Research Assistant (Fish)

International Institute for Sustainable Development; Northwestern Ontario; On-site; CAD 30,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent environmental research organization is seeking a motivated Research Assistant (Fish) to support field-based research on fish ecology at their facility in Northwestern Ontario. The successful candidate will assist with data collection and various ecological monitoring tasks. Candidates should be enrolled in relevant degree programs or recent graduates, with an emphasis on teamwork and outdoor skills. This is a seasonal position from May to September 2026, offering comprehensive housing and food provisions during the work term.

Benefits

Accommodation provided

Food included

Qualifications

• Recent enrollment or completion in a relevant degree program.
• Willingness to work long hours in diverse conditions.
• Ability to perform manual labor in remote fields.

Responsibilities

• Assist in fish ecology research and data collection.
• Conduct laboratory tasks including dissections and sample preservation.
• Perform broadscale monitoring surveys of remote lakes.

Skills

Teamwork

Fieldwork

Heavy lifting

Outdoor skills

Technical skills in ecology

Data analysis

Education

Degree in biology, ecology, environmental sciences

Tools

Microsoft Access

Microsoft Excel

Outboard motorboats

All-terrain vehicles

Job description

IISD Experimental Lakes Area (IISD‑ELA) is the world’s 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 world—from mitigating algal blooms to reducing how much mercury gets into our waterways—and 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 Territory—the ancestral lands of the Anishinaabe (Ojibwe), Ininiw (Cree), Anisininew (Ojibwe Cree), Dene, and Dakota Nations, and the homeland of the Red River Métis 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 Métis Nation.

About the position

We are seeking a motivated Research Assistant (Fish) who will spend the 2026 field season at the IISD‑ELA research facility to assist with field‑based research on fish ecology. The successful candidate will be involved in data collection for whole‑ecosystem experiments and our long‑term ecological monitoring program. The incumbent will participate in field activities related to fish capture, population estimation (via mark‑recapture), morphometry, non‑lethal collection of samples to assess various parameters (e.g., age, diet, contaminants, etc.), habitat characterization, behaviour, and lethal broad‑scale monitoring efforts, among other projects. The work of the Fish Crew is highly seasonal, with intensive mark‑recapture efforts in spring and fall and a range of other tasks during the summer months.

Responsibilities

• Work with a small crew of researchers to maintain the IISD‑ELA fish research program in 2026.
• Collect, identify, measure, and mark small‑ and large‑bodied fish species in experimental and reference lakes.
• Perform laboratory tasks, including fish dissections, tissue sampling, ageing‑structure preparation, diet analysis, and sample preservation.
• Conduct broadscale monitoring surveys of remote lakes, including bathymetry and collection of biological/chemical/physical data and samples.
• Download data from various data‑logging devices.
• Perform profiles of lakes using multi‑parameter field instruments.
• Enter field notebook data and perform quality assurance/quality control checks using Microsoft Access and Excel.
• Use a variety of watercraft, including canoes, inflatable boats, and boats with outboard motors.
• Construct, install, and maintain field and laboratory equipment as needed.
• Operate field vehicles (i.e., ATVs, trucks, vans) on highways and gravel roads.
• Occasionally assist other field crews.
• Assist with education and outreach efforts as they concern the Fish Crew (e.g., Fish Lab tours and demonstrations, artist‑in‑residence field trips, field courses, etc.) and media/communications requests for online materials.
• Work and correspond with technicians, biologists, scientists, and external project collaborators who are seasonally located both on‑ and off‑site.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Enrollment in a university or college program leading to a degree in biology, ecology, environmental sciences/studies, or a related discipline, or recent completion (December 2025 to April 2026) of such a degree.
• A keen and hard‑working individual who can work as part of a team.
• The ability to work safely in a remote field environment.
• The ability to do fieldwork involving manual labour, such as hiking and lifting heavy objects (up to 25 kg/55 lbs).
• Willingness to work long hours in diverse conditions (e.g., hot, cold, rain, snow, biting insects, etc.).
• Willingness to work on weekends during intensive spring and fall sampling periods, with compensatory time off.
• Willingness to live in a remote location for up to six months in shared accommodations.
• Candidates must possess the ability to obtain valid certifications prior to the start of their term: First Aid/CPR with AED; Full driver’s licence; Pleasure Craft Operator’s card.
• IISD‑ELA will require the completion of a criminal record check and vulnerable sector verification.

Asset Skills

• Experience working outdoors and/or in remote locations.
• Experience living in shared accommodations.
• Work experience in environmental sciences.
• Knowledge of field sampling and/or fish identification and dissection.
• Experience operating small, motorized vessels with outboard motors.
• Experience and/or training in the use of all‑terrain vehicles.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Access, Excel, Outlook, and Teams.
• Ability to speak French and/or Ojibwe.

Work Conditions

The IISD‑ELA research site is located remotely in northwestern Ontario, off the Trans‑Canada Highway 17, at the end of a 30 km gravel road (maintained, with restricted access). Transportation to and from the field station to Kenora and Winnipeg will be available on weekends. The IISD‑ELA provides on‑site living accommodations and food. Accommodations include a shared bedroom, gender‑inclusive showers and toilets, and common lounge areas. Bed linens and laundry facilities are provided on‑site.

There will be ~60 students, staff, and researchers living and working at the IISD‑ELA research station over the course of the field season, with our Education & Relations team supporting additional day tours and overnight field trips/courses, along with our Communications team arranging media presence (i.e., photographers, videographers, and journalists) at the site. Currently under construction is our Centre for Climate and Lake Learning, which also involves numerous building professionals, materials, and equipment coming to and working on the site.

More information about the IISD Experimental Lakes Area organization and our research facility can be found at https://www.iisd.org/ela/.

Term

Contract is for a full‑time 4‑month position (Monday, May 4 to Friday, September 4, 2026) or 7‑month position (Monday, May 4 to Friday, December 4, 2026).

Compensation

CAD $726.06 to $1,119.75 per week, depending on experience and education. Food and accommodations are included while working on site.

Employment Type

Existing position (recurring seasonal role).

Application deadline

Monday, February 2, 2026, at 8:00 am 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)

Resumes will be kept on file for one 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. 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 when you apply.

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