Job Description

The Faculty of Agriculture, Dalhousie University is a small research-intensive campus located in Truro, NS. Offering technical, undergraduate and graduate programs in agriculture, environment and related life and social science disciplines, the Faculty of Agriculture educates future leaders and generates knowledge and innovative solutions for healthy, sustainable societies. Reporting to the Principal Investigator, the Research Assistant supports the Innovative Waste Management (IWM) Laboratory's data-driven environmental research by developing, maintaining, and troubleshooting systems that collect, manage, and visualize field and lab data in a multidisciplinary research environment.
Key Responsibilities

• Work with existing IWM members to understand research requirements and parameters, and subsequently organize research data for accessibility, filtering, and analytics in relation to a national digital soil database and spectroscopy library.
• Support the deployment and maintenance of food waste tracking scales (e.g. Internet of Things-enabled smart scales). Provide quality assurance support for research instrument components. This includes assisting in sensor calibration, wiring, soldering, and embedded programming (Arduino/C).
• Configure Amazon Web Services components (Simple Storage Service, DynamoDB, Lambda) to collect and store sensor data. Maintain cloud-based repositories for structured environmental data.
• Participate in sample collection (soil, gas) and processing. Support calibration and deployment of sensors at experimental field sites. Assist graduate students and team members in field logistics and quality control.
• Build Python scripts to convert, clean, and analyze CO? and environmental data. Convert R scripts into Python for development of digital soil mapping resources and models.

Note
The incumbent must be available to work flexible and irregular hours including overtime, weekends and holidays as required to complete time sensitive tasks. Scheduling and compensation will be in accordance with the collective agreement.
The incumbent occasionally will work with circuit wiring, and occasionally be exposed to loud equipment and dust. As well, they will be exposed to inclement weather and a range of field conditions periodically during field season (approximately April to November).
Due to operational requirements, the successful applicant is required to work in-person on campus.
Required Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or related field plus approximately one year's relevant experience (or equivalent combination of training and experience).
• Experience working with Python, Amazon Web Services Console, HTML/CSS/JS, GitHub, Excel, Arduino, and Raspberry Pi.
• Excellent attention to detail and high level of accuracy with the ability to work independently.
• Strong teamwork and communication (written and verbal) skills, adaptability and a growth mindset.
• Ability to lift and move soil samples between 5 to 10 kg on a regular basis, as well as to walk up to approximately 1 km occasionally during field season (approximately April to November).

Assets

• Awareness of soil and environmental research data types and data management.

Job Competencies
The successful candidate is expected to demonstrate proficiency in Dalhousie's core competencies (https://www.dal.ca/dept/leaders.html), in particular:
- Self-Awareness & Professionalism
- Integrity
- Adaptability
- Knowledge & Thinking Skills
- Communication
Additional Information
Dalhousie University supports a healthy and balanced lifestyle. Our total compensation package includes a defined benefit pension plan, health and dental plans, an employee and family assistance program, and a tuition assistance program.
Application Consideration
Bargaining unit employees for NSGEU local 77 are given first consideration and will be notified regarding the status of their application. All other applicants will be considered when there is no qualified internal candidate.
We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.
Diversity Statement
Dalhousie University commits to achieving inclusive excellence through continually championing equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. The university encourages applications from Indigenous Peoples of Turtle Island (especially Mi'kmaq), persons of Black/African descent (especially African Nova Scotians), and members of other racialized groups, persons with disabilities, women, persons identifying as members of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, and all candidates who would contribute to the diversity of our community. In accordance with our Employment Equity Policy, preference will be given in hiring processes to candidates who self-identify as members of one or more of the equity-deserving groups listed above. For more information, including details related to our Employment Equity Policy and Plan and definitions of equity-deserving groups please visit
If you require any support for the purpose of accommodation, such as technical aids or alternative arrangements, please let us know of these needs and how we can be of assistance. Dalhousie University is committed to ensuring all candidates have full, fair, and equitable participation in the hiring process. Our complete Accommodation Policy can be viewed .
Posting Detail Information
Number of Vacancies One (1)
Open Date 10/08/2025
Close Date 10/17/2025
Open Until Filled No
Special Instructions to Applicant
Quick Link for Direct Access to Posting
Supplemental Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
Documents Needed to Apply
Required Documents * Resume / Curriculum Vitae (CV)
Optional Documents * Cover Letter

Skills Required