The University of Saskatchewan Centre for Hydrology www.usask.ca/hydrology with funding from Yukon Environment Water Resources Branch and in collaboration with McMaster University, under a climate change study supported by AANDC has an appointment open for a:
Hydrology Research Assistant
The Yukon Water Resources Branch has received funding to carry out a study of Yukon hydrological response to climate change. Study components include a detailed sensitivity assessment of hydrological response to climate warming and associated permafrost thawing using the Cold Regions Hydrological Model (CRHM) at the Wolf Creek Research Basin, followed by the application of CRHM to other Yukon regions and communities to provide an improved understanding of climate warming sensitivity to inform sectoral adaptation strategies. Wolf Creek Research Basin is the most intensively instrumented basin in the Yukon and so plays an important role in the study for process understanding, climate change detection, model development and validation.
Study partners include the University of Saskatchewan and McMaster University. We are looking for an energetic hydrologist to carry out field and office research which includes:
- Installation, maintenance and operation of hydrological and meteorological monitoring instrumentation in Wolf Creek Research Basin, Yukon;
- Hydrological and meteorological data retrieval, quality control and assurance, archiving and dissemination of data;
- Carrying out hydroclimatic analyses;
- Preparation of technical reports;
- Outreach responsibilities including communicating with municipal, territorial, federal and first nation governments, industry representatives and the public.
Qualifications:
Applicants must have a BSc degree and preferably a MSc degree in a hydrology, atmospheric science, natural resources, or environmental engineering field. The successful applicant should have interests in hydrology and meteorology. In addition to having good numerical analysis skills, applicants should have an aptitude for conducting field work in a challenging environment while programming, deploying and maintaining hydrological and meteorological instrumentation. All candidates must demonstrate that they have excellent oral and written communication skills and an ability to work with a diverse research team.
The ideal candidate would possess the following skills and attributes:
• Ability to organize fieldwork to meet scientific goals and objectives in a cost effective quality assured manner
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision
• Ability to operate and maintain meteorological, snow and hydrological sensors, Campbell dataloggers, ATVs, snowmobiles and mechanical equipment
• Ability to manage hydrological and meteorological data on Windows-based computers using various data retrieval and database programs
• Ability to analyse hydrological and climate data for statistical trends and variability
• Ability to write scientific reports and reports for the public
• Ability to communicate scientific findings with the public
• Ability to foster effective interpersonal relationships
• Reliability, integrity, alertness, cooperativeness, initiative and good judgment in decision making
The ideal candidate would also possess experience with the following:
• Performing hydrological and/or climatological research
• Installing and operating meteorological stations and sensors, and operating Campbell dataloggers,
• Controlling quality of data analysis using Microsoft Excel
• Operating ATVs, snowmobiles and 4x4 trucks
Venue and Conditions of Work:
Research will be conducted in the Wolf Creek Research Basin, from Yukon Environment offices in Whitehorse, supported by the University of Saskatchewan and McMaster University. The study lead investigators are Rick Janowicz, Hydrologist, Yukon Environment; John Pomeroy, Professor, Canada Research Chair in Water Resources and Climate Change and Director of the Centre for Hydrology, University of Saskatchewan; Sean Carey, Professor, McMaster University. Wolf Creek Research Basin is one of the most comprehensively instrumented northern research basins in Canada and has a 20 year history of research. Fieldwork technicians and computer modellers are available to help with this research.
Eligible candidates must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license and be able to operate a variety of vehicles as well as hold and maintain valid First Aid and CPR certificates. Candidates must be willing to work in remote wilderness locations under adverse weather conditions.
Position:
The one year position (with possibility for extension) will be staffed through the University of Saskatchewan Centre for Hydrology (www.usask.ca/hydrology) and will be based in Whitehorse.
Salary: commensurate with level of experience and demonstrated abilities.
Applications will be reviewed starting Oct 12, 2012. The position will remain open until a suitable candidate is found. Please email your CV, cover letter, and names and contact information of three references to Joni Onclin at centre.hydrology@usask.ca
Professor John Pomeroy
Canada Research Chair in Water Resources and Climate Change
Director, Centre for Hydrology
University of Saskatchewan
117 Science Place
Saskatoon, Sask.
S7N 5C8 Canada
