Postdoctoral Fellow in Land Use and Soil Data at the University of Alberta, Canada (2026)
The successful candidate will collaborate with Dr. Feng Qiu, Dr. Xiaoli Fan, and a multidisciplinary team of researchers to develop innovative approaches that improve land-use planning and quantify the value of publicly available soil data for environmental and economic decision-making.
Applications are open until 28 August 2026.
About the Research Project
Reliable soil information is fundamental to sustainable agriculture, environmental conservation, and land-use planning. However, the economic value of publicly available soil datasets has rarely been quantified.
This postdoctoral project seeks to bridge that gap by developing models that demonstrate how soil information can improve decision-making for governments, land managers, conservation agencies, and agricultural stakeholders.
The research is funded by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) and combines environmental science, economics, GIS, and optimization modelling.
Research Objectives
The successful researcher will contribute to several key objectives:
Develop land-use optimization models
Quantify the economic value of soil information
Support sustainable land-use planning
Improve conservation decision-making
Assess environmental and social benefits of soil datasets
The project aims to demonstrate how high-quality soil information can generate significant economic and environmental value for society.
Key Responsibilities
As a Postdoctoral Fellow, you will:
Develop Land-Use Models
Design optimization models that allocate land across different agricultural, conservation, and development uses while maximizing environmental and economic outcomes.
Economic Valuation of Soil Data
Assess the:
Economic value
Environmental value
Social value
of publicly available soil datasets for land planning and resource management.
Scientific Communication
You will:
Prepare scientific publications
Present research findings at conferences
Draft technical reports
Deliver presentations to stakeholders
The position offers an excellent balance of research, collaboration, and scientific dissemination.
Candidate Requirements
Applicants should possess:
Essential Qualifications
PhD in:
Agricultural Economics
Applied Economics
Operations Research
Environmental Economics
Or a closely related discipline
Applicants should also demonstrate:
Excellent written communication skills
Strong oral communication skills
Scientific publication potential
Preferred Qualifications
The University of Alberta particularly welcomes applicants with experience in:
Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
Experience using GIS for spatial analysis and land-use planning is highly desirable.
Land-Use Modelling
Statistical Software
Experience with one or more of the following:
R
STATA
MATLAB
GAMS
Optimization & Simulation
Knowledge of optimization algorithms, simulation modelling, and decision-support tools is considered an advantage.
Research Environment
The successful candidate will work within the Faculty of Agricultural, Life & Environmental Sciences, one of Canada's leading centres for agricultural and environmental research.
The faculty includes:
More than 500 faculty and staff
Over 1,500 undergraduate students
Around 600 graduate students
Researchers also benefit from access to approximately 25,000 acres of research land across Alberta, supporting large-scale studies in agriculture, natural resources, and environmental management.
About the University of Alberta
The University of Alberta is one of Canada's premier public research universities, consistently ranked among the country's top institutions.
Located in Edmonton, Alberta, the university is home to:
Over 40,000 students
More than 14,000 faculty and staff
Approximately 300,000 alumni worldwide
Its research spans agriculture, health, engineering, environmental sciences, artificial intelligence, and sustainability.
Position Details
Position Title: Postdoctoral Fellow – Land Use and Soil Data
Institution: University of Alberta
Location: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Duration: Initial appointment of two years
Work Schedule
Full-time
On-site at North Campus
Benefits
The position includes:
Comprehensive employee benefits
Competitive postdoctoral salary
Professional development opportunities
Collaborative interdisciplinary research environment
Employment follows the Collective Agreement between the University of Alberta and the Postdoctoral Fellows Association, ensuring excellent working conditions and employment protections.
Application Documents
Applicants should submit:
Curriculum Vitae (CV)
Cover Letter
Academic Transcripts (unofficial accepted)
Contact details for two referees
Optional:
Academic reference letters (may be sent directly by referees)
Applications should be submitted through the University's online recruitment system. If technical issues arise, candidates may alternatively email their application package directly to Dr. Feng Qiu.
Important Dates
Application Deadline: 28 August 2026
Position Type: Full-time Postdoctoral Fellowship
Contract Duration: 2 Years
Location: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Official Application Link
Why This Position Is Attractive
This fellowship is particularly appealing because it integrates:
- Soil science
- Land-use planning
- Environmental economics
- GIS
- Operations research
- Sustainability
- Agricultural decision-making
Researchers interested in interdisciplinary environmental research will gain valuable experience working on applied projects with real-world impacts on conservation and land management.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is the main focus of this postdoctoral position?
The project focuses on developing land-use optimization models and evaluating the economic, environmental, and social value of publicly available soil data.
2. Which disciplines are eligible?
Applicants should have a PhD in Agricultural Economics, Applied Economics, Operations Research, or a closely related field.
3. Is GIS experience required?
GIS experience is not mandatory but is considered highly desirable.
4. Which software skills are preferred?
Experience with R, STATA, MATLAB, and GAMS is advantageous, along with knowledge of optimization and simulation methods.
5. How long is the appointment?
The fellowship is initially funded for two years.
6. Is this an on-campus position?
Yes. The role is based on-site at the University of Alberta's North Campus in Edmonton.
7. Are reference letters mandatory?
Reference letters are optional, but applicants must provide contact information for two referees.
8. Can applications be submitted by email?
The preferred method is the online application system. If technical issues occur, applications may be emailed directly to Dr. Feng Qiu.
9. What are the main research outputs?
The successful candidate will publish scientific papers, prepare reports, and present findings at conferences and stakeholder meetings.
10. When is the application deadline?
Applications must be submitted by 28 August 2026.
Final Thoughts
The Postdoctoral Fellow in Land Use and Soil Data at the University of Alberta offers an outstanding opportunity for researchers interested in environmental economics, GIS, land-use optimization, and sustainable resource management. Working within an NSERC-funded interdisciplinary project, the successful candidate will contribute to innovative research with direct applications in conservation, agriculture, and environmental policy while building an internationally competitive research profile.
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