IISD Experimental Lakes Area (IISD-ELA) is the worlds freshwater laboratory. A series of 58 lakes and their watersheds in northwestern Ontario, Canada, IISD-ELA is the only place in the world where scientists can research on and manipulate real lakes to build a more accurate and complete picture of what human activity is doing to freshwater lakes. The findings from over 50 years of ground-breaking research have rewritten environmental policy around the worldfrom mitigating algal blooms to reducing how much mercury gets into our waterwaysand aim to keep fresh water clean around the world for generations to come.

IISD-ELA is operated by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD)an independent think tank headquartered in Winnipeg situated on Treaty 1 Territorythe ancestral lands of the Anishinaabe (Ojibwe), Ininiw (Cree), Anisininew (Ojibwe Cree), Dene, and Dakota Nations, and the homeland of the Red River Mtis Nation. The IISD-ELA field station is situated on the traditional land of the Anishinaabe Nation in Treaty 3 Territory and the homeland of the Mtis Nation.

About the position

IISD-ELA's In Situ Monitoring (ISM) Program manages a suite of instruments that monitor water quality parameters for whole-lake experiments and long-term ecological research. The Research Assistant (In Situ Monitoring) will assist the ISM Technician with labwork and fieldwork related to the calibration, repair, maintenance, deployment, and management of water quality monitoring instruments and sensors (e.g., WIZ nutrient probes, YSI multiparameter sondes, HOBO temperature and dissolved oxygen loggers, anemometers). The incumbent will also assist with the construction of remote field-based monitoring stations and the installation of dataloggers and telemetry equipment for real-time data transfer. Training in the use of in situ instrumentation and software will be provided; qualified individuals with an interest in expanding their knowledge and skillset are encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities

• Assist with the deployment and collection of instruments and data while following proper quality assurance and quality control measures.
• Assist with the calibration, maintenance, and repair of in situ instruments.
• Prepare reagents for instrument calibration and operation.
• Assist with the construction of sampling stations and wiring of dataloggers, instruments, and radio telemetry equipment.
• Record detailed and accurate field notes; enter field notes and perform quality assurance and quality control checks using Microsoft Excel.
• Use a variety of watercraft (e.g., boats with outboard motors, canoes) in remote areas.
• Operate field vehicles (e.g., ATVs, trucks) on highways, gravel roads, and trails.
• Other duties as assigned, including assisting other IISD-ELA research teams (Toxicology, Fish, Hydrology-limnology, Plankton Ecology, Chemistry Lab) with field sampling and laboratory analyses.

Qualifications

• Current enrolment in a university or college program leading to a degree in biology, ecology, environmental science, engineering, or a related discipline, or recent completion (December 2024April 2025) of such a degree.
• The ability to do fieldwork involving manual labour, such as hiking and lifting heavy objects (up to 25 kg/55 lb).
• A willingness to work long hours in diverse conditions (e.g., heat, cold, rain, snow, bugs).
• The ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
• A willingness to live in shared accommodations.
• Candidates must possess or be willing to obtain valid certifications for the following prior to the start of their term:
  • First Aid/CPR with AED
  • Pleasure Craft Operators card
  • Drivers licence
• IISD-ELA will require the completion of a criminal record check and vulnerable sector verification.

Asset Skills

• Experience working outdoors and/or working and living in remote locations.
• Work experience in environmental science or engineering.
• Knowledge of quality assurance and quality control measures for environmental data.
• Experience working with power tools, carpentry, or electronics.
• Proficiency with data analysis in Microsoft Excel and/or R.
• Experience operating watercraft with an outboard motor.
• Valid ATV certification.
• Ability to speak French and/or Ojibwe.

Work Conditions

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 athttps://www.iisd.org/ela/.

Term: The contract is for a full-time, 4-month position (Monday, May 5 to Friday, September 5, 2025) or 6-month position (Monday, May 5 to Friday, October 31, 2025).

Compensation:CAD 690 to 846 per week,depending on experience and education.

Application deadline: February 24, 2025 @ 16:00 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 (required; no longer than two pages)
• A cover letter (required; one page)
• IISD Voluntary Self-Identification Questionnaire (optional; right click to download)

Only those candidates we wish to interview will be contacted. Resumes will be kept on file for 1 year.

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. 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.

IISD does not discriminate on the basis of age, gender, caste, ethnicity, religion, colour, disability, marital status, pregnancy, gender expression or identity, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected status.

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