Research Biologist, Waterfowl and Conservation Science

Ducks; Stonewall; Hybrid; CAD 74,000 - 91,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

2 weeks vacation

Paid personal and sick days

Job summary

DUC is seeking a Research Biologist to conduct applied conservation research in waterfowl ecology, reporting to a Research Scientist. The role supports habitat conservation, restoration and planning across Canada and contributes to scientific manuscripts and outreach.

Starting salary is CAD 82,500 per year for a 35-hour week, with benefits. Location is primarily Oak Hammock Marsh near Stonewall, MB, with hybrid or remote options within Canada.

Qualifications

• MSc in ecology, wildlife biology, environmental science or related discipline.
• PhD is an asset and may be required for some roles.
• Strong statistical and GIS skills with proficiency in R and ArcGIS Pro.
• Excellent written and verbal communication in English.

Responsibilities

• Lead applied conservation research in waterfowl ecology.
• Publish research results and support conservation planning across Canada.
• Manage and analyze ecological and geospatial data.
• Develop science communication content for outreach and education.
• Collaborate with internal teams and external partners on research initiatives.

Skills

Statistics with R

GIS analysis

Scientific writing

English communication

Education

MSc in ecology or wildlife biology

PhD in ecology or related field

Tools

R

ArcGIS Pro

Job description

Research Biologist, Waterfowl and Conservation Science

Fixed Term FT w benefits Prof & Technical Flexible Location within Canada 1 Attachments

4 days ago Requisition ID: 1839

Position Details:Full Time, Vacant Position, One-year term
Starting Salary:$82,500 based on a 35-hour work week and commensurate with individual education and experience, as it relates to the position.
Location:Preferably based from our DUC head office located at Oak Hammock Marsh near Stonewall, MB, but may consider another hybrid or remote location within Canada
Closing Deadline: October 2, 2026 (11:59PM ET)

Who We Are

Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC), one of the nation’s leading conservation organizations, is a passionate community of people who believe that nature is the foundation of strong communities, a prosperous economy and a sustainable future that supports the hopes and dreams of the next generation. Together, we conserve and restore some of the most valuable and threatened landscapes on the planet.

What You Will Do

Reporting to a Research Scientist, the Research Biologist will conduct applied conservation research in waterfowl ecology and related fields aligned with the conservation mission of DUC and the objectives of the Institute for Wetland and Waterfowl Research (IWWR). The Research Biologist will lead in the analysis, publication, and communication of research results and contribute scientific support to DUC’s Conservation, Education, Fundraising, Policy, and Marketing and Communications teams. The position offers the opportunity to contribute to research that informs habitat conservation, restoration, and conservation planning across Canada.

Key responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Conducts research, normally overseen by a Research Scientist, on projects that mainly involve analytical, modelling, and/or geospatial components, but may involve field or laboratory components.
• Manages, analyzes, interprets, and archives ecological, geospatial, and other research data.
• Leads production of scientific manuscripts and research reports. Presents results to appropriate scientific forums and to DUC staff.
• Engages DUC conservation staff and external conservation partners in the development, interpretation, and application of research.
• Assists or leads research activities, including proposal development, fundraising, project coordination, budget administration, reporting to funders, collaboration with partners, and publication development.
• Develops and delivers science communication and outreach content, including presentations, popular articles, videos, educational materials, and other products that communicate research findings and support DUC's conservation objectives.

Requirements

• At least two years of experience designing, conducting, and publishing results of research, including demonstrated experience as a lead author on publications in peer-reviewed journals. Research experience can be in field or laboratory settings.
• M.Sc. degree in ecology, wildlife biology, environmental science, or a closely related discipline.
• Expertise in waterfowl and/or avian ecology.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English, including the ability to communicate complex scientific information to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Excellent relationship-building skills and a collaborative attitude.
• Strong statistical analysis skills, with proficiency with R.
• Proficiency in spatial analysis using ESRI software (e.g., ArcGIS Pro) or open-source platforms (e.g., R) for geospatial data management, visualization, and modeling.
• Ability to effectively work on complex and large projects with a high degree of independence and initiative, both as a project leader and as a collaborative team member.
• Agreeable to occasional day/overnight travel.

Assets

• Expertise in conservation biology, wetland ecology, grassland ecology, or boreal ecology.
• Experience working on conservation issues and with multi-investigator teams.
• Adaptability to work on a variety of topics.
• Ph.D. degree in ecology, wildlife biology, environmental science, or a closely related discipline.
• Bilingualism (English and French).

What We Offer

• 2 weeks’ vacation with paid personal and sick days

Attachments (1)

Research Biologist - Term - Sept 2026.pdf