Grower-cooperator Liaison, Biological Sciences

Description

The Biological Sciences Team in the Faculty of Science invites applications for a Grower-cooperator Liaison. This Part-time Fixed Term position is for approximately 7 months (based on length of grant funding), with the possibility of extension.

The Prairie Precision Sustainability Network (PPSN) is an existing collaboration between the Universities of Calgary and Saskatchewan that aims to offer data-driven support to crop growers across Western Canada, and assist them in making land management decisions. Pour goals are to measure the potential for unproductive or unprofitable areas on crop fields to support crop industry profitability and environmental sustainability objectives.

Grower-cooperator liaisons will be responsible for recruiting growers to cooperate with our network from across Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. A key role will be to support growers in sharing their data with the PPSN, to explain to growers how the PPSN intends to use the collected data, and to act as a liaison between the growers and our team to implement restoration.

This position will start in August 2024, and offers a flexible work-from-home schedule. It will involve a limited amount of travel, overnight where necessary to meet with growers and to support their contribution of data.

Summary of Key Responsibilities (job functions include but are not limited to):

• Identify crop growers willing to join our data-sharing network.
• Ensure the completion of data-sharing agreements with growers.
• Collect precision agricultural, agronomic, and farm revenue and expense data from these growers.
• Conduct surveys and interviews with growers.
• Explain to growers how the PPSN intends to use the collected data, and how its analysis in an anonymous and aggregated way will not reveal private information.
• Maintain confidentiality in all interactions.
• Operate a secure electronic retrieval system to enable growers to upload data directly.
• Travel, overnight where necessary, to meet with growers to support their contribution of data to the network.
• Identify growers interested in trialing restoration of marginal land on their crop fields.
• Coordinate access for our research teams on growers land.

Qualifications / Requirements:

• Experience interacting with the crop growers and members of the farming community in one-on-one interactions.
• An unrestricted driving license (e.g., Class 5 in Alberta).
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Familiarity with data collection and recording.
• Completion of a degree, diploma or certificate in a related field (e.g., agriculture, agribusiness or plant biology).
• Basic knowledge of grain farming preferred.
• Basic familiarity with the purpose and operation of precision agricultural technology preferred.

Application Deadline:  July 25, 2025

We would like to thank all applicants in advance for submitting their resumes. Please note, only those candidates chosen to continue on through the selection process will be contacted.

This position is part of the AUPE bargaining unit, and falls under the Specialist/Advisor Job Family, Phase 1.

For a listing of all management and staff opportunities at the University of Calgary, view our Management and Staff Careers website. 

About the University of Calgary

UCalgary is Canada¿s entrepreneurial university, located in Canada¿s most enterprising city. It is a top research university and one of the highest-ranked universities of its age. Founded in 1966, its 36,000 students experience an innovative learning environment, made rich by research, hands-on experiences and entrepreneurial thinking. It is Canada¿s leader in the creation of start-ups. Start something today at the University of Calgary. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca.

The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide Indigenous Strategy committing to creating a rich, vibrant, and culturally competent campus that welcomes and supports Indigenous Peoples, encourages Indigenous community partnerships, is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in all that we do.

As an equitable and inclusive employer, the University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their academic and professional success while they are here. In particular, we encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible/racialized minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply. To ensure a fair and equitable assessment, we offer accommodation at any stage during the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities. Questions regarding [diversity] EDI at UCalgary can be sent to the Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion ([email protected]) and requests for accommodations can be sent to Human Resources ([email protected]).

Do you have most but not all the qualifications? Research show that women, racialized and visible minorities, and persons with disabilities are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At UCalgary we are committed to achieving equitable, diverse, inclusive and accessible employment practices and workplaces and encourage you to apply if you believe you are right for this role. 

We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, however preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada.