Job Description

Under the general direction of, and in collaboration with researchers and faculty members, positions at this level apply extensive knowledge in their field to perform high-level, complex research activities, and will normally hold a Master\xe2\x80\x99s degree. Individuals with training beyond a Master\xe2\x80\x99s degree who have limited experience may also be appointed into this classification level.

Position Overview:

The candidate will supervise various research projects in close collaboration with the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) and the Assiniboine Park Conservancy (APC) to support the long-term recovery of two endangered prairie butterfly species in Manitoba. Specifically, the candidate will lead investigations into the current state of prairie habitat fragmentation in Manitoba, the efficacy of different prairie habitat management techniques, the dispersal abilities and habitat requirements of endangered prairie butterflies, the environmental drivers of butterfly population dynamics, and the selection of sites for reintroductions of captively-reared butterflies. The candidate will be an expert in landscape ecology, species distribution modeling, and wildlife habitat management with an intimate knowledge of prairie plant communities and ecosystems. The candidate will be expected to supervise several student projects (one PhD, one Masters, and one Honours), meet with NCC and APC staff on a regular basis, and travel to various regions of rural Manitoba for field data collection.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with researchers, conservation partners, and trainees to support reintroductions and population recovery of two endangered prairie butterfly species.
• Travel to field sites in southwestern, southcentral, and Interlake regions of Manitoba as needed to collect field data on habitat suitability and butterfly population dynamics.
• Use a combination of remotely-sensed datasets and field data to assess the distribution and quality of prairie habitat in Manitoba.
• Supervise students and summer field assistants through the development and completion of their research projects.
• Design and implement data collection and monitoring protocols in managed prairie sites.
• Recruit research participants, including graduate students and undergraduate summer field assistants.
• Conduct high-level and complex academic research and literature reviews.
• Collect and manage research data, conduct advanced analysis of research data, interpret research results, and document findings.
• Present project status and findings to conservation partners (NCC and APC) on a regular basis.
• Organize and participate in seminars, community meetings, special events, and other forms of public engagement.
• Identify and assist in securing funding opportunities; prepare and submit reports to funding agencies as required.
• Manage the administration of research funds as required.

Qualifications:

• Master\xe2\x80\x99s degree required; PhD in ecology and/or environmental conservation (or a related discipline) preferred.
• Experience conducting independent research.
• Experience leading research projects and supervising student projects.
• Advanced skills in data analysis and interpretation, including geospatial data analysis.
• Advanced plant identification skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Willing to travel to rural Manitoba to collect field data.
• Experience writing technical reports and peer-reviewed articles.

Condition(s) of Employment:

• Must be legally entitled to work in Canada.

This position is eligible for extended health benefits, including pension.

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.

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