Job Description

Staff - Non Union

Job Category Non Union Technicians and Research Assistants

Job Profile Non Union Salaried - Research Assistant /Technician 3

Job Title SoilRes 3 Research Assistant

Department Research Support | Cornelis Research Group | Applied Biology Program | Faculty of Land and Food Systems

Compensation Range $3,982.67 - $4,703.83 CAD Monthly

Posting End Date August 17, 2023

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the day prior to the Posting End Date above.

Job End Date Dec 31, 2023

This position is expected to be filled by promotion/reassignment and is included here to inform you of its vacancy at the University.

Job Summary
The Research Assistant in SoilRes3 Lab will: 1) oversee fieldwork and monitor experimental trials and collect soil and plant samples, and 2) coordinate lab work (setting up the new CFI equipment, organizing the schedule of the use of the CFI equipment, developing lab protocols and managing the database of the research results obtained using the CFI equipment).

Organizational Status
The Research Assistant will closely collaborate with the graduate students of the SoilRes3 Lab, by assisting students with fieldwork and lab experiments, under the supervision of Dr. Cornelis. The Research Assistant will be a key lab member in facilitating the communication between all the researchers.

Work Performed

Provides training and advice to graduate students on experiment design and technique development.

Participates in experiment development, and researches, coordinates and performs regular field sampling for several research projects (Forest2Farm, RISE, Climate smart soil-root interactions), as well as processing soil and plant samples for further physicochemical analyses performed in the lab by the graduate students. The Research Assistant is also involved in discussing, under the supervision of the lab\xe2\x80\x99s PI, the research results obtained by the graduate students.

Maintains the CFI equipment installed in the SoilRes3 Lab, and coordinates, under the leadership of the lab\xe2\x80\x99s PI, the use of the equipment by the graduate students.

Consequence of Error/Judgement

The Research Assistant is expected to perform complex technical tasks requiring a good knowledge of the procedures in the SoilRes3 lab and in the Soil Science MSc and PhD Program at the Faculty of Land and Food Systems.

The Research Assistant may troubleshoot day-to-day problems related to fieldwork and lab experiments. Here are some examples of situations requiring the position to exercise judgement: questions related to the design of experiments (how many replicates do I need to implement a statistically robust trial? How do I have to integrate the variability of soil properties in my experiment), providing some scientific guidance when the graduate students are facing experimental issues (what type of irrigation system do you recommend to collect soil rhizosphere solutions?), problems with lab and field materials reservation by the graduate students, students\xe2\x80\x99 questions about where to find lab and field materials, problems related to laboratory safety rules and procedures, investigating the best option for purchasing supplies.

Dr. Cornelis is available to provide guidance and advice when the Research Assistant must exercise judgement. While the work may be of a complex nature, tasks are assigned and the Research Assistant plans and schedules their own work.

Supervision Received

The position is under the supervision of Dr. Cornelis who provides detailed instructions on the assignment of new duties and on new or unusual problems. The Research Assistant will meet with the PI on a weekly basis for consultation and discussion of research progress and issues.

Dr. Cornelis\xe2\x80\x99s training approach involves tailoring scientific methodology to each highly qualified personnel (HQP) while guiding them through the interpretation and dissemination of data with critical thinking, effective scientific communication, and the use of good outreach programs. His role is also to create a stimulating work environment (open-minded, inclusive, collaborative, and interdisciplinary) that will spark creative thought in looking beyond specific, short-term research objectives. After HQPs have received thorough and solid training in their respective research areas, Dr. Cornelis\xe2\x80\x99s role is to stimulate connections between ideas and to have HQPs see that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

Supervision Given

The Research Assistant will be involved in assisting three research projects:

Forest2Farm (1 MSc student and 1 Postdoc researcher)

RISE (1 undergraduate student and 1 MSc student)

ROOTS (2 PhD student and 1 undergraduate student)

The RA will be directly involved in the supervision of one research project (Forest2Farm; 1 MSc student) together with the supervision of field and lab tasks mentioned in the \xe2\x80\x9cWork Performed\xe2\x80\x9d section.

Minimum Qualifications
Completion of a relevant technical program or a university degree in a relevant discipline and a minimum three years of related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Preferred Qualifications

A graduate degree in a relevant soil and environmental science discipline

Knowledge requirements in soil science, environmental sciences, agriculture and land management.

Minimum of 2 years of related experience, or the equivalent combination of education and experience

Minimum 2 years of experience in implementing and monitoring fieldwork.

Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills.

Ability to work independently and within a team environment.

Strong verbal and written communication skills.

University of British Columbia