Job Description

Description:

*This posting will be used to hire 3 positions*

Research Assistants are normally students, in a University of Winnipeg undergraduate program, employed to assist with tasks related to research. Work is performed within defined guidelines and under supervision of a more senior researcher or faculty member.

Position Overview:

We are hiring research assistants to collect data on endangered bat species in Canada.

Projects vary and include studying bats at maternity colonies and caves/mines scattered throughout Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Ontario. Part of the job (the most fun part) will be capturing, measuring, radiotracking, and releasing bats. You will also be maintaining equipment, working with electronic sensors, and organizing samples and data (less fun, but a necessary part of research).

You will primarily be camping and away from Winnipeg for periods of up to 3-4 weeks at a time. You can expect to go on 3 or 4 of these trips throughout the summer. Field work may take place anywhere from southern Saskatchewan to northern Manitoba to northwestern Ontario. We travel a lot, so it is important that you are comfortable driving for long periods on highways, in the city, and on rural gravel roads, during the day or night. We also spend long hours in the bush tracking bats.

The period of work will be between June 15, 2023 - September 30, 2023, although some positions may end on August 31, 2023, for those who are unavailable to work in September.

Please provide a cover letter along with your resume indicating:

1) Why you are interested in this position
2) How you meet the requirements below and any additional assets you may have

Resumes submitted without a cover letter will not be considered. Please include contact information for two references with your application.

Duties:

• Capturing, handling, and measuring bats
• Field research such as bat counts and radiotracking in forests and other habitats
• Prepare and organize field equipment and supplies for field research
• Distribute, monitor, and maintain bat acoustic recorders
• Assist with installation and maintenance of radiotelemetry equipment and microchip monitors
• Assist with data organization, management, and analysis
• Engage with the public and communicate with landowners
• Create content for social media
• Outreach activities such as presentations, both online and in person

Qualifications:

• Currently enrolled or have completed degree in biology or related major
• Attention to detail and highly organized
• Class 5 driver\xe2\x80\x99s license
• Willingness to work days and/or nights and weekends, potentially away from Winnipeg for extended periods of time (Up to 4 weeks at a time)
• Willingness to work outdoors in all weather conditions
• Ability to lift up to 30 lbs
• Ability to work alone and in a group
• Great communication skills, both written and verbal
• Highly motivated and ability to work with minimal supervision
• Other assets (but not requirements) include:

- Rabies vaccination (required to be able to handle bats; will be provided)
- Experience handling bats
- Experience working with mist nets
- Experience with camping and hiking in bear country
- Interest/experience in electronics maintenance
- Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint
- Familiarity with R

Condition(s) of Employment:

• Must be legally entitled to work in Canada.

The period of work will be from June 12, 2023 - September 29, 2023 and the estimated total hours of work will be 375 - 600 hours.

Note: This position is represented by the Public Service Alliance of Canada - Research Capacity Unit.

Note: The work described in this posting will be conducted in-person.

The University of Winnipeg is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion and recognizes that a diverse staff and faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research environments, and is essential to academic and institutional excellence. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals and encourage women, racialized persons, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, and 2SLGBTQ+ persons to confidentially self-identify at time of application.

The University of Winnipeg is committed to ensuring employment opportunities are accessible for all applicants. If you require accommodation supports during the recruitment process, please contact human_resources@uwinnipeg.ca.

The personal information of applicants is collected under the authority of the University of Winnipeg Act and 36(1)(b) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. All personal information collected via the recruitment process is used to assess the applicant\xe2\x80\x99s suitability, eligibility, and qualifications for employment, and to otherwise support recruitment activities. This information will be provided to participating members of the recruitment process. Questions regarding the collection of your personal information may be directed to the Director, HR Services, 515 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, MB, R3B 2E9 or human_resources@uwinnipeg.ca.

The University of Winnipeg has a Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination Policy that requires all those coming to designated indoor campus spaces to provide proof they are fully vaccinated. The Policy was suspended effective May 2, 2022. However, prospective employees should know that the Policy may be reinstated in the future based on changing public health circumstances.

University of Winnipeg