Research Assistant

IISD Experimental Lakes Area (IISD-ELA), near Kenora, Ontario

IISD Experimental Lakes Area (IISD-ELA) is one of the world’s most influential freshwater research facilities. It features a collection of 58 small lakes and their watersheds in northwestern Ontario, Canada. For over 50 years, scientists at IISD-ELA have conducted whole-ecosystem experiments and made significant scientific discoveries related to issues such as acid rain, mercury from air pollution, algal blooms, and pharmaceutical chemicals in water. The facility is operated by the International Institute for Sustainable Development—an independent think tank headquartered in Winnipeg on Treaty 1 territory, the traditional land of Anishinaabeg, Cree, Ojibwe-Cree, Dakota, and Dene Peoples, and homeland of the Métis Nation.

IISD-ELA acknowledges that its research facility is located on Treaty 3 lands, and the care of these lands during experimentation and restoration to their original state is implicit in its mission. Many regional schools come to the facility to learn more about the science of aquatic ecosystems and how humans serve a role in sharing and working with one another to protect these resources.

About the Position

The IISD-ELA Chemistry Program provides chemical data on water samples to various research programs. Under the direction of the IISD-ELA Chemist, the Research Assistant will be responsible for assisting with the analysis of chemical constituents in aquatic samples from IISD-ELA. The research assistant will work with other technical staff at IISD-ELA to ensure research and facility operations are conducted and completed efficiently.

Responsibilities

• Assisting with the analysis of samples from IISD-ELA lakes and streams, including:
  • Preparing and analyzing samples for nutrients, ions, and other aquatic analytes using auto analyzers, spectrophotometers, fluorometers, chromatographs, and various analytical devices
  • Entering data into databases (LIMS, Microsoft Excel, Access, etc.)
  • Assisting with the collection of samples in the field
  • Performing quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) protocols to ensure the quality of IISD-ELA data.
• Communicating and interacting with IISD-ELA staff, collaborators, and the public to provide specific advice and general education about environmental issues.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Obtained or working on a degree from a recognized university in chemistry, microbiology, environmental science, or another related field.

• Experience with and knowledge of methods for the analysis of nutrients, ions, and other aquatic analytes found in fresh waters.

• Experience with analytical instrumentation and software.

• Experience collecting or working with water chemistry data from lakes and streams.

• Experience working in an analytical laboratory using QA/QC protocols, Standard Operating Procedures, and method validation procedures.

• Proficiency with computer software (e.g., Microsoft Access, Excel, R, etc.).

• Knowledge of safety issues and procedures used in an analytical laboratory.

• Ability to communicate well, both verbally and in writing.

• Ability to maintain equipment and instrumentation in good working order and troubleshoot non-conforming performance.

• Ability to organize the laboratory workload.

• Ability to work independently and as a member of a team.

• Must be willing to work long hours in diverse weather conditions.

• Must be willing to live in shared accommodations and to share cooking responsibilities with co-workers as required.

• Candidates must possess or be willing to obtain valid certifications for the following prior to the start of their term:

  • First Aid/CPR certificate
  • Pleasure Craft Operators Card
  • Driver’s licence

Asset skills

• Experience with laboratory information management systems.
• Experience supervising assistants, delegating tasks, and ensuring the quality and integrity of data.
• Experience operating small motorized vessels with an outboard motor.
• Valid ATV certification.
• Ability to speak French and/or Ojibwe.

Work Conditions

The successful applicant will be required to have full vaccination against COVID-19. This is a condition of employment due to the congregated living aspect of the facility and no teleworking being possible.

IISD-ELA provides on-site living accommodations and food. Accommodations include a bedroom (may be shared or individual), shared washrooms, and lounge areas. Bed linens and laundry facilities are provided on-site. Transportation to and from the field research station to Kenora and Winnipeg will be available on weekends. Occasional weekend transportation to and from Thunder Bay is a possibility as well. More information about the IISD Experimental Lakes Area organization and our research facility can be found at https://www.iisd.org/ela/.

Term: The contract is for a full-time, 4-month position (Monday, May 1 to Friday, September 1, 2023) or a full-time, 7-month position (Monday, May 1 to Friday, December 1, 2023).

Compensation: CAD 637 to 835 per week, depending on experience and education.

Application deadline: Monday, February 20, 2023, at 8:00 a.m. CST.

Application Procedure

All submissions must be in English. Accommodations for job applicants with disabilities are available on request.

Candidates must hold appropriate work authorization for Canada.

Applications will only be accepted through Bamboo HR.

Please include the following:

• A CV (no longer than two pages)
• A cover letter (one page)
• IISD Voluntary Self-Identification Questionnaire (optional)

Resumes will be kept on file for 1 year.

IISD has implemented a COVID-19 vaccination policy that requires employees who are required or choose to be at an office or participate in in-person team events or in-person meetings/events to be fully vaccinated. Anyone unable to be fully vaccinated, either because of a sincerely held religious belief or a medical condition or a disability that prevents them from being fully vaccinated, can request a reasonable accommodation.

IISD is committed to fostering a more equitable and sustainable world and welcomes candidates who uphold our values of diversity, equity, and inclusion. In addition, to correct the conditions of social injustice and disadvantage in employment around the world, we encourage candidates from historically marginalized groups, including women, Indigenous Peoples, people with disabilities, people from different racial and ethnic backgrounds, and those who identify themselves as 2SLGBTQIA+ to apply for this position. Preference will be given to the equity-deserving groups during the hiring process. We offer reasonable accommodations in our recruitment process and seek applicants' advice on how best to accommodate their needs. Please self-identify and answer our employment equity questionnaire on our applicant tracking system when you apply.

Additional Fellowship Opportunity

We’re proud to announce the 2nd annual Dr. David Schindler IISD-ELA Undergraduate Student Fellowship in honour of his incredible legacy in freshwater research.

The fellowship will be awarded to a student who demonstrates a passion for freshwater science and a strong interest in field research. They will receive CAD 2,000 in addition to their student salary for the summer and will be promoted in our communications (including in the annual report, on social media, etc.). Preference will be given to students who self-identify as Indigenous.

If you are interested in being considered for the Dr. David Schindler IISD-ELA Undergraduate Student Fellowship in addition to this position, please confirm your interest below and submit a 500-word essay answering this question: “What does the legacy of David Schindler and IISD Experimental Lakes Area mean to you as a budding environmental scientist?” at this link.

The deadline for the essay is Friday, March 17, 2023, at 11:59 p.m. CST.