Aquatic Field and Lab Technician, Zoology

Monassemblee; Outaouais; On-site; CAD 65,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Public service benefits

Pension plans

Competitive salary

Job summary

The Canadian Museum of Nature invites applications for an Aquatic Field and Lab Technician, Zoology, stationed in Gatineau (NHC). The role supports ichthyology, malacology, and molecular biodiversity labs, with fieldwork in Gatineau Park and the Ottawa River watershed. English or French required; bilingual a plus.

Qualifications include a B.Sc. or higher in Biology or related field, a valid driver’s license, and 2+ years’ aquatic field experience with freshwater fishes.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years of experience in aquatic fieldwork involving freshwater fishes.
• Experience leading a field team and handling diverse collection equipment (electrofishing, nets, traps, angling).
• Experience identifying freshwater fishes of Quebec and Ontario; boating and swimming proficiency.
• Experience with microscopes and field/lab photography; computer use with MS 365.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical assistance with aquatic field work and lab work related to fish and mussel surveys.
• Assist with eDNA sample collection and manage field/lab logistics.
• Support fish-mussel connection studies and work in CMN labs (malacology, ichthyology).
• Contribute to field team leadership and safety in Gatineau Park and Ottawa River watershed areas.

Skills

Fieldwork experience

Lead a field team

Fish identification (Quebec/Ontario)

Boating experience

Swimming

Microscopes (compound & dissecting)

Field photography

Computers - MS 365

eDNA collection

GIS experience

Statistical software (R, Primer)

Image editing (Photoshop/Illustrator)

Education

B.Sc. or higher in Biology or related field

Driver's license

Tools

GIS

R

Primer

Adobe Photoshop

Adobe Illustrator

Job description

Aquatic Field and Lab Technician, Zoology

Canadian Museum of Nature

Ville: Gatineau

Salaire: ME-04 - $65, 436 to $79,533 per year

ME-04 – $65, 436 to $79,533 per year

Temporary Full-time position (37.5 hours per week) from May until December 2026.

Work Location : Natural Heritage Campus (NHC) – Gatineau, QC

Selection process number: 2090-CMN-26-OC-013

Your place at the Museum

We value diversity and believe we benefit from working in a place where everyone feels included and where the unique qualities and strengths inherent in a diverse workforce are combined. We welcome applications from persons who may identify as a member of one or more other equity seeking groups (for e.g. women, visible minorities, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, 2SLGBTQIA+, religious or cultural minority).

You have a place at the Museum!

About the position

Under the direction and supervision of the Ichthyology Research Scientist with co-supervision by the Malacology Research Scientist and Aquatic Zoology Research Assistant, the position mainly involves technical assistance with aquatic field work and lab work related to fish and mussel surveys, the fish-mussel connection, and eDNA sample collection. The fieldwork will primarily be conducted in Gatineau Park, with additional possible work in other regions of the Ottawa River watershed. The laboratory work will take place in the malacology, ichthyology, and potentially molecular biodiversity laboratories at the CMN’s Natural Heritage Campus.

Working at the museum means:

• Contributing to an engaging mission as well as exciting projects and challenges
• An inclusive, friendly and safe work environment
• A competitive salary established by collective agreements
• Access to federal public service group insurance and pension plans

Eligibility criteria

This position is open to all Employees of the Canadian Museum of Nature and any members of the public who meet the qualifications below.

• Candidates must be legally entitled to work in Canada.

Education and training:

• B.Sc. or an advanced degree in Biology or a related field (e.g., Zoology, Ecology, Environmental Science, Aquatic Science, etc.), or a demonstrated equivalent combination of experience, education, and training;
• Possession of a valid driver’s license is also essential.

Language requirements:

• English or French essential;
• Bilingual (English/French) is an asset

Experience:

• Minimum 2 years of experience in participating in aquatic fieldwork involving freshwater fishes
• Minimum 2 years of experience in capture and handling a diversity of freshwater fishes, including multiple kinds of collection equipment (e.g., electrofishing, nets, traps, angling)
• Experience leading a field team
• Experience with identifying freshwater fishes of Quebec and Ontario
• Experience with boating (e.g., canoe, motorboat)
• Experience with swimming
• Experience with compound and dissecting microscopes
• Experience with photography in the field and laboratory
• Experience in the operation of computers in a scientific environment, including use of common business software (e.g., Microsoft 365 suite)

Assets:

• Electrofishing certification
• Experience with snorkeling
• First Aid and CPR certification, particularly Wilderness First Aid
• Experience with participating in aquatic fieldwork involving freshwater mussels
• Experience with identifying freshwater molluscs of Quebec and Ontario
• Experience in capture and handling of freshwater mussels, including collection equipment and survey techniques (e.g., aquascope, quadrats, sediment sifting)
• Experience locating glochidia on fish gills
• Experience with environmental DNA (eDNA)
• Experience with natural history museums and their collections
• Experience with geographic information systems (GIS)
• Experience in the use of statistical software, such as R, Primer, etc.
• Experience with Adobe PhotoShop, Adobe Illustrator, or other image editing programs for the design of publication-quality figures

Conditions of employment

The position will be primarily fieldwork, so physical stamina is important. The candidate who is offered the position must sign a confirmation that they are fit for fieldwork and also successfully complete a Wilderness First Aid training course at the museum’s expense, if not already certified, as a condition of employment.

The Canadian Museum of Nature is committed to inclusive and barrier-free selection processes and work environments. If you are invited to participate in the selection process, we encourage you to advise us of any accommodation you may require. This information will be treated as confidential.

The Statement of Qualifications, providing greater detail about the skills, knowledge and aptitudes needed for this role, can be obtained by contacting the Museum at [e-mail].