PLSC Pre-Breeding Technician, Crop Development Centre na University of Saskatchewan
University of Saskatchewan · Saskatoon, Canadá · Onsite
- Junior
- Escritório em Saskatoon
PLSC Pre-Breeding Technician, Crop Development Centre
Primary Purpose: The Wheat Applied Genomics and Pre-Breeding Program at the Crop Development Centre, University of Saskatchewan requires a Research Technician who will work as part of a growing team to support research and development of improved traits in wheat. This Program is newly established and will conduct research and trait breeding activities to develop and deploy useful traits through wheat cultivar development programs at the Centre. This is the first position to be filled, with plans for growth in the coming years to include multiple technicians, graduate students, and professional research staff. This position will work independently to meet research and breeding goals. Tasks vary throughout the year and require knowledge of molecular techniques, plant husbandry and data collection in greenhouse and field trials. The Research Technician may be asked to supervise other staff, including part-time support staff and summer students. The Research Technician may also be asked to support graduate students and collaborators with technical knowledge. The Research Technician may be exposed to lab chemicals (ethyl methanesulfonate mutagen, toxic ethidium bromide) and field conditions (extreme temperatures, dust, loud noises, agricultural chemicals (e.g. herbicides, seed treatments)). The Research Technician, with support from their supervisor, will be expected to remain aligned with the University safety procedures under these conditions. Field work is often physically demanding and requires standing for long periods of time in hot temperatures. The Technician must be physically capable of lifting 25 kg. The Research Technician will be mindful of their own safety and ensure the safety of their fellow workers. This includes following all standard operating procedures, and use of good judgement. Understanding and following all laboratory safety measures is a must. The Technician will be expected to identify and work on solutions to workplace hazards. The Research Technician will be expected to work with limited supervision, and to be capable of supervising summer students and part-time staff to accomplish tasks throughout the year. The Research Technician may also be asked to support graduate students, professional research staff and collaborators. Applicants: For best consideration send CV to [email protected] by October 10th, 2025.
Nature of Work: The successful candidate will support research activities in genetics, genomics, and pre-breeding. Responsibilities will include greenhouse tasks such as plant cultivation, crossing, and spike threshing; molecular biology laboratory work including DNA/RNA extraction, genetic marker analysis, and sequencing; and disease phenotyping under both field and greenhouse conditions. Work will primarily be conducted in the molecular laboratory and greenhouse, but it is expected that the research technician will also support establishment and collection of data in field trials during the summer months. This position reports to the CDC Wheat Applied Genomics and Pre-Breeding group leader, Valentyna Klymiuk.
Typical Duties or Accountabilities: The Research Technician will work collaboratively to support key activities in genetics, genomics, and pre-breeding. Responsibilities will include: a) Greenhouse operations: Growing plants, performing crosses and seed increases, harvesting and threshing grain samples, and conducting disease phenotyping for wheat diseases such as Fusarium head blight (FHB), stripe rust, stem rust, and leaf rust. b) Molecular laboratory experiments: executing protocols including DNA/RNA extraction, genetic marker analysis, sequencing, and quantitative PCR. and c) Field support and sample analysis: organizing and preparing samples for seeding, conducting FHB and rust phenotyping in field nurseries, and collecting data from field plots.
Education: A degree or diploma in agriculture, plant science, biology, or a related field of study.
Licenses: Must possess a valid driver’s license. Candidate should have or be willing to obtain WHMIS, First Aid and CPR training.
Experience: The successful candidate must have demonstrated experience in one or more the following areas: scientific data collection, molecular lab work, handheld and desktop computers and software including Microsoft Excel and Word. Experience with greenhouse work, crossing, disease phenotyping, field trial setup and maintenance is considered a strong asset.
Skills: Strong communication and interpersonal skills to be a core member of a positive team environment. Well organized and able to manage time efficiently.
Department: Crop Development Centre
Status: Term 2 years
Employment Group: Research Positions - Non-union
Full Time Equivalent (FTE): 1.0
Salary: The salary range, based on 1.0 FTE, is $0.00 - 0.00 per annum. The starting salary will be commensurate with education and experience.
Salary Family (if applicable):
Salary Phase/Band: Salary Band 6
Posted Date: 9/26/2025
Closing Date: 10/16/2025
Number of Openings: 1
Work Location: On Campus
The University of Saskatchewan aspires to be what the world needs and embraces equity, diversity and inclusion as foundational to excellence and innovation. We actively seek to create a welcoming environment where all individuals feel empowered to thrive, contribute, and grow. Applications from equity-deserving groups are encouraged as part of our ongoing efforts to reflect the diversity of the communities we serve: EDI Framework for Action.
We continue to grow our partnerships with Indigenous communities across the province, nationally, and internationally and value the unique perspective that Indigenous employees provide to strengthen these relationships. Verification of Indigenous Membership/Citizenship at the University of Saskatchewan is led and determined by the deybwewin | taapwaywin | tapwewin: Indigenous Truth policy and the Standing Committee in accordance with the processes developed to enact the policy. Successful candidates that assert Indigenous membership/citizenship will be asked to complete the verification process of Indigenous membership/citizenship with documentation.
The University of Saskatchewan provides an accessible and inclusive workplace. Should you require support through any stage of the recruitment process, please contact Human Resources for assistance.
