MSc Opportunity in Soil Science - Canola and Soil Carbon
Root and residue contributions to soil organic matter under contrasting nitrogen fertilization across diverse canola genotypes
Drs. Bobbi Helgason and Melissa Arcand are seeking a MSc student to conduct research to examine crop carbon inputs on soil organic matter dynamics under contrasting nitrogen fertilization to canola. The student’s project will involve conducting greenhouse studies that employ stable isotope labelling of plants and 13C tracing into soil organic matter pools and the soil microbial community. The student will learn a diversity of complex laboratory techniques in soil microbiology and biochemistry. The Department of Soil Science is home to a newly updated state of the art Stable Isotope Facility. Candidates interested in learning about plant-soil relationships on soil fertility and carbon sequestration are encouraged to apply. This project is part of a larger project “Getting more from less – enhancing nitrogen use efficiency and carbon sequestration in canola” funded through the Canola AgriScience Research Cluster.
Interested students should have the following qualifications:
- Undergraduate degree in soil science, environmental science, microbiology, crop science, agronomy, or related discipline
- Strong communication skills
- Ability to work independently and in teams
- Experience in a laboratory work environment is considered an asset
Students will be paid a stipend of $24,000 per year for 2.5 years. Additional scholarship opportunities are available. Students have the option to be part of the Food-Water Nexus Education & Training NSERC CREATE program (https://water.usask.ca/fwnet-create/).
Interested candidates should submit a CV, a one page statement of research interest, and unofficial transcripts to melissa.arcand@usask.ca.
Start date: January 2025 or May 2025
PhD Opportunity in Soil Science
Microbial drivers of soil N2O emissions from enhanced efficiency nitrogen fertilizers
Dr. Bobbi Helgason is seeking a PhD student to conduct research to examine how climate and soil type interact with fertilizer management to affect the performance of enhanced efficiency N fertilizers in annual crop production. The student’s project will involve field and controlled environment studies that employ DNA and RNA profiling (sequencing and qPCR of N cycling genes and transcripts) and stable isotope tracing to understand microbial N cycling. Candidates interested in learning about 4R Nutrient Stewardship (right source, rate, time, and place) by understanding microbial processes contributing to N2O production and consumption are encouraged to apply. The student will learn a diversity of complex laboratory techniques in soil microbiology and biochemistry. The Department of Soil Science is home to a newly updated Stable Isotope Facility with state of the art capacity for isotope tracing in soil and microbial biomarkers as well as gaseous emissions (15N2O/15N2). This project is part of a larger nationwide project “CanN2ONet – A Canadian Nitrous Oxide Collaboration Network to Meet Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Targets” funded by the NSERC Alliance Sustainable Agriculture Research Initiative. Collaboration with research teams in the Department of Plant Sciences and Soil Science at the University of Saskatchewan and the University of Guelph will provide enhanced training opportunities.
Interested students should have the following qualifications:
- Masters of Science in soil science, microbiology, environmental science, agronomy, or related discipline
- Sound understanding of microbial processes of soil nitrogen cycling, including N2O production and consumption
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
- Ability to work independently and in teams
- Experience in a laboratory work environment is required
Students will be paid a stipend of $27,000 per year for 4 years. Additional scholarship opportunities are available. Students have the option to be part of the Food-Water Nexus Education & Training NSERC CREATE program.
Interested candidates should submit a CV, a one page statement of research interest, and unofficial transcripts to bobbi.helgason@usask.ca.
Start date: September 2024 or January 2025
Website: researchers.usask.ca/bobbi-helgason/index.php
Undergraduate Students
Our lab welcomes undergraduate students who would like to apply what they've learned in class and gain valuable lab experience. Undergraduate students interested in a 4th-year thesis or summer student position should contact Dr. Helgason directly.
Graduate Students
Students interested in pursuing a MSc or PhD degree should contact Dr. Helgason directly.