underground hardware can be challenging and while water injected near plant roots is less susceptible to losses, the wetting of the rootzone and field happens unevenly. Irrigation strategies generally tend to be the same in SDI and centre pivot systems, i.e. replacing the difference between evapotranspiration leaving the rootzone and rainfall coming in. However, the uneven wetting means that checking up on this strategy through soil moisture assessment is more difficult in SDI systems. This project aims to derive practical, actionable instructions from existing and new data coupled with hydrological models to schedule irrigation in SDI systems. The project builds on Lethbridge Polytechnic’s substantial experience with SDI systems and issues faced by producers when adopting this technology.

The Mueller Irrigation Research Group (MIRG) at Lethbridge Polytechnic is looking for a postdoctoral fellow (PDF) or research associate (RA) as part of the SCAP/RDAR funded project “Scheduling for subsurface drip irrigation systems to improve water efficient field crop production in Alberta”.

**Position Details**
- The PDF/RA will be responsible for the geostatistical analysis of spatial data (in R, python, or ArcGIS) and the design and calibration of process models (in Hydrus or another numerical software package). They will organize and analyze existing datasets to validate the models, identify which additional data are needed, and collect this data in field or lab with research assistants. Based on the model outcomes, the PDF/RA will design a practical irrigation scheduling approach in collaboration with other MIRG technical and scientific staff and evaluate this approach with farmers and other end-users. The PDF/RA will present results of the work at industry and academic events and prepare them for publication in scientific journals as well as industry outlets. The PDF/RA will assist with general MIRG initiatives when called upon.

**Required Qualifications**
- Has a PhD degree in a hydrological, soil or agricultural discipline (e.g. vadose zone hydrology, soil physics, soil fertility, agronomy, irrigation and water engineering).
- Master of Science with experience in these fields may be considered.
- Has proven experience with modeling in Hydrus (1D/2D/3D).
- Can process and interpret environmental time series and spatial datasets with software packages such as R, Python, QGis, and/or ArcGIS.
- Willing and able to perform field measurements to validate model simulations.
- Familiar with soil physical lab instruments and procedures to determine e.g. particle size distribution, saturated & unsaturated hydraulic conductivity, soil water retention characteristics.
- Able to consider and balance academic and end-user wants and needs with respect to irrigation scheduling.
- Has a record of high-quality scientific publications.
- Functions well in a collaborative team with diverse backgrounds and experience.
- Cross-disciplinary thinker.
- Class 5 Driver’s Licence (non-GDL).

**Preferred Qualifications**
- Previous experience with subsurface drip irrigation systems.
- Experience with soil chemical lab procedures.
- Affinity with applied research through previous involvement in projects with industry partners.

**Salary**
- Starting from $31.56 - $34.97 per hour; commensurate with education and experience.

**Working Here**

**Why choose Lethbridge and Lethbridge Polytechnic**
- Lethbridge Polytechnic is learner-focused, with an emphasis on experiential and flexible learning experiences and work-integrated learning.
- We have a strong connection to our community and the land. We also promote a work environment that supports prof