Post-doctoral Research Scholar for Greenhouse Crop Production

at  Kwantlen Polytechnic University

SUMMARY

The research team at Kwantlen Polytechnic University’s Institute for Sustainable Horticulture (ISH) conducts applied research to produce and develop novel bioproducts, novel growing systems and agritech research to support ecosystem health and resilience. To learn more about our research, please browse our website at https://www.kpu.ca/ish
This position will start as soon as the appropriate candidate is selected and provides a competitive salary commensurate with qualifications and experience. The Post-doctoral Fellow will work directly on the optimization of greenhouse strawberry production and disease and pest management with dynamic LED lighting at ISH, KPU in collaboration with industry partners. This individual will help lead and support applied research projects under the supervision and direction of the PI, and in collaboration with KPU faculty members and ISH senior research staff. The Fellow will regularly interact with industry partners to support project planning and progress updates. Where appropriate, they may also help supervise and train student researchers working in the ISH laboratories, greenhouse, or in the field as applicable. They will contribute to project planning and design, perform greenhouse and laboratory tasks, and communicate results to the PI, faculty, staff, and industry partners.
This is a Mitacs-funded position. The successful candidate must be within less than five years from the date of graduation from a PhD program. Please see link below for the eligibility requirements of the Mitacs Accelerate program.
https://www.mitacs.ca/our-programs/accelerate-core-students-postdocs/

QUALIFICATIONS

• Hold a Ph.D. in Horticulture, Plant Biology, Plant Sciences, or Plant Physiology.
• Knowledge of light and its impacts on plants is required.
• Good verbal and written skills in English, knowledge of experimental design and analysis, and computer literacy and application.
• Exceptional writing and reporting skills to effectively communicate research findings.
• Experience in R software, or similar software, for statistical analysis.
• Excellent time management, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Well-organized, energetic, accurate, and flexible in approaching tasks.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Ability to set priorities, work under pressure, deliver high-quality products, and meet deadlines.
  Have to be within 5 years after PhD.
  Applicants must be currently authorized to work in Canada.
  Job Type: Full-time, Contract

Contract length: 2-3 years

• Salary Information

Anticipated hourly pay rate: $30-$33 per hour.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Execute experiments with different light recipes using dynamic LED lighting technology for greenhouse strawberry production.
• Meet with industry partners to help with project planning and design.
• Communicate regularly with ISH’s senior leadership, staff, and undergraduate student researchers on project progress.
• Gather, organize, and maintain experimental data and records in the ISH lab, research greenhouse, and in the field when required.
• Execute experiments required for research projects, including quality control, and troubleshooting when necessary.
• Prepare reports and presentations, independently and under the direction of the ISH’s senior leadership.
• Provide on-site supervision and training to undergraduate student researchers and research staff, when required.
• Generate and update standard operating procedures for routine and new developments, in collaboration with the greenhouse and laboratory Research Coordinator and/or senior research staff.
• Other duties as assigned.

DOES THIS ROLE SOUND LIKE IT WAS MADE FOR YOU, YET YOU DON’T CHECK EVERY BOX?

We at KPU understand that experiences and qualifications may look differently for everyone and, if this job description is of interest to you, we encourage you to apply.