Student Research Assistant

Employment and Social Development Canada; Ottawa; On-site; CAD 35,000 - 53,000; Part time

Job summary

Environment and Climate Change Canada - Science and Technology Branch seeks a Student Research Assistant for the Research Affiliate Program in Ottawa. The role supports carbon dynamics research, using existing datasets and models to assess spruce budworm impacts on forest carbon balance.

Work includes data compilation, running simulations, result analysis, and manuscript preparation for peer review. The position is part-time (20–25 hours/week) from January 4, 2027, to March 31, 2027, with

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in MSc or PhD program in Biology, Forestry or Environmental Sciences at a Canadian University.
• Experience with the Carbon Budget Model for the Canadian Forest Sector (CBM-CFS3) or a closely related model.
• Experience working with forest inventory data in Quebec.
• Experience performing statistical analyses in R and/or Python.
• Experience conducting literature reviews.
• Experience writing, or contributing to, scientific documents, e.g., reports, theses, or articles in peer-reviewed journals.
• Experience managing, analyzing, and visualizing geospatial data using GIS software (ArcGIS, QGIS, GRASS) or via R/Python.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to research quantifying carbon impacts of spruce budworm outbreaks in managed forests.
• Use existing datasets and modeling frameworks to evaluate post-disturbance carbon dynamics.
• Determine time to carbon balance across varying mortality levels.
• Compile data, run simulations, analyze results, and prepare manuscripts for peer review.
• Limited travel may be involved.

Skills

Statistical analyses

Literature reviews

Scientific writing

Data visualization

Education

MSc or PhD in Biology/Forestry/Environmental Sciences

Tools

CBM-CFS3

ArcGIS

QGIS

GRASS

Python

R

Job description

Student Research Assistant - Research Affiliate Program

Environment and Climate Change Canada- Science and Technology Branch

Selection process number
26-DOE-NCR-EA-682632

Employment tenure
It is expected that the student will work 20-25 hours per week, January 4, 2027 (or depending on the candidate's availability or needs) to March 31, 2027

Salary
$25.17 to $38.38 per hour-varies per education and experience

Level
ST-UDE-NT

Who can apply
Persons residing in Canada and Canadian citizens residing abroad.To be considered for Research Affiliate Program (RAP) work opportunities, all candidates must meet the following eligibility criteria by the date of appointment:
- Be recognized as having full-time student status at an accredited Canadian post-secondary academic institution (this includes students with a disability deemed to have full-time status). Individuals pending approval of acceptance or in the process of submitting applications are encouraged to apply, as proof of enrollment will only be required prior to the start date.
- Be enrolled in an academic program that requires research as part of the curriculum.
- Be at least the minimum age to work in the province or territory where the job is located.

Duties
The student will contribute to research that will help quantify the carbon impacts of spruce budworm outbreaks in managed forests. They will use existing empirical datasets and modeling frameworks to evaluate post-disturbance carbon dynamics and determine the time to carbon balance across varying levels of mortality.This research aims to improve how natural disturbances are accounted for in Canada’s official GHG reporting for Forest Lands.Duties and responsibilities will include compiling existing data and knowledge, running simulations, analyzing results, and preparing a manuscript for peer review.Limited travel may be involved.The project will provide opportunities for the student to contribute to greenhouse gas monitoring and reporting and to work with a team of experts in geosciences, land use change, and forest science.

Work environment
The student will work with the Pollutant Inventory and Reporting Division of Environment and Climate Change Canada to support critical research on greenhouse gas emissions and removals in forest lands.

Your application must clearly explain how you meet the following

Education:

• Currently enrolled in a MSc or PhD program in Biology, Forestry or Environmental Sciences at a Canadian University.

Experience:

• Experience with the Carbon Budget Model for the Canadian Forest Sector (CBM-CFS3) or a closely related model.
• Experience working with forest inventory data in Quebec.
• Experience performing statistical analyses in R and/or Python.
• Experience conducting literature reviews.
• Experience writing, or contributing to, scientific documents, e.g., scientific reports, theses, or scientific articles in peer-reviewed journals.
• Experience managing, analyzing, and visualizing geospatial data, using common geographic information systems software (e.g., ArcGIS, QGIS, GRASS) or via programming and scripting languages such as R or Python. In the context of student recruitment in the Federal Public Service, the experience can be acquired through studies, work experience, or volunteer activities.

Applied / assessed at a later date

Knowledge:

• Knowledge of spruce budworm biology, epidemiology and related forest dynamics

Language requirements (essential for the job)

We're committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free work environment, starting with the hiring process. If you need to be accommodated during any phase of the evaluation process, please contact the hiring organization below to request specialized accommodation. All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.

The Public Service of Canada is committed to building a skilled and diverse workforce that reflects the population it serves. We promote employment equity and encourage you to self-declare if you belong to one of the designated employment equity groups when you apply.

Selection may be limited to members of the following employment equity groups: Indigenous (Aboriginal) peoples, persons with disabilities, visible minorities, and women.

Preference will be given to veterans first, followed by Canadian citizens and permanent residents, with the exception of jobs located in Nunavut or Yukon. For positions located in Nunavut, qualified Inuit enrolled under the Nunavut Agreement will be appointed first. For positions located in Yukon, qualified Yukon First Nations will be appointed first, followed by qualified Indigenous persons.

We'd like to thank all those who apply. However, only the people selected for further consideration will be contacted.