Research Assistant (Plankton Ecology Group)

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

Job summary

A leading environmental research organization in northwestern Ontario is seeking a Research Assistant for summer 2026. The role involves field sampling and laboratory analyses, supporting ecology programs and gaining hands-on experience. Candidates should have a background in biology or environmental sciences, a willingness to work in diverse conditions, and must obtain necessary certifications. The position includes shared accommodations and meals at the research site.

Benefits

Shared accommodations

On-site meals

Remote work experience

Qualifications

• Keen and hard-working.
• Must lift heavy objects (up to 50 lbs).
• Willing to work long hours in diverse conditions.

Responsibilities

• Conduct field sampling and data collection for limnological parameters.
• Assist in laboratory experiments and data entry.
• Operate field vehicles and watercraft.

Skills

Field sampling

Laboratory analysis

Data entry

Teamwork

Manual labor

Organizational skills

Education

Enrollment in biology or environmental sciences program

Tools

Microsoft Excel

LIMS

ArcGIS

Job description

Overview

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

The Research Assistant will be involved in conducting field sampling and laboratory analyses for the Autotrophic Ecology and Invertebrate Ecology programs at the IISD-ELA research facility in northwestern Ontario, Canada. The Research Assistant will primarily assist the Food Web Biologist with their field and laboratory efforts at the ELA site, gaining experience in methodology in both limnology and food web dynamics. The incumbent may also assist with data analysis and data entry.

Responsibilities

• Collecting and preserving samples and data for a variety of limnological parameters, including water quality, phytoplankton, and zooplankton.
• Collecting, preserving, and preparing algae and invertebrate samples.
• Operating various field vehicles (all-terrain vehicles, trucks, vans) on highways and gravel roads.
• Using a variety of watercraft, including boats with outboard motors and canoes.
• Completing detailed and accurate field notes.
• Assisting in laboratory experiments (e.g., algal photosynthesis).
• Entering data into databases (including Microsoft Excel, LIMS, Aquarius, ArcGIS).
• May occasionally be required to assist other teams (fish, chem lab, hydrolimnology, toxicology) with field sampling and laboratory analyses.
• May occasionally be required to assist on various projects (microplastics, oil spill, etc.) with field sampling and laboratory analyses.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Enrollment in a university or college program leading to a degree in biology or environmental sciences.
• Keen and hard-working.
• Ability to do fieldwork involving manual labour, such as hiking and lifting heavy objects (up to 50 lbs).
• Willing to work long hours in diverse conditions (e.g., hot, cold, rain, buggy).
• Ability to work safely in a remote field environment that requires flexibility and teamwork.
• Interested/willing to live in a remote location for up to 4 months 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 Operator’s card
  • Driver’s licence
• IISD-ELA will require the completion of a criminal record check and vulnerable sector verification.

Asset Skills

• Work experience in environmental sciences.
• Knowledge of field sampling/water quality or limnological sampling.
• Experience operating small motorized vessels with an outboard motor and all-terrain vehicles.
• Experience working in a laboratory setting.
• Organizational skills.
• Proficiency with R, Microsoft Excel and Access.
• 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 30km 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 asharedbedroom, gender-inclusive showersandtoilets, andcommonlounge areas. Bed linensand 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 theIISD 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 position from May to August or May to November, 2026.

Compensation:CAD $726.06 to $1,119.75 per week, depending on experience and education.

Employment Type:Existing position (recurring seasonal role)

Application deadline: February 6, 2026 @ 8:00 AM CST.

Application Procedure

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

Candidates must holdappropriate workauthorization 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 foroneyear.

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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